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Project: Upper class - help!

I'm doing this project and I need some help. You don't need to answer all the questions if you don't know, some would do just fine. I could really do with some opinions!

What do you perceive as:
1. Upper-class?
2. Posh?
3. Rah?
4. Their appearance?
5. Their clothes/brands?
6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc)
7. Their leisure activities and sports?
8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc)
9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc)

Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?

Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?

Any comments

Thank youu :biggrin:

Reply 1

Zoecb

1. Upper-class?
Anyone with a title.
2. Posh?
Anyone who speaks with a perfect RP accent.
3. Rah?
People who use certain words - these identifiers change over time though.
4. Their appearance?
Guys - Jack Wills clothing, purposely scruffy hair, Girls - little dresses, hair that looks like they've spent time on it.
5. Their clothes/brands?
As above
6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc)
Hard to pin, it changes. Also it's hard to identify because I'm a bit private school really so I have a bit of Sloaney slang overlapping into my vocabulary. Try this website: www.********.co.uk
7. Their leisure activities and sports?
Rugby, horses?
8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc)
I dunno, not particularly concerned with welfare state-type things?
9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc)
Georgina, Victoria, Morwenna...

Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
Yes, very much. Upper class is actual official aristocracy. Posh is a very wide term, extends quite a way down the social scale to the bottom of the upper-middle class, while Rah is more an attitude and is mostly a young people subculture.

Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?
Yeah, there are a fair few ******** at my uni.

Any comments

EDIT: Erm, OK, it starred out the word S-L-O-A-N-E-Y for some reason....

Reply 2

Manon

What do you perceive as:
1. Upper-class?
Descendants of noble families.
2. Posh?
RP, public school
3. Rah?
An extroverted attitude, flamboyant demonstration of one´s wealth and status.
4. Their appearance?
Upper class --> "normal" clothes mixed with one or two expensive things, nothing flashy. Good quality and classic.

Rah --> I´m sure you all know : Uggs, pashmina etc..

5. Their clothes/brands?
Rahs = Ralph Lauren, Jack Wills etc...

6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc)
The upper classes have a radar enabling them to indentify people like them ("how do you do")
Kate Middleton can serve as an example : she was sneered at for using middle class vocabulary ("pleased to meet you, settee") .

7. Their leisure activities and sports?

Upper classes = definitely hunting. Most traditional sports (rugby, polo), usually those that require money .

Leisure activities = gossiping about their acquaintances. Seriously, most conversation centers on who knows who, who did what , blablabla. Travel and food.
Avoiding controversial topics. A lot of them are anti-intellectual.

8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc)

Conservative, trying to preserve their privileges.

9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc)

Girls : Henrietta, Ines, Beatrice, Georgina
Boys : Henry, Richard, Amaury, Felix.......

Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
Yes. Upper-class can be Rah and posh, but posh and rah are not always upper class . You can be an upper-middle class Rah or a nouveau riche posh (rare though) .

Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?

Upper-class every day, and I have posh and Rah acquaintances.

Reply 3

greyspring

What do you perceive as:
1. Upper-class?

Titled or old rich families

2. Posh?
Moneyed upper-class
3. Rah?
Moneyed upper-class
4. Their appearance?
Jack Wills, ralphies
5. Their clothes/brands?
Same, plus brands like Diesel and Miu miu
7. Their leisure activities and sports?
Polo, horses, sailing
8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc)
Foc-hunting, conservative, against the house of lords reform
9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc)
Tarquin, Eugenie, Isabella, Arabella, Beatrice

Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
Very little
Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?
yes

Any comments

Reply 4

L i b

Ah, good old stereotypes, eh?

Reply 5

greyspring

Well isn´t that what the OP wants ?

Reply 6

Thud

1. Upper-class? er...upper clarse people?

2. Posh? RP, a lot of londoners/people from around there, posh people, rahs, many old tories, most private schools, toffs,

3. Rah? annoying girls with them scarf things, stupid boots, terrible laughs, annoying accents, stupid hair which they spend ages trying to mess up (wtf?)

