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Slutmonkey57b · 22-09-2007, 09:55

People don't refer to themselves as anything, they just quietly fit themselves in. And if you don't think the Irish have class distinctions before the celtic tiger, you're blind. The difference between the Irish and English is that the Irish like to pretend they're egalitarian and down-to-earth. They're not, and never have been.

**Andy Carroll** · 22-09-2007, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slutmonkey57b

People don't refer to themselves as anything, they just quietly fit themselves in. And if you don't think the Irish have class distinctions before the celtic tiger, you're blind. The difference between the Irish and English is that the Irish like to pretend they're egalitarian and down-to-earth. They're not, and never have been.

Yes, we pretend it very well.

The irish are down to earth, most of us, that's what I enjoy about the country. It's what makes us very differerent to the English and the Americans, but similar to Australians, in my experiences.

It's why I always look forward to getting home.

Slutmonkey57b · 22-09-2007, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-Rigger

Yes, we pretend it very well.

The irish are down to earth, most of us, that's what I enjoy about the country. It's what makes us very differerent to the English and the Americans, but similar to Australians, in my experiences.

It's why I always look forward to getting home.

Lowest common denominator is not the same as "down to earth". The Irish are very down to earth - provided you fit in with the status quo. Anyone outside the alcohol - soaked social norm is generally unwelcome.

**Andy Carroll** · 22-09-2007, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slutmonkey57b

The Irish are very down to earth - provided you fit in with the status quo. Anyone outside the alcohol - soaked social norm is generally unwelcome.

Are pubs the only place people interact?

I find Irish people from all walks of life and of varying ages very easy to talk to, and friendly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slutmonkey57b

Lowest common denominator is not the same as "down to earth".

Can you explain what you mean by this?

mike65 · 22-09-2007, 10:37

A "Down to earth" quality of fuss-free common sense anyone can possess, regardless of class. Lowest Common Denominator is simply the point where you can go no lower!

Mike.

**Black Swan** · 22-09-2007, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by wowy

Surely there can't be all that much money in coffee tasting anyway?

You could be a mystery shopper for Star*ucks?

***The Sweeper*** · 22-09-2007, 11:29

Middle class is an invention. There used to be upper class (landed, titled gentry type people) and working class (everyone else). Then the more successful working class people progressed and did things like BUY the factory in which they used to work. They weren't landed, titled gentry, but they didn't like being called working class, so they created a distinction - middle class - and stuck themselves in it.

I'm with whoever said your wife's not middle class, just stupid.

Newaglish · 22-09-2007, 16:24

I just... don't know what you want us to say?

Do you need people on an internet forum to reassure you that both yourself and your wife are middle class?

How does one qualify as middle class anyway? Where you work? How much money you earn? How much money your parents have? Your accent?!

Pet · 23-09-2007, 02:00

I love this thread. It's a microcosm of boards.ie. People bitching about the term "middle class" and those who refer to themselves as same; people bitching about the people who bitched; all the usual buzzwords (although, I didn't see "affluent". Can someone please put "affluent" into a sentence, please? It's not a discussion about Ireland's wealth without that word, see.); speculations of a burgeoning economic downturn, discussions of overpriced commodities, and references to the Saithside.

Keep going, guys.

View Poll Results: If I lose my job, it's OK, I will just become a wine or coffee taster
Typical middle class	28	37.84%
Anyone could say it	22	29.73%
Aww-taww-ree jawwg-u-orrrr	24	32.43%
Voters: 74. You may not vote on this poll

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22-09-2007, 09:55	#31
Slutmonkey57b Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,426 Adverts \| Friends	People don't refer to themselves as anything, they just quietly fit themselves in. And if you don't think the Irish have class distinctions before the celtic tiger, you're blind. The difference between the Irish and English is that the Irish like to pretend they're egalitarian and down-to-earth. They're not, and never have been.

22-09-2007, 10:37	#35
mike65 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: waterford Posts: 80,912 Adverts \| Friends	A "Down to earth" quality of fuss-free common sense anyone can possess, regardless of class. Lowest Common Denominator is simply the point where you can go no lower! Mike.

22-09-2007, 11:29	#37
*The Sweeper* Patience, grasshoppa Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Coooeeeeee! Posts: 9,895 Adverts \| Friends Admin: The Open Forum	Middle class is an invention. There used to be upper class (landed, titled gentry type people) and working class (everyone else). Then the more successful working class people progressed and did things like BUY the factory in which they used to work. They weren't landed, titled gentry, but they didn't like being called working class, so they created a distinction - middle class - and stuck themselves in it. I'm with whoever said your wife's not middle class, just stupid.

22-09-2007, 16:24	#38
Newaglish Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,997 Adverts \| Friends	I just... don't know what you want us to say? Do you need people on an internet forum to reassure you that both yourself and your wife are middle class? How does one qualify as middle class anyway? Where you work? How much money you earn? How much money your parents have? Your accent?!

23-09-2007, 02:00	#39
Pet Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: the ghetto Posts: 4,514 Adverts \| Friends	I love this thread. It's a microcosm of boards.ie. People bitching about the term "middle class" and those who refer to themselves as same; people bitching about the people who bitched; all the usual buzzwords (although, I didn't see "affluent". Can someone please put "affluent" into a sentence, please? It's not a discussion about Ireland's wealth without that word, see.); speculations of a burgeoning economic downturn, discussions of overpriced commodities, and references to the Saithside. Keep going, guys.