Social Class style and views

FillSpectre

I was spurred by the TV thread about plasma screens. Friends of mine live all over the place and as you travel around you see different styles depending on how well off an area is. Now as I have been born and raised I have my own class which will obviously effect my own taste. There are some things I think are absolutely disgusting but I always wonder what the other side of the argument is and what they dislike about a different class styles

Things I dislike

1) Neo classical columns added on to a corpo house or any house that is not suitable.
2) Flowers and ornoments in every window. The tend to be dried flowers in really over the top vases.
3) Soverin rings
4) Modded cars with tons of plastic bit added and generally playing dance music

There is more but you get the idea. I wonder what the reverse is other than the likes of not having the above. They must dislike some "pouncy" haircut. Overall generally I think I dislike these general types of things becasue I associate them with bad behaviour or bad neighbourhoods as such I think it looks quite taty. Now I aspire to owning things I can't afford like most people but also try not to look like a nasty person so there must be a different view, right?

frobisher

I remember being out at a party and meeting all these rough inner city guys. Myself and my friend got chatting to them and once trust was established they actually asked why we dress the way we do because to them it looked so odd that they couldn't understand why we dressed as we did. The funny thing is that to us there was nothing particulally odd about how we were dressed and they were in burberry caps and thick gold chains. No matter what "type" of people you regard yourself as being from, others will always appear different.

Archeron

FillSpectre wrote:

1) Neo classical columns added on to a corpo house or any house that is not suitable.
QUOTE]


But Doric and Corinthian are okay though?

FillSpectre

frobisher wrote:

No matter what "type" of people you regard yourself as being from, others will always appear different.

I understand that but if the normal look around you is refered to by the vast majority as a "scumbag" look you have to be aware of how you look outside your immediate circle. AS a view I would want to distance my sell from looking like a "scumbag" but that does not seem to be the case with some social groups.

FillSpectre

Archeron wrote:

But Doric and Corinthian are okay though?

No generally the little Dallas look in some areas turns my stomach. It is all a bit like the massive amounts of money spent on comunion outfits being the peserve of the poor not the rich.

Black Swan

Gosh, right now I would settle for a modest little 2-bedroom cottage with an ocean view. Perhaps in Counties Cork or Kerry or Galway, away from any big city but near a village where I could shop for essentials. The ocean view is the most important thing to me, not what the house looks like, or what they call a "McMansion" in the States (a huge house on a small lot with no view of anything). So I guess I have to work hard and long for that view in quiet surroundings.

Not sure why so many people have to "keep up with the Jones's" as they say in the States where I am now visiting and working overseas. Their house has to be bigger than your house, their car or SUV more expensive than yours, their dog bigger than yours, and so forth. Self worth seems to be associated with material wealth for many people over here. How false. How plastic. How foolish.:rolleyes:

Dyr

FillSpectre wrote:

There is more but you get the idea. I wonder what the reverse is other than the likes of not having the above. They must dislike some "pouncy" haircut.

is "they" black people or something

FillSpectre

Bambi wrote:

is "they" black people or something

They not being people like me or similar and have taste as described. I have clearly stated this is social class issue and that I belong to a social class. Class is not clearly designated thing.

magpie

Any kind of obvious display of wealth is vulgar and crass in the extreme. Unfortunately most Irish people, regardless of background, don't seem to have realised this.

HelterSkelter

I think most people want to fit in with the people they hang around with (I'm talking mostly about under 18's here). If all your mates are wearing tracksuits you tend to do the same. Also if everyone in your area dresses in a certain way then it will seem to you that that is the normal way to dress. Why would you want to dress in an 'alien' way like someone from another neighbourhood/social class whom you have absolutley nothing in common with.

HelterSkelter

FillSpectre wrote:

I understand that but if the normal look around you is refered to by the vast majority as a "scumbag" look you have to be aware of how you look outside your immediate circle. AS a view I would want to distance my sell from looking like a "scumbag" but that does not seem to be the case with some social groups.

I think you are talking about the track suit/nike air max/burberry types, right? Well I hung around with people like that when I was young, I even wore track suits for a while but then got some fashion sense!! The thing is that the people I hung around with didn't think that type of fashion was considered scumbag. It was what all their friends wore and was the norm. The majority of them were not scumbags either. There were scumbags in the area who dressed the same but they were in the minority.

Funsterdelux

Blue_Lagoon wrote:

Gosh, right now I would settle for a modest little 2-bedroom cottage with an ocean view. Perhaps in Counties Cork or Kerry or Galway, away from any big city but near a village where I could shop for essentials. The ocean view is the most important thing to me, not what the house looks like, or what they call a "McMansion" in the States (a huge house on a small lot with no view of anything). So I guess I have to work hard and long for that view in quiet surroundings.