4. Their appearance? isn't this the same as 3? also if they've got like well expensive but relatively unbranded looking clothes, I mean they are branded, but it's only a small logo and very elitist looking. the whole upper teeth hangover thing.

5. Their clothes/brands? see 4

6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc) use a lot of uncommon words to make themselves seem clever, or long words, or unusual sentence structure. things like

7. Their leisure activities and sports? polo, fox hunting, **** like that. just stuff regular people don't do then look down on people for not doing it.

8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc) right wing, tory bastards. they think this country is a meritocracy, that people are only working class because they're lazy and don't realise that some people work ****ing hard but don't get owt back. They often seem well pedantic over grammar and long words as well, just reinforcing the "we're so much better than you lazy scum" opinion so many seem to hold.

9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc) tiffany, perkins, beatrice. i can't think of them offhand, if i remember any i'll post them. names that at spelt differently to how they're said - like when you see beatrice you think "beet rice"....er...shivorn (however you spell that) is another example.

Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
no

Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?
socialise, no.
encounter yes, too often.

Any comments
is "**** toffs" sufficient?

Reply 7

brokenangel

What do you perceive as:
1. Upper-class?
millionaires/people with tittles
2. Posh?
private school, expensive cars
3. Rah?
stuck up
4. Their appearance?
designer brands, tidy, classy while upto date
5. Their clothes/brands?
expensive eg gucci
6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc)
correct/traditional english
7. Their leisure activities and sports?
anything really but more likely to sit in boxs/lounges at the back of stadiums than with the crowds
8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc)
hmm really depends some people im friends with are posh but have very pc views while others (top business owner) is against the typical views of pro-fox hunting etc
9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc)
old english like victoria and micheal

Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
yes but all are just people often with alot of money

Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?
yes
Any comments
people are too quick to judge and in modern society their is very little definite differences between the groups

Reply 8

sarCAZm

I live In the same town as a huge Posh Public School (Oundle School) so I'm basing these on ym day to day interaction with the little brats

What do you perceive as:
1. Upper-class?
Poeple with Titles.
2. Posh?
Anyone who thinks they're posh, and so acts liek it. Accent is usually a good indicator.
3. Rah?
Upper-middle class, usually Public school kids (Oundle, Eton), have a certain way of tlaking, dressing
4. Their appearance?
Messy hair, well dressed
5. Their clothes/brands?
girls - Boots, denim skirts, polo shirts, pashminas, flip flops.
Boys - Jeans, team shirts/polo shirts, team fleeces, flip flops
6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc)
Correct English, talk loudly to draw attention to themselves
7. Their leisure activities and sports?
Tennis, hockey, horses,
8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc)
I try not ot tlak to them. Most would be into Hunting etc
9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc)
Also don't ask their names. They're often referred to by their last names, often with a humorus suffix. i.e. Web --> Webbers

Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
Yes. Upper Class is real class. Rah is just stuck up. Posh could be anyone

Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?
Living in Oundle, I'm constantly surrounded by Oundle School Kids. They're generally arrogant, i.e. would walk straight into you in the street cos they expect you to move out the way for them. I work in a restaurant, and they generally act like the own it when they come in. Loud, leave stuff on the floors, just generally rude. Some of them can be polite, but it's a very small amount.

Reply 9

Lara C.

1. Upper-class? rich people who dont mingle with lower income people.
2. Posh? somebody striveing to keep up a high standarf of appearence.
3. Rah? somebody trying to scare somebody else *shrugs*
4. Their appearance? (i take it they are linked?!) smart/sophisticated.
5. Their clothes/brands? dont really check, im assuming expensive.
6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (sofa, how do you do, etc) put on.
7. Their leisure activities and sports? for show.
8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc) they are mostely puppets to keep up the family appearence.
9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc) a way of distinguishing themselves, although they cant change it!

