Stiff upper lips.

[Colonel Mustard]

I have been watching a programme where a Biggles-like young man called Ben Fogle chooses people to go off to the ends of the earth. When they are not chosen they blubber. When they are chosen they blubber. One longs for a bit of stiff upper lip. Are there any left in Britain?

[woolybananasbrother]

Too dangerous old man in the mad world you are talking about where gutlessness and stupidity are the norm.[:@]

[Kitty]

I understand, Colonel, that it is an issue of class and breeding.  If an upper class person, such as your goodself, gets stung by three wasps on the lip at the same time, one would say something like: 'Oh my word, that's jolly inconvenient'.  One of your young sappers, however, would go running around shrieking and howling.

I am unsure what the middle classes would do.  I don't know any such people, Colonel, because you and I are a cut above such things, what?

 

[mint]

One does not bother with "other ranks", Cathy.  One neither notices what they do nor say.  Doing otherwise is definitely infra dig

[Just Katie]

I have always been confused by the term 'middle class'.  My dear mum told me that during her day, teachers and grocers (amongst others) were considered to be middle class.  Surely this is now a thing of the past.......................is it?

[woolybananasbrother]

grocers were only lower middle class.

[woolybananasbrother]

The bravest of the brave came from all classes and ranks. it was a question of attitude. The snivelling twerps of creatures described as men these days are not worthy of the title.[6]  (Please note, my late brother asked me to say this)

[mint]

Hey Wooly's b, I thought this was meant to be light-hearted.  Don't turn this into an argument, for goodness's sake, or the snivelling twerps will be out in force to exhume your brother!

[woolybananasbrother]

I do so hate it when my brother goes over the top like that, but what can I do? I promised to give him some space if he sent he clear messages, but it wont be for long. He is such a twerp himself he makes me wanna cry.

Do you know, dear, weh I started wearing Sloggis he stole and burned them. He was just a foul-mouthed boozy beast!

Hated me cooking and ironing too.

Stiff upper lip indeed...[6]

[Christine Animal]

I have often of course heard the word twerp, but never seen it written before.  I always imagined it was twirp, what a twerp.

 

[mint]

So, that's OK then.  Your brother's the twerp and you're the one who snivels!

[powerdesal]

[quote user="Cathy"]

I understand, Colonel, that it is an issue of class and breeding.  If an upper class person, such as your goodself, gets stung by three wasps on the lip at the same time, one would say something like: 'Oh my word, that's jolly inconvenient'.  One of your young sappers, however, would go running around shrieking and howling.

I am unsure what the middle classes would do.  I don't know any such people, Colonel, because you and I are a cut above such things, what?

 

[/quote]

No sapper worthy of the name would ever shriek or howl. Maybe a gravel cruncher would but not the RE [:P]

[woolybananasbrother]

Wasn't the RE officers mess rather expensive years ago?

[Pierre ZFP]

Sappers? Salt of the Earth.  Make the best tea too.  Cathy was no doubt refering to one of those office wallahs in the Pay Core, or the Back Room Boffins, nice enough chaps but no idea of the real world what?

[Frenchie]

So what's a teacher these days ??

This system of " social classes" is much more present in the UK than in France.. or am I totally wrong ?

 

[woolybananasbrother]

No, in France it is just as strong is not stronger. Never heard of the Bottin Mondain?

[raindog]

I'd never heard of that. I just checked out their site - talk about toffee-nosed........

[Frenchie]

Yeah but people don't talk about social classes..

In England it s a term that is often heard of..  

[woolybananasbrother]

Comparisons are invidious. Suffice it to say I think that France has a strong class system. Members of the upper class live in a relatively closed and isolated world and concentrate themselves in the professions and close to government (though only a few actually become politicians). They live  and work discreetly, obtaining what they want through an extended family and social net of influence. They rarely marry outside their class except when there is money involved or they need fresh brood mares or studs. [6]

[Frenchie]

Oh yes sure classes are all over the world.. But what I meant was that people don't refer to them as much as the English do..

 

 

 

[woolybananasbrother]

I have not lived in UK for many years so may be out of date but it seems that the word 'class' is used less and less in UK. That doesnt mean it has disappeared of course, as in France

[Frenchie]

To me, the only fact of wondering where a grocer would be situated in social classes is a difference with France.. Never heard such a question in France.

But hey ..only the perception of a froggynette............... [;-)]

[Gluestick]

Class has been transcended by money!

Whilst the Noveau Riche would probably like think of themselves as Middle Class: in majority, their behaviour labels them as working class. Irrespective of the extent of their disposable wealth.

The average Daily Mail reader also likes to consider themselves as Middle Class.

Still, we are all guilty of self-delusion here and there!

Perhaps it's best summed up by the old American expression: "You can take the girl out of the trailer park: but you can't take the trailer park out of the girl!

 

[woolybananasbrother]

The question about the grocer does not need to be asked as it is known and he/she knows the answer as well.

[Framboise]

I heard this about Kate Moss.........

You can take the girl out of Croydon, but you can't take Croydon out of the girl.

Make of that what you will............................ [:D]