Firstly, what is upper-class? Many people think that upper-class just means people who are very rich - well, they are, but a different kind of rich than people who tend to buy luxury cars and clothes. According to Investopedia, a person who holds the highest position and rank in society is referred to as upper-class. In the social order, these individuals are regarded as the wealthiest and are situated above the working and middle classes.
So while rich people are easy to spot from their flaunting of their wealth, upper-class people usually tend to be less noticeable. But there are quite a few things that make you realize that you are probably on a slightly different level.
One Reddit user started a discussion online asking folks to share what in their opinion screams ‘I’m upper-class’. People online listed quite a few different things, varying from the way they speak, dress or act. But what would you say shows that a person is upper-class? Share your thoughts below!
More info: Reddit
#1
I’m British, and it’s interesting reading this thread and seeing what I can only presume are Americans who clearly think being Upper Class and being rich are synonyms and describing behaviours attached to the latter status as being markers of the former.
Upper Class over here means something very different – imagine going for a walk in the countryside and running into some old dude dressed like a tramp and driving a beaten up landrover and having a pleasant conversation with him and then going to the pub in the next village only to have the locals tell you he was the Duke of Barsetshire and his family have been maintaining that land for the last 600 years – that is Upper Class. Those who are genuinely Upper Class may be rich, but they usually don’t show it and definitely don’t go in for conspicuous consumption.
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237points
#2
Not caring how expensive your belongings are, ppl who flaunt wealth aren't upper class
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123points
#3
Clothes without obvious branding, but the patterns/designs match at the seams.
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123points
#4
I work in entomology and often have to go to professional conferences and awards ceremonies where people are vying to connect with potential donors. There’s one older lady I always see, and while everyone else is dressed in suits and ties, or formal dresses, she’s dressed like a monarch butterfly. Butterfly earrings, butterfly wings on her back, orange as the setting sun.
If you can dress like a goddamn butterfly in a room full of professionals, you have enough money to not give a s**t about anyone else.
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114points
#5
NEVER talking about money.
Talking about money in public is seen as cheap and distasteful.
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87points
#6
The way someone walks into a room. At least here in the UK, there’s a kind of old money upper class you can just spot as soon as you meet someone. Their level of self-confidence is wholly uninfluenced by their surroundings, it’s just something built-in. No matter the situation, no matter if they make a fool of themselves, they are completely oblivious and unaffected by it.
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81points
#7
My partner and I picked up one of our kids from a play date and the other kids mom commented on my beard because her husband also grows one ‘at the same time’. Confused I asked her if her husband’s beard was seasonal and she explained that he grows one in advance of piloting the yacht to ‘the islands’ but she makes him shave it off after she and the kids have taken the plane to meet him.
I grow mine to keep bits of egg in.
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73points
#8
Being frugal, not cheap, but knowing how, when and where to spend your money
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67points
#9
Talking about going to your lake house, but not in a boastful way... in an I assume everyone has a lake house kind of way.
58points
#10
No cash but asset rich with a crumbling family home built in the 14th century, that hasn’t been maintained.
Beaten up Range Rover with private number plate.
Family history has so many ‘skeletons in the closet’
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54points
#12
i teach rich kid preschool. i looked up prices for some of the brand name coats they wore over the last winter and they average around $1000usd. they are 4~5 years old. they're not gonna fit in those next winter. they don't realize they're rich, they're mostly pretty wonderful kids.
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44points
#14
"Back when I was the ambassador to ..."
It was at this point I realised I should keep my uncultured mouth shut, refuse alcohol and not delight the people around me with tales of Northern Ireland, especially the ones about incest. Also that maybe wearing a cheap dress from Shein wasn't one of my better ideas.
37points
#16
When they visit your tiny house, and say "it's cozy". My upper class friend said this first time she came over and I teased her about it to no end, we had a good laugh.
35points
#17
I once had a friend who owned one of the Island off the shore of Istanbul. Never once flaunted his wealth.
On the other hand this new rich kid always showed his new watch or something like that.
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35points
#18
“No, I CAN park there. It’s just $30.”
Said when parking in a “No Parking” zone.
32points
#19
Lean and fit when in middle age. Poor people almost always look bad by middle age. This is the biggest giveaway. Also adding not knowing much about their local city as they have no need to venture out of their neighborhoods. And travelling to expensive destinations and staying in branded 5 star hotels each time.
31points
#20
Going to a prestigious school despite having mediocre grades.
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23points