Not sure why so many people have to "keep up with the Jones's" as they say in the States where I am now visiting and working overseas. Their house has to be bigger than your house, their car or SUV more expensive than yours, their dog bigger than yours, and so forth. Self worth seems to be associated with material wealth for many people over here. How false. How plastic. How foolish.:rolleyes:

Im with you on this one Blue, Im from a poor enough backround in the country, well when we were growning up anywho.

But what pisses me off is that when people start earning desent money, it seems to be expected of them to spend it on stuff they does not need.
In the country in regards to one off housing, people/architects dont seem to understand that red-brick and stone house dont always belong in the country, fair enough stone, but even they were usually either plastered/rendered or whitewashed.

Driving their kids to school when they could walk or cycle the list goes on, its just all adding to the over all problem of We want to be like the Americans, or even worse probably.

meditraitor

FillSpectre wrote:

3) Soverin rings

Sure sign of scumbag ( along with a Celtic jersey)

Morlar

meditraitor wrote:

Sure sign of scumbag ( along with a Celtic jersey)

Wow. talk about small minded.

Black Swan

Funsterdelux wrote:

But what pisses me off is that when people start earning desent money, it seems to be expected of them to spend it on stuff they does not need.

Hi Funsterdelux!
Agree. I have a pretty good income, but socking away every penny I can. Don't go out too often blowing money on restaurants or pubs like others. Cook a lot at my flat. Looking for a second hand car with good gas mileage and low maintenance. Go to free WiFi hotspots to write these posts to boards. Save, save, save!

Lust4Life

Posted by Blue_Lagoon:
I was spurred by the TV thread about plasma screens. Friends of mine live all over the place and as you travel around you see different styles depending on how well off an area is. Now as I have been born and raised I have my own class which will obviously effect my own taste. There are some things I think are absolutely disgusting but I always wonder what the other side of the argument is and what they dislike about a different class styles

It is very interesting here in the states.
A co-worker was talking to me about another coworker the other day and said "Yes, but she lives from paycheck to pay check." This woman who said that always looks like she hasn't shopped for new clothes since 1990! I wonder what class she feels she fits into????

I grew up in a nice house, but my folks were far from rich.
And I think this causes me to feel that I have bluffed my way in to the Professional Office Workplace Environment while my siblings work in factories.
Even though I have the skills and knowledge, I don't quite fit in with most of the office folk. They're always trying to keep up with the Joneses and I don't have the same interests.

L4L

FillSpectre

HelterSkelter wrote:

I think you are talking about the track suit/nike air max/burberry types, right? Well I hung around with people like that when I was young, I even wore track suits for a while but then got some fashion sense!! The thing is that the people I hung around with didn't think that type of fashion was considered scumbag. It was what all their friends wore and was the norm. The majority of them were not scumbags either. There were scumbags in the area who dressed the same but they were in the minority.

Yes that is the type.

I went to school in a pretty rough school and everybody who dressed like that was fully aware many people consider it the look of scumbag. I guess a 10 year old might not know but by 16 you know. If it is just not considered they must have a view on what does not consist of their style.

I guess they could just be fitting in but adult and houses are part of this too. There are other house styles I have opinions on too. THere is a a particular style connected to the lower social classes. Adults should be a little beyond peer presure

meditraitor

Morlar wrote:

Wow. talk about small minded.

Sure am.... hooora to you for your insight

Dyr

FillSpectre wrote:

THere is a a particular style connected to the lower social classes. Adults should be a little beyond peer presure

And you're an adult? Or are you the queen of england? :rolleyes:

Morlar

meditraitor wrote:

Sure am.... hooora to you for your insight

Your welcome !

HelterSkelter

FillSpectre wrote:

Yes that is the type.

I went to school in a pretty rough school and everybody who dressed like that was fully aware many people consider it the look of scumbag. I guess a 10 year old might not know but by 16 you know. If it is just not considered they must have a view on what does not consist of their style.

I guess they could just be fitting in but adult and houses are part of this too. There are other house styles I have opinions on too. THere is a a particular style connected to the lower social classes. Adults should be a little beyond peer presure

Well when you talk about people doing up their houses in a particular way, I think it is just down to people who can never afford a bug luxurious house so they just try to make the best of what they got. Similar to a young guy who would love a Ferrari. Not in his wildest dreams will he ever get one so he does up his Ford Fiesta as best he can to make it look like a sports car. Now you may think his car looks stupid but so what, different strokes for different folks.

Lust4Life

But it also depends on the person's interest.
Me, I really enjoy the challenge of refinishing old furniture and making it look new again. I wouldn't want new furnishings (well, I could use a new couch) since it is so much fun doing this!
As long as I earn enough money to buy supplies, I'm happy.

