SES Indicators

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is funny. What is the deal with teeth? DH and I both have yellow teeth (mine way more than his), not because of smoking or drinking coffee/tea (we do none of these/never did) but because we were born with yellow teeth. We have super healthy teeth (haven't had dental work in over 25 years). Both of us had braces though, so we have nice, but very yellow teeth (and we are not going to start bleaching). We also wear pretty cheap shoes, usually from TJ Maxx, Ross, or a similar place. Both of us have 3 pairs of shoes each. I buy most of my clothes at TJ Maxx. Our household income puts us in the top 1%, and we bought a 1 million dollar house at age 31 (first time home buyers with all our own money--no parent contributions), but I'm sure one look at our yellow teeth and cheapo shoes and no one would think that. We choose to spend our money on other things than teeth bleaching and shoes.

This isn't high ses. A one million dollar home isn't unusual for this area. Look around at listings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is funny. What is the deal with teeth? DH and I both have yellow teeth (mine way more than his), not because of smoking or drinking coffee/tea (we do none of these/never did) but because we were born with yellow teeth. We have super healthy teeth (haven't had dental work in over 25 years). Both of us had braces though, so we have nice, but very yellow teeth (and we are not going to start bleaching). We also wear pretty cheap shoes, usually from TJ Maxx, Ross, or a similar place. Both of us have 3 pairs of shoes each. I buy most of my clothes at TJ Maxx. Our household income puts us in the top 1%, and we bought a 1 million dollar house at age 31 (first time home buyers with all our own money--no parent contributions), but I'm sure one look at our yellow teeth and cheapo shoes and no one would think that. We choose to spend our money on other things than teeth bleaching and shoes.

All that is great. But you don't LOOK wealthy, which is the point of OP's thread. It's fine if you are, and if you don't care if you don't look it (admirable, actually). People are just saying, when they see someone with teeth that don't look cared for, cheap clothing, etc. it doesn't project the image of that person being wealthy. That's all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is funny. What is the deal with teeth? DH and I both have yellow teeth (mine way more than his), not because of smoking or drinking coffee/tea (we do none of these/never did) but because we were born with yellow teeth. We have super healthy teeth (haven't had dental work in over 25 years). Both of us had braces though, so we have nice, but very yellow teeth (and we are not going to start bleaching). We also wear pretty cheap shoes, usually from TJ Maxx, Ross, or a similar place. Both of us have 3 pairs of shoes each. I buy most of my clothes at TJ Maxx. Our household income puts us in the top 1%, and we bought a 1 million dollar house at age 31 (first time home buyers with all our own money--no parent contributions), but I'm sure one look at our yellow teeth and cheapo shoes and no one would think that. We choose to spend our money on other things than teeth bleaching and shoes.

This isn't high ses. A one million dollar home isn't unusual for this area. Look around at listings.

At 31, with no parent help, that's significant, and you look out of touch to suggest it isn't.

[Anonymous]

I can't understand being OK with yellow teeth.

[Anonymous]

Straight teeth usually means someone at least grew up in a middle class family to afford braces and good dental care!
tattoos in obvious places screams bad decision making/low income because you don't know any better. My coworker who barely scrapes by, has tattoos on her chest/neck that costs like $500. She can barely afford to support her kid. Low class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't understand being OK with yellow teeth.

Seriously. If I had yellow teeth and could afford a million dollar home, I'd be willing to splurge on some teeth whitening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't understand being OK with yellow teeth.

Seriously. If I had yellow teeth and could afford a million dollar home, I'd be willing to splurge on some teeth whitening.

PP here who has the yellow teeth and high income. The reason I do not whiten my teeth is because my childhood dentist (who I saw for 25 years and trusted) advised me against it, saying even he would not do teeth whitening himself and he does not offer it at his dental practice because he questions the safety of it. He said embrace your natural color, even though it is yellow. Makes sense to me. I don't want to risk weakening my enamel. I have straight and strong teeth, have not needed any dental work in almost 30 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of hicks have a ton of money, so you can never tell.

Pp here. This is my point exzctly; though your delivery is most succinct

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is funny. What is the deal with teeth? DH and I both have yellow teeth (mine way more than his), not because of smoking or drinking coffee/tea (we do none of these/never did) but because we were born with yellow teeth. We have super healthy teeth (haven't had dental work in over 25 years). Both of us had braces though, so we have nice, but very yellow teeth (and we are not going to start bleaching). We also wear pretty cheap shoes, usually from TJ Maxx, Ross, or a similar place. Both of us have 3 pairs of shoes each. I buy most of my clothes at TJ Maxx. Our household income puts us in the top 1%, and we bought a 1 million dollar house at age 31 (first time home buyers with all our own money--no parent contributions), but I'm sure one look at our yellow teeth and cheapo shoes and no one would think that. We choose to spend our money on other things than teeth bleaching and shoes.

