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Hamish Forbes, in both of your posts with examples of "low" vs. "high" class people, you refer to the massage parlor worker as "he/she", but your classics professor or other desirable person is "he." Might want to take a look at your unconscious stereotypes there.
How do you know that my stereotypes are unconscious? You just deliberately tried to stick your finger into my eye over this issue -- maybe I was willfully trying to do the same thing to people like you.
So upper middle class is more than a money thing? You have to graduate from the rights schools? Go to the right colleges? Belong the the Right Golf Clubs?
I would disagree with this. While working in a massage parlor or stripe club for tips is not exactly seen as desirable professions, they do pay well. The great thing about this country is the ability for anyone, no matter poor to become wealthy though hard work and/or luck. Also people that are wealthy can become poor if they make lousy financial decisions. Just because you were born rich or poor doesn't mean you are stuck in that social class.
You are definetly not over 25 yet huh.
Anyways, he is middle class. If your net worth was higher you'd be upper middle. Get a promotion and start maing 6 figures. Your rent is too high and sounds unecessary if you live by yourself.
sounds like you are making some really good decisions,,,,
you would be high class in maine-
like someone else said- be prepared to be attacked, you played by the rules, you are making the right decisions,
you should be rewarded for it....but, dont be surprised if you get an attitude- a large part of this country likes to punish achievement,,,,because you havent suffered the social and economic ills that many do (because of their bad decisions) why do you deserve more?? or why do they deserve less?? (the democrat party platform)
doesnt make any sense,
you should be heralded and propped up "this is what you can do and be" by the age of 30, if you work hard and stay out of trouble- in fact, the media should be doing features on the younger generation,,like yourself,,than feature a mother with 5 kids and 4 different fathers, and its "societies fault"
How do you know that my stereotypes are unconscious? You just deliberately tried to stick your finger into my eye over this issue -- maybe I was willfully trying to do the same thing to people like you.
See I told you that you were classy. How can we not love the "Three Stooges" and how Moe always found a way to poke Larry in the eye?
All of this is relative. Maybe I am related to Curley. I seem to have my tongue pulled all the time.
I'm reminded of Paul Fussell's book, "Class: a Guide through the American Status System". It's an insouciant jab at an "egalitarian" society (in the modern US) which in fact is rigidly hierarchical. Fussell argues that angst over class-status is quintessentially middle-class, rendering the OP middle class regardless of his financial wherewithal.
That said, the question of "what class am I" is not entirely trite. It has two important implications: first, how does one interact with older and more established coworkers, who have more money because they have been around longer. What if one has more education, speaks more languages, reads more books... how does one garner the respect of his elders? Is their respect even worth it? The question is quite topical for a young person trying to rise professionally, without coming across as arrogant or manipulative. It is important for the office-dynamic. Second, and even more important, are the implications for dating. Social class still largely determines the pool of eligible dates. Dating "too high" might explain an inordinately high percentage of rejections, while dating "too low" might explain why potential dates are uninteresting and can't hold a worthwhile conversation.
Class shouldn't define us, but it does partially define how others define us, so to speak.
Good for you to make that income at your age. And I applaud you for putting money away for retirement, that shows forward thinking. I know in some parts of the country $65,000 would be upper middle class, some lower middle class. I don't think any of that matters. It appears you have a plan and goals in mind. Great to hear!
Based on your background I would say you are solidly middle class. If/when you are able to save 2M liquid assets you would be considered rich in most of the country (not sure about LA), but you wouldn't automatically be upper class.
I was having a discussion with my roommate last night on what the middle class looks like. I tend to think of myself as middle class, but I wanted to get everyone opinions on it...
I make $65k/year
I'm 29, male
I have no debt
I rent a high-end apartment in Los Angeles
I save about $1500 - $2000 a month (retirement and mutual funds)
I drive a paid for 2009 Toyota with 46000 miles on it.
I am single, no dependents, no kids
I have a networth of about $150k
I work a full-time job, Monday - Friday
I don't feel strapped for cash, but I'm relativity conservative with my money
What am I? Lower class? Middle Class? Upper Middle Class? If I continue saving like I have been... I will be on my way to Upper Middle Class in the next 10 years, correct?
You're surely middle class, on your way to upper middle class or wealthy.
I'm reminded of Paul Fussell's book, "Class: a Guide through the American Status System". It's an insouciant jab at an "egalitarian" society (in the modern US) which in fact is rigidly hierarchical. Fussell argues that angst over class-status is quintessentially middle-class, rendering the OP middle class regardless of his financial wherewithal.
That said, the question of "what class am I" is not entirely trite. It has two important implications: first, how does one interact with older and more established coworkers, who have more money because they have been around longer. What if one has more education, speaks more languages, reads more books... how does one garner the respect of his elders? Is their respect even worth it? The question is quite topical for a young person trying to rise professionally, without coming across as arrogant or manipulative. It is important for the office-dynamic. Second, and even more important, are the implications for dating. Social class still largely determines the pool of eligible dates. Dating "too high" might explain an inordinately high percentage of rejections, while dating "too low" might explain why potential dates are uninteresting and can't hold a worthwhile conversation.
Class shouldn't define us, but it does partially define how others define us, so to speak.
I agree with the suggestion of your post that class is about much more than money.
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