Why does it seem that so many people here are working class?

[Freddy42OZ]

It often makes me wonder why this forum seems so heavily weighted towards the working class.  

Where are all the middle class and upper middle class retirees?  

Also why do people who were born working class but become very successful still identify as working class?  I really don't understand that.  

 

[Meat Pie 47]

not every body is a millionaire frm OZ 

[HashBrownHarry]

9 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Where are all the middle class and upper middle class retirees?  

They have many more options of better countries for retirement than Thailand.

[Tippaporn]

Where's the option for "None."  I'm classless.

[Tippaporn]

In all seriousness, I'd never categorise myself and who I am to a rung on a ladder.

[transam]

Isn't the 'class' thing from a bygone era....?

[Sunderland]

I'm class! You're class! She's classy as owt. 

[sipi]

I'm working class, on a 6 figure income, and spend my time divided between Thailand and Australia.

Suits me.

[Tippaporn]

6 minutes ago, transam said:

Isn't the 'class' thing from a bygone era....?

Is the OP from India?  The caste system of dividing people is still going strong there.

[Chris.B]

8 minutes ago, transam said:

Isn't the 'class' thing from a bygone era....?

Not in the UK, still going strong. Born in a council flat I was. Shared toilet and bathroom. In my school, it was an academic achievement if you stayed on at school past 15 years old! ☹️ 

 

Edited December 19, 2021 by Chris.B

[Tippaporn]

26 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Also why do people who were born working class but become very successful still identify as working class?  I really don't understand that. 

What's your definition of success?

[freedomnow]

'Escape artist' class.

 

The motto of the area I was born is - Kick to Kill...what's that in latin ?

[Chainsaw]

What's with all this 'middle class' nonsense? If you have a regular job of any kind or did have in the past. You're working class!

[CharlieH]

Those that have achieved often wear the working class background as a medal, having achieved something from relatively nothing. They worked for it and werent given it or inherited it.

 

Thats my theory anyway. ????

[Chris.B]

"Where are all the middle class and upper middle class retirees?"

 

South of France, renovating chateau for UK TV shows!

[Chris.B]

12 minutes ago, sipi said:

I'm working class, on a 6 figure income, 

 

That's easy in Aussie dollars! ????

[sipi]

Just now, Chris.B said:

That's easy in Aussie dollars! ????

"Working" or "middle" class is such a broad spectrum.

Anything between those on welfare and inherent millionaires could be classified as such.

[Kinnock]

I was struck by the number of people answering the 'what was your careet' thread with stories of building sites, odd jobs and eclectic business start ups ..... but not in any judgemental way, just suprised there wasn't more teachers or corporate ex-pats relocated from colder climes.

 

But I think it may represent the Aseannow crowd rather than a true representation of Thai ex-pats?

 

Few of the Japanese and Korean engineers and managers working in the Thai automotive industries would be on this site.

 

I also think people with a more practical and hands-on approach to life can thrive (survive) in a developing country.

 

And 'class' is a very fluid concept now.  Two generations back my family roots were very much working class, but the 1960's saw many people in US and Europe progress to Middle Class.  I think this trend is reversing now, with most people slipping back, and a hyper rich few leaping forward.

[transam]

I remember when a plumber went round on a push-bike, now they drive around in a Merc van, so what is he in the class scale. 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

11 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

I was struck by the number of people answering the 'what was your careet' thread with stories of building sites, odd jobs and eclectic business start ups ..... but not in any judgemental way, just suprised there wasn't more teachers or corporate ex-pats relocated from colder climes.

 

But I think it may represent the Aseannow crowd rather than a true representation of Thai ex-pats?

 

Few of the Japanese and Korean engineers and managers working in the Thai automotive industries would be on this site.

 

I also think people with a more practical and hands-on approach to life can thrive (survive) in a developing country.

 

And 'class' is a very fluid concept now.  Two generations back my family roots were very much working class, but the 1960's saw many people in US and Europe progress to Middle Class.  I think this trend is reversing now, with most people slipping back, and a hyper rich few leaping forward.

In Australia it's the guys wearing the high vis stuff that's  likely to bring in the big bucks compared to someone in a suit. A guy on a union building site brings in good money and if you have your own business of any trade you can make huge money. Many do.  

Edited December 19, 2021 by Fat is a type of crazy

[Chris.B]

3 minutes ago, transam said:

I remember when a plumber went round on a push-bike, now they drive around in a Merc van, so what is he in the class scale. 

A con man! 5555 

[Tippaporn]

Perhaps for some it's convenient to neatly categorise and then attach precise labels on something as boundless and infinite as a human.  I would never limit myself by affixing such a poor definition as to who I am.  Have at it, boys.

 

Edited December 19, 2021 by Tippaporn

[Crossy]

I'll get this in before anyone else does:-

 

 

[freedomnow]

7 minutes ago, transam said:

I remember when a plumber went round on a push-bike, now they drive around in a Merc van, so what is he in the class scale. 

A stinkin dug out to fleece anything that moves.

[transam]

 

[OneMoreFarang]

I wonder how many people would be able to correctly put themselves in the "correct" category.

Like: I guess I am somewhere middle class. But am I middle middle class or lower middle class or upper middle class or aspiring upper middle class or what?

And does that depend or my job or if I prefer to have drinks with farmer girls or professors?

I guess life can be difficult - if we make it difficult.

[OneMoreFarang]

And then there are the people who think they are upper class but after a while even the lower class looks down on them.

 

[Jingthing]

Raised upper middle class.

Now more like lumpenproletariat.

[transam]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Raised upper middle class.

Now more like lumpenproletariat.

Is that standing on a chair...?  ????

[connda]

I've been all three.  Where am I now in the scheme of things?  Retired.
I've done some of the dirtiest, grubbiest, dangerous work imaginable (look up the 10 most dangerous job in the US and done 5 of them if you don't include the military), I spent 8 years in the military (that makes 6), left, graduated at the top of my class out of university, and spent my last career years working a nice clean (sometimes rather cold - worked in server rooms a lot) job as a computer engineer and eventually migrated into management positions, not particularly out of choice but by upper management requesting that I fill in managerial gap - I could interface between labor and management.  And I've no regrets about anything I've done.  All those experiences shaped me.

So?  What class am I?  Do I give a flying ****?  (<--- that's my Military and blue-collar guy speaking)  No! Not really.   Plus people's fortunes wane and wax with the fickleness of fate and luck.  People with high risk tolerances probably have been both broke, rich, and all points in-between.

So really?  What difference does it make what class another person is unless you are a status conscious prig - and I'm not - as I can related first-hand to all of those classes - and I thoroughly respect them all.

What about you OP.  Do you speak Oxford English as well as Latin and hobnob with the "upper-crust?" Or are you a Thai?  Or just "gone native?" What drives your interest in social class? ????

Edited December 19, 2021 by connda