This isn't high ses. A one million dollar home isn't unusual for this area. Look around at listings.

At 31, with no parent help, that's significant, and you look out of touch to suggest it isn't.

I must be out of touch then. For a 25 year old I would be rather impressed but not for a married 30+. My husband and I are in the same boat and I wouldn't consider us high SES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is funny. What is the deal with teeth? DH and I both have yellow teeth (mine way more than his), not because of smoking or drinking coffee/tea (we do none of these/never did) but because we were born with yellow teeth. We have super healthy teeth (haven't had dental work in over 25 years). Both of us had braces though, so we have nice, but very yellow teeth (and we are not going to start bleaching). We also wear pretty cheap shoes, usually from TJ Maxx, Ross, or a similar place. Both of us have 3 pairs of shoes each. I buy most of my clothes at TJ Maxx. Our household income puts us in the top 1%, and we bought a 1 million dollar house at age 31 (first time home buyers with all our own money--no parent contributions), but I'm sure one look at our yellow teeth and cheapo shoes and no one would think that. We choose to spend our money on other things than teeth bleaching and shoes.

This isn't high ses. A one million dollar home isn't unusual for this area. Look around at listings.

At 31, with no parent help, that's significant, and you look out of touch to suggest it isn't.

I must be out of touch then. For a 25 year old I would be rather impressed but not for a married 30+. My husband and I are in the same boat and I wouldn't consider us high SES.

If you bought a million dollar home at 31 with no help, then yes, that's special, and yes, you're out of touch if you think it's not. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Manners.

+1

Class is how one treats other people (not by speech, but in action).

And this has nothing to do with how much money you have. I'm guessing OP was wondering more about indicators that someone has some money to spend.

It's neither. Socio-economic class has nothing to do with "being classy" and everything to do with savings/investment income/financial stability and education/prestige of occupation, etc.

It's not a matter of please-and-thank-you manners so much as mannerisms.

Socia economic class is not just about money. It is not just about education or job status. Manners and speech are part of the rest of it, as are childhood experiences and connections. Plus, the money bit isn't just about income, it is also about generational wealth and spending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is funny. What is the deal with teeth? DH and I both have yellow teeth (mine way more than his), not because of smoking or drinking coffee/tea (we do none of these/never did) but because we were born with yellow teeth. We have super healthy teeth (haven't had dental work in over 25 years). Both of us had braces though, so we have nice, but very yellow teeth (and we are not going to start bleaching). We also wear pretty cheap shoes, usually from TJ Maxx, Ross, or a similar place. Both of us have 3 pairs of shoes each. I buy most of my clothes at TJ Maxx. Our household income puts us in the top 1%, and we bought a 1 million dollar house at age 31 (first time home buyers with all our own money--no parent contributions), but I'm sure one look at our yellow teeth and cheapo shoes and no one would think that. We choose to spend our money on other things than teeth bleaching and shoes.

This isn't high ses. A one million dollar home isn't unusual for this area. Look around at listings.

At 31, with no parent help, that's significant, and you look out of touch to suggest it isn't.

I must be out of touch then. For a 25 year old I would be rather impressed but not for a married 30+. My husband and I are in the same boat and I wouldn't consider us high SES.

Yup, you're out of touch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is funny. What is the deal with teeth? DH and I both have yellow teeth (mine way more than his), not because of smoking or drinking coffee/tea (we do none of these/never did) but because we were born with yellow teeth. We have super healthy teeth (haven't had dental work in over 25 years). Both of us had braces though, so we have nice, but very yellow teeth (and we are not going to start bleaching). We also wear pretty cheap shoes, usually from TJ Maxx, Ross, or a similar place. Both of us have 3 pairs of shoes each. I buy most of my clothes at TJ Maxx. Our household income puts us in the top 1%, and we bought a 1 million dollar house at age 31 (first time home buyers with all our own money--no parent contributions), but I'm sure one look at our yellow teeth and cheapo shoes and no one would think that. We choose to spend our money on other things than teeth bleaching and shoes.

You have money now, but you and your husband grew up working or lower middle class, I am assuming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't understand being OK with yellow teeth.

Seriously. If I had yellow teeth and could afford a million dollar home, I'd be willing to splurge on some teeth whitening.

PP here who has the yellow teeth and high income. The reason I do not whiten my teeth is because my childhood dentist (who I saw for 25 years and trusted) advised me against it, saying even he would not do teeth whitening himself and he does not offer it at his dental practice because he questions the safety of it. He said embrace your natural color, even though it is yellow. Makes sense to me. I don't want to risk weakening my enamel. I have straight and strong teeth, have not needed any dental work in almost 30 years.

Are you in the corporate world? Are you aware that the whitening technology has greatly improved in the past few years?

[Anonymous]

Go read Paul Fussell's class. Some of it is out of date, but will give you an idea of what to look for.

http://www.amazon.com/Class-Through-American-Status-System/dp/0671792253