It seems like when some hear the words "upper class", it gets them thinking of a snobby person with a ton of cash, big expensive car, huge mansion, etc. The so-called "perfect life" (even though I believe it very much isn't). I always think of upper class people to be simply very well-educated, intelligent, polite and have, yes, a good and secure amount of money but not necessarily millions either! And also, I have met some people who wore poor materialistically speaking, but spoke well and knew the right values in life. So it really means nothing in the end when we say "upper class" or "middle class"-- sure, the general upper class person will be more polite probably when in comparison to a "lower one", but you know what I mean. And coming back to the wrong upper class image nearly all people have, why DO they have it?
No rude answers please and thank you for your time!
2006-08-24 10:16:33 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
corncob06-- two things: one, I completely disagree with the fact when you only seemed to say that celebrities are the "true upperclass". Why should it only be for them? I think that's very wrong! Second, I wanted to say that you seem to take a lot of my words; saying that some so-called poor people can behave like upper class, that upper class can be like bums, etc. I was trying to get answers to these matters included in my question, not be reminded by useless repeating... sorry, but try to answer instead of repeating my words!
Thank you though for your time, I DO agree with the last paragraph of your... answer.
2006-08-25 02:24:27 · update #1
Upper class people are only known for being rich because that is the only clear differentiator. They can't profess to clear superiority in any other aspect, be it, happiness, health, intelligence, values, manners etc.
Like you mentioned in the note that accompanied your question, there could be poor folks who are happier or in better heath or more intelligent or with better manners or hold better values.
Upper class also tends to be associated with a lifestyle. There are many rich people who are millionaires next door and many upper class people who are bankrupt but living it up on other people's money.
2006-08-24 10:24:01 · answer #1 · answered by Harry 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When the word "Upper Class" is heard people think of what label society puts on this term. Yes, Robin Leach (sp?) helped this become popular with lifestyles of the rich and famous. The big houses, nice cars, etc. is generally what people think about.
I had two sets of parents that I grew up with because of divorce. I grew up with a "lower class" family and an "upper middle class family". I learned just as much from both sides of the fence. I did go and live with my "upper middle class" family once I got a little older, but I was taught great morals from my other family. I guess all and all its just a word and doesn't make you a better or worse person overall. Its just what the public see's and thinks. There are plenty of poor families that are very happy and wouldn't trade the world for what they have. Its all about being happy with who you are and what you have. Everything else is fake. So to answer your question...its just what people have been subject to seeing and thats how they associate the different standards of living. Hope that helps.
2006-08-24 10:27:17 · answer #2 · answered by Wes 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What? first of all, I think you are refering to upper MIDDLE class. They are the doctors, lawyers and engineers most people associate with being wealthy. The UPPER class are the absolute rich. Those born into a lot of money (think Rockafellers, Kennedys, BUSHES), or simply extremely wealthy (well not simply, through some kind of luck or deftness, i.e. Bill Gates, Oprah, Warren Buffett) They are the real upper class.
And as a member of the lower middle class that went to a private school, I can tell you that class DOES NOT signify someone's attitude/demeanor/eitiquette towards others. That is always personal and individual. I think your idea of upper class is also wrong in that sense. There are plenty of "well-educated" people who aren't upper class (teachers, professors, and researchers usually don't make a lot of money AT ALL, go to any college campus and ask one). And likewise, many members of the upper class without a lot of education or etiquette (hello, Paris Hilton!)
Yes in America, it means a lot when you refer to class. Class is a dividing force in our society. Of course the upper class are known for their wealth, THAT MAKES them upper class. Class is define by wealth and lifestyle, not how polite they are. A sports agent in a Porsche could be an asshole or a saint, it just depends on his/her own personality. Class and persona just don't correlate in the way you suggest.
2006-08-24 10:26:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I know TONS of rich people since I live in Orange County, but how much money someone has does not make who they are. I don't find any generalizations about upper or lower class to be true, everyone has a different personality wether or not they are rich. I don't find rich people to be any nicer, ruder, polite, or mean than a poor person.
2006-08-24 10:24:35 · answer #4 · answered by imaqtpai 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The class strtructure refers only to income brackets and you will find fine people at all levels of society. However, most people in the "upper class" got there because they were intelligent, well-educated and hardworking (or else they inherited their money from parents who were all those things).
Alas... I am intelligent, well-educated and hardworking...but I'm strictly middle class...so being all of the above doesn't automatically grant you a pass for a BMW and a McMansion. Then again, I'm satisfied with my job and my life, so "perfection" is in the eye of the beholder.
2006-08-24 10:26:05 · answer #5 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why do you think that lower class people are less polite? A person's definition of upper and lower class depends on how and where they were raised.
2006-08-24 10:20:55 · answer #6 · answered by Joe-slim 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no, upper class means they are living a higher lifestyle then the average person. they have more expensive this or that, a lower class individual is goign to be living in a lifestyle less then the average person, perhaps a 20" black and white tv is all they have a beat up couch who knows. it has nothing to do with intellect, though you could argue stupid people are poor and smart people are rich i suppose.
2006-08-24 10:20:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ive met alot of people who have loads of money and are the kindest and sweetest people around...and met some really poor people that had impeccable manners...it just depends on WHO you are associating with
2006-08-24 10:18:51 · answer #8 · answered by celine8388 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A agree with Aye. "Upper class" insinuates a caste system, which there undeniably is but has been sugar-coated with pretty words and phrases.
2006-08-24 10:24:10 · answer #9 · answered by Super Jules 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never judge a man by the amount of money he has. It's his character thats noticed.
2006-08-24 10:23:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