Class divisions in Ireland

_Bella_

The recession in some ways has resulted in the widening of the gap between the rich and poor in Ireland. What are your opinions on the class divisions in Ireland, are the two worlds apart or is there a very minor difference. Have you encountered any abuse or discrimination based on the so called class that you fall in to?

In my opinion there is quite a big divide between the classes in Ireland especially in the cities. When meeting new people and them asking you where you are from, you often get the impression that they are judging you based on your postal code. This judgement can also be seen when someone asks what school you went to.

smash

Class divisions exist world wide. And I don't really care to be honest, if someone has done well for themselves then fair play to them. People being assholes is a different story, and they come from all classes...

Dravokivich

There are those who have and those who have not the motivation and determination to value and better themselves by their own means.

I'd like to think I have a bit of that.

Everything else, well, that's for yourselves to decide.

starlings

Where you come from or where you went to school only shows the "class" of your family; where you live now is yours, so the self-made will, unfortunately, still be placed according to origin in the categories of the snob.

I think the OP is right that it's more of an issue in cities, but if you don't live in the town/city you come from, you are more difficult to "classify" and can live happily outside people's little classes. In my happy/naive experience, the people who judge you (who can be snobby or chippy btw) are few and far between.

In rural areas, when people ask where you come from they're more interested in finding connections than barriers - my elderly relatives could play six degrees of separation with anyone at all.

anncoates

The offspring of the middle and working classes all seem to wear tracksuit bottoms and hoodies these days.

At least you knew where you stood in my day.

Gurgle

_Bella_ wrote: »

In my opinion there is quite a big divide between the classes in Ireland especially in the cities. When meeting new people and them asking you where you are from, you often get the impression that they are judging you based on your postal code.

If this is what you mean by class, then yeah there's obviously several divisions.

I would take 'class' to include your background, parents' professions etc. i.e. its about where you came from as much as where you are now.

From that perspective, I would say there's no class division. Anyone from any background can work their way into a 'higher' social class.

Obviously its more difficult to work your way up than to be born there, but its much easier here than e.g. in the UK where politics and business are dominated by public school clientele (i.e. upper middle class at least).

Take a couple of random examples from the Irish 'aristocracy': Fingleton's father was a garda, Ahern's was a farmer. Seàn Quinn started off by selling gravel he dug out of the family's farm.

For every 1 born with money, theres 20 who made it on their own.

AnonoBoy

I come from the Disco Class myself.

Dance with the boogie get down
'Cause boogie nights are always
The best in town
Got to keep on dancing
Keep on dancing
Got to keep on dancing
Keep on dancing

jonbravo

I think there is a divide between people's views across the board on a wide range of issues, not just political topics like gay marriage or abortion rights.
Being single in a country that promotes marriage for example is used by comics everyday the list goes on....
I think we're listening more and more...

iDave

Some people earn more than others, simple as that but I've never understood why in a republic were so keen to adopt aristocratic British class names, upper, middle, working class etc.

KungPao

Yeah, that "Where are you from?" question from complete strangers gets tiresome. Who the fook cares.

AnonoBoy

iDave wrote: »

I've never understood why in a republic were so keen to adopt aristocratic British class names, upper, middle, working class etc.

Penis envy most likely.

mikom

KungPao wrote: »

Yeah, that "Where are you from?" question from complete strangers gets tiresome. Who the fook cares.

Passport control.

Rented Mule

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I come from the Disco Class myself.

Dance with the boogie get down
'Cause boogie nights are always
The best in town
Got to keep on dancing
Keep on dancing
Got to keep on dancing
Keep on dancing

I would have guessed

Ì don't know much about dancin', that's why I got this song
One of my legs is shorter than the other and both my feet's too long
'Course now right along with 'em, I got no natural rhythm
But I go dancin' every night, hopin' one day I might get it right
I'm a dancin' fool (Dancin' fool)
I'm a dancin' fool
I'm a dancin' fool (Dancin' fool)
I'm a dancin' fool
I hear that beat, I jump outa my seat
But I can't compete 'cause I'm a dancin' fool (Dancin' fool)
I'm a dancin' fool

KungPao

mikom wrote: »

Passport control.

True

I should have added that I am clearly from Dublin, and if talking to another Dubliner...they just have to ask that question. I don't see the point. I wouldnt care or be particulary interested where they are from.

Where they live now may be of more interest.

9959

Rented Mule wrote: »

I would have guessed

Ì don't know much about dancin', that's why I got this song
One of my legs is shorter than the other and both my feet's too long
'Course now right along with 'em, I got no natural rhythm
But I go dancin' every night, hopin' one day I might get it right
I'm a dancin' fool (Dancin' fool)
I'm a dancin' fool
I'm a dancin' fool (Dancin' fool)
I'm a dancin' fool
I hear that beat, I jump outa my seat
But I can't compete 'cause I'm a dancin' fool (Dancin' fool)
I'm a dancin' fool

"But I don't feel like dancin', no sir, no dancin'' today"

leonidas83

Tbh, I've found classes to exist alot more in rural areas than cities as people are alot more in your business there & keen to know where you come from, what you do, even how much you make.

In cities I've found people are not as intrusive, its seems to be more about finding a common ground with shared interests as opposed to wanting to garnish as much information as possible about you.

Ill go one further & say people from small towns/rurul areas actually get on my nerves sometimes as without having spoken to someone in donkey years they ask questions that are none of their business just so they have something to gossip about when they go home.

I know its not as black & white as the above but In my experience I have found to be this way more often than not

Pilotdude5

I just try and ignore "class" and wouldn't put a label on myself. Its only an imaginary limit.