L4L

FillSpectre

Bambi wrote:

And you're an adult? Or are you the queen of england? :rolleyes:

Oh good you got me again becasue I am sure you have no bias:rolleyes:

Cop on and stop looking for a way to accuse me of being some kind of bigot. You want to stick your head in the sand and beleive there are no differences in class go ahead.

I am aware of what I am and how it colours my views. I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say I treat all people equally, I don't. I judge people on their actions, mannerisms, apperance and speech. Instead of just criticsing me why don't you explain your world view. Right now I judge you as a freak who won't express themself but criticises people.

FillSpectre

HelterSkelter wrote:

Well when you talk about people doing up their houses in a particular way, I think it is just down to people who can never afford a bug luxurious house so they just try to make the best of what they got. Similar to a young guy who would love a Ferrari. Not in his wildest dreams will he ever get one so he does up his Ford Fiesta as best he can to make it look like a sports car. Now you may think his car looks stupid but so what, different strokes for different folks.

What they can afford isn't really the issue either as they spend lots of money on really styled things. Modded cars costing a fortune to do and are expensive themselves.

It isn't about making do but actually expensive things that are of a particular style. Thoses neo classical column don't come cheap or does wall cladding.

It would be really hard not to notice media commenting on such looks and styles and their association with bad taste and a social demographic. DO they simply not notice?

HelterSkelter

They probably don't give a fúck as they have better things to comment on. I don't really get what your problem is, as I said, different strokes for different folks.

whiskeyman

HelterSkelter wrote:

The majority of them were not scumbags either. There were scumbags in the area who dressed the same but they were in the minority.

A key point, that can be flipped for all the D4 'dube' wearing brigade. They may all dress the same, but it's only a minority that are "scumbags".
A scumbag doesn't just wear tracksuits and soverign rings. I think we all saw that after the Annabels case, and of that librarian that was assulted on Grafton Street by those tennis players.

simu

People show their allegiance to or aspiration to belonging to certain groups in society by dressing or decorating a certain way (although it's not always 100% conscious). That's hardly new, is it?

Dyr

FillSpectre wrote:

Oh good you got me again becasue I am sure you have no bias:rolleyes:

Cop on and stop looking for a way to accuse me of being some kind of bigot. You want to stick your head in the sand and beleive there are no differences in class go ahead.

I am aware of what I am and how it colours my views. I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say I treat all people equally, I don't. I judge people on their actions, mannerisms, apperance and speech. Instead of just criticsing me why don't you explain your world view. Right now I judge you as a freak who won't express themself but criticises people.

yes, yes yes, thats all well and good. Jolly nice
but are you an adult? over 18? over 21? yes? no?


As for my opinion, maybe i do judge but its tempered by the knowledge that people are just people, i dont go past someone's house thinking "oh my how crass, the occupants must be frightful" i dont even snigger when lank haired, jacket wearing, bonnie prince billy listening sneachta o faoileachan types come within earshot. Im good like that. but im a grown up now

Privillege might exist in this country but class only manifests itself in some peoples attitudes

AngryBadger

You're assuming in all this that people look at what money they have and then cogitate on how best they can spend that money to achieve their goals. most people don't actually do that.

Some people will look at their disposable income vs. what they want, and try to make the best spending choices accordingly. But most people won't think that far ahead. Most of the time we'll spend our money fairly impulsively, we won't always take the slow and steady option for self-improvement. And obviously, barring massive individuality, (which, let's be honest, most people don't have), we're going to mimic our peers.

Kids always want whatever the other kids have, this doesn't change with age. in some cases it's because far away hills are greener, in some cases it's because we genuinely want what the other person has, in most cases it's just a case of maintaining the status quo in our social circles.

And when you think about it, which is going to be easier, using your money to maintain whatever standard of living you're accustomed to, or trying to use your income to elevate yourself to a higher standard which may involve a total change in lifestyle, both geographically, and socially? Most people are going to go with the former.

Brian Capture

Morlar wrote:

Wow. talk about small minded.

I don't support the IRA.

Brian Capture

whiskeyman wrote:

A key point, that can be flipped for all the D4 'dube' wearing brigade. They may all dress the same, but it's only a minority that are "scumbags".
A scumbag doesn't just wear tracksuits and soverign rings. I think we all saw that after the Annabels case, and of that librarian that was assulted on Grafton Street by those tennis players.

The only reason those cases got so much coverage was the fact that the perpetrators were well-off.

They are the exception rather than the rule and you are clutching at straws by bringing them up.

There was a guy who got the sh*t kicked out of him in Blanchardstown for berating a gang of skangers for trying to steal his car. He was in a coma for six weeks and there was very little media attention.