Upper class in britain

Who defines classes in Britain? In day to day life, I have met people across the spectrum -visiting ministers, high commissioners, intellectals,builders, teachers, bus drivers...
And, while this is my personalopinion, I cannot deny that classism is alive and well in England.

But who defines this class? Of all the people I have met - I can easily classify them by money,education or by their manners. Each of these class barriers has often been crossed.Poor people have become rich, the rich have defied conventional educational norms. The well taught rich have demonstrated awful manners.

Yet they say that the class divide in England is alive and well. And I have to agree. I came to this country ten years ago. Regardless of where I place myself on this heirarchy, I can recognise this difference when I see it.

The upper class is quiet and determined and goes about its business. Working with the people educated in the pulic schools and universities was easy. They knew how to work in a team, promises were made and kept and tempers were always even.

On the other hand, I have also spent a lot of time "living and working in the community". The type of people I meet here are definitely different. Not because of their accent or money. Not necessarily because of the depth or breadth of their knowledge (note I do not say education) or skills. But because of their work ethic.

The working classes, for this is what they were called, are clearly identified by their disinclination to work.
While the upper classes are always more than willing to do their fair share,paid or unpaid.

In a previous post I wrote of my experience with people who were happy to say - "thats not my job" and how shocked I was at that attitude. I come from a place where they still say " work is worship" and you dont stop till the job is done and is done well. I still know people who work 60-100 hours a week and are not called working class.

I also know working class people who start work at 9 and finish at 3 (golfing hours?), who work 37 hours a week, who say "its done" when its not and who can go to bed pleased that they have cheated the system.

Sorry mate, you cannot all cheat the system and expect it to survive. Some time soon, it will collapse. Behold the fear of recession.

What is the connection between class and the economy? Simple: Productivity.

duh?? Come back next time and I will have another post that explains this.