Reply 10

Yoda

1. Upper-class?
Rich. Doesn't really care what others think about them.
2. Posh?
Rich. Does care what others think about them - will show off expensive items.
3. Rah?
Rich. Seems to not care what others think, but also follows a set of "rah rules"
4. Their appearance?
Upper class - Casual clothes, "traditional" style.
Posh - More modern, a little less casual.
Rah - Casual, polo shirts, rugby tops.
5. Their clothes/brands?
The SHAC might be worth asking.
6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc)
Upper class - Again "traditional" vocabulary.
Posh - Looking to impress, longer words.
Rah - Understated, casual.
7. Their leisure activities and sports?
Upper class/rah - Hunting, polo, rugby.
Posh - Swimming, rugby.
8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc)
The ones mentioned. Perhaps with posh not caring so much about fox hunting, rather just trying to agree with the upper class.
9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc)
Alex, James, Frasier, William, Charlie.
Eleanor, Katherine, Daisy, Helena.
Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
Yes.
Upper class are more traditional, earls etc.
Posh want to mix with the upper class, seem to try to impress.
Rah stick to themselves more, but tend to be more like the upper class.
Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?
All the time.
Any comments

Reply 11

Lara C.

Yoda OMG!!! you spoke in 1st person!

Reply 12

Yoda

Not once did yoda mention himself. It is acceptable to speak of others in this way for they are not as great as yoda.

Reply 13

libertin

1. Upper-class?
blue bloods/old money

2. Posh?
blue bloods/old money

3. Rah?
eccentricity

4. Their appearance?
young - prep
middle age - suits
old - green raincoats & wellies

5. Their clothes/brands?
Ralph Lauren, Abecrombie & Fitch

6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc)
RP. Lavatory, sofa, looking glass, napkin etc

7. Their leisure activities and sports?
fox hunting and polo

8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc)
varies

9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc)
Rupert/Tarquin
Regina/Lilith

Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
huh?

Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?
Yes.

Reply 14

-Cadi-

greyspring

Well isn´t that what the OP wants ?

it is EXACTLY what i wanted. I'm doing a project on perception of classes. THANK YOU GUYS! keep them coming :smile:

if it's easier just answer in one paragraph, taking into account the other questions; what do you see as the upper classes?

make it as stereotypical as you wish, if you're scared of what others might think you can always PM me! :wink:

Reply 15

BlackHawk

1. Upper-class? Old money, titles, landed gentry. NOT people who have money. Money doesn't buy class.
2. Posh? Again not money but people who have been raised traditionally a la debretts.
3. Rah? New money, people who are vulgar and flaunt their wealth.
4. Their appearance? Can be anything! I have two nighbors one who wears a flat cap and jeans, the other wears blazers and chinos.
5. Their clothes/brands? as above
6. Their vocabulary and sentences? (Settee/sofa, how do you do, etc) They're all different!
7. Their leisure activities and sports? as above.
8. Their stereotypical views? (Such as right-wing, fox hunting, etc) fox hunting isn't for posh people despite what most people think :rolleyes:

9. Stereotypical names? (Henry, Jemima, etc) none

10.Is there any difference between the 3 groups in the subjects mentioned?
Yes, quite a lot.

Do you socialise/encounter any of these groups on a day to day basis?
Yes both socialise and encounter quite a lot.

Any comments
I hate the fact that it's ok to say **** toffs but not **** the working class. Most views are downright sterotyped and incorrect!

Reply 16

Thud

BlackHawk

I hate the fact that it's ok to say **** toffs but not **** the working class. Most views are downright sterotyped and incorrect!

like hell. I hear people saying the equivalent of "**** the working class" a hell of a lot. This board is full of middle clarse students, it doesn't take much to see the blatant bias stereotypes and condescending attitudes present against the working class.