Classy Quotes 22

If people stopped talking about class it would disappear, said a flatmate circa 1984.

Britain remains a firmly class-based society, with the (im)possibility of social mobility mediated through the education system. Having spent decent amounts of time in the US and France, I think they are equally class-bound, and maybe only Scandinavia is really different... However, the exact mechanics of keeping people in their place differs... [Lynsey Hanley, author of Respectable, is] strong on the ideological use of the idea that all an individual child needs to do is to work hard and behave well to get on, as if individual responsibility can by itself overcome embedded social structures. (enlightenmenteconomics.com)

Northerners are often lumped into a homogeneous whippet-keeping mass. Wood was actually lower-middle, which is the best vantage point for social commentary: where yearning social pretensions are betrayed by a single common word. (Janice Turner, Times)

Don’t make assumptions about a person’s wealth based on looks or dress: many affluent Londoners have little concern with designer watches and handbags. (Debrett’s)

That thing where folks still use "latte sipping" to mean elitist when Starbucks is as ubiquitous as McDonald's. (@anildash) (They also accuse Jeremy Corbyn of eating "trendy falafel".)

I think the chattering classes want to rescue people, and that’s their drama: “This film’s about me discovering your story.” (Actor Eddie Marsan. He says film makers ignore the 90% of people on council estates living perfectly functional lives.)

"I've never seen it!/Am I only person who doesn't care about Star Wars?" is becoming my generation's "Actually, we don't own a television." (Area Man ‏@Alasdair_CM)

Today there are very much two Brightons: the inland one of vibrant creative industries, modern restaurants and a dynamic population – and the seafront of tacky sideshows, fish and chips, rock and assorted paraphernalia... There have been some attempts to turn the arches by the Pier into an artists’ hub but it hardly makes a dent in what is currently on offer, which is more akin to West Street than anything else. The current Brighton Pier is a beautiful photo opportunity on the outside and a disappointingly poor amusement arcade on the inside, surviving as a result of the endless day trippers coming from all over the country... there seems to be no shortage of people willing to spend their two pence on those machines, via Sports Direct and Primark on their way back to their coaches. I see the parades of them every day from my office in the Old Steine. Brighton needs attractions that are dynamic and more ahead of the curve. The pier is a golden opportunity to create a destination that fits in with the times. Get that right and the rest of the seafront will follow suit: proper restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, a decent performance venue. ... In short, a chance to move into the 21st century. (Julian Caddy, director of Brighton Fringe in a pyrotechnic display of classist euphemisms)

More here, and links to the rest.