Unravelling the British Class System

OK, well maybe not entirely unravelled here! But just a few pointers.

Yes, the UK has a very complex class system. It might take a whole PhD (or more) to describe it all! I am not 100% sure I agree with the class system, but it exists. And I suspect it does due to our historical context as a feudal society (and later, maybe as an empire?) Today, the class system in the UK is not 'open' - for example you are not allowed, by law or good social standards, to favour or disfavour people because of their class. But it still happens in subtle ways. And if you are a British native, you will instinctively know the small differences which show someone's class. From my conversations overseas, I think it is much more difficult for a foreigner to make these distinctions. And here are some reasons why!

1. People pretend to be other classes
This cuts both ways. Traditionally you imagine lower class people wanting to seem higher class. This still happens, and if there is money involved, you can send your child to the upper class schools etc and do it that way. Although there will probably still be small giveaways noticeable to native British people. David and Victoria Beckham are classic examples of successful working class people who have aspired to an upper class life. In the UK Victoria's nickname 'Posh' was partly an affectionate joke, because she wasn't really posh (but perhaps wanted to be!)

Also, a lot of upper-middle / upper-class people try to pretend that they are lower class. This is particularly common in young people (and celebrities!) In many circles it is considered 'uncool' to have, for example, a posh accent - so people fake their accent to sound more regional or lower class. In London we sometimes call this 'Mockney' (fake Cockney!)

2. Class is not necessarily connected to money
This met with very strange reactions from some of my Asian friends! Traditionally, class in the UK is carried from old bloodlines. So you might have people from an old, aristocratic bloodline, whose family no longer has much money. But they are still identifiable as upper-class. You can usually tell from accent (even Mockney is quite easy to spot for a local!) but also shoes, clothes, sometimes name, and other details.

Conversely, as with the Beckhams - everyone is free to make money these days, and you don't have to be from an aristocratic bloodline to do it!

3. Really posh people often look very scruffy
Consider the Queen, when she is not 'at work'. She is usually in an old tartan skirt, muddy rubber boots, a dirty jacket and headscarf. Consider Victoria Beckham, when she is 'not at work' - she looks smart and polished, in fact: rich.

There is a sort of understanding in the UK that if you are genuinely upper-class, you don't have to 'try too hard'. And (I believe like in Japan) flashiness of clothes or possessions is considered vulgar. Understated is often much more respected in posh circles, and in some cases, like the Queen's - scruffy old clothes are an obvious sign of position!

Battered-up shoes and clothes (but of certain styles and brands) are a sign of higher class. Shiny new things might not be.

Queen Elizabeth

Confused? Well I did say it could make a PhD topic! If you really want to understand how the weird British class system works, you probably have to go and live in the UK for several decades. But on a better note, and hopefully increasingly these days: anything goes!