Table manners

Nothing screams "PROLE" louder than not having a college degree before age 25.

A graduate degree generally signals at least middle-middle class status, but lack of a graduate degree doesn't symbolize much. Almost all the upper-upper (out of sight) class have college degrees earned before 25 but for many that's the highest degree obtained (a BA from Harvard, Yale etc. is very prestigious).

A lot of teachers have (bogus) masters degrees - but this is because of the salary bump. And they're generally on the more prole side of middle class rather than upper middle.

An MD or PhD is almost a sign of at least upper middle class status. Good law programs as well, though lawyers with fourth tier programs are kind of prolish, or maybe a similar level to teachers.

Note that class isn't entirely about income. Enjoying school and getting degrees that are primarily about intellectual enrichment is a sign of upper middle class status.

Anonymous wrote:Teeth, speech, weight, well-fitting classic clothes, names of their kids, where they vacation

This one. Nailed it.

Really wish my husband would get his teeth straightened. It's the one thing that makes him appear to be from a class that he's not. Drives me bonkers.

Teeth, speech, weight, well-fitting classic clothes, names of their kids, where they vacation

I don't understand hanging onto yellow teeth as a badge of honor….but I really can't wrap by head around a woman owning three pairs of shoes. You must not play any sports. You must not go out in the rain. You must not go out in the snow. You must ….I just don't know.

3 pairs of shoes. Summer, winter, fall spring. 3 Pairs. It's like being a monk.

Names. Speech/grammar. Hobbies. Attitude towards education.

If you believe DCUM, then do these things:
* change your religion to Episcopalian;
* suit from Chanel and avoid see-through casual clothes from Zara http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/tops/view-all-c733890.html
* get your shoes at Nordstrom (Nordstrom Rack if you're Nasty, Ms. Janet), certainly not acrylic Stripper Heels;
* get Invisalign and whitening treatments;
* laser tattoo removal;
* lacrosse, field hockey and polo classes;
* diction lessons, if needed!

Then you can walk into Congressional Country Club and blend in with perfect camouflage!

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.

Cool story, bro

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.

Our pediatric dentists must have gone to school together! He retired 10 years ago (too bad for my kids) but he was VEHEMENT that whitening was unhealthy and that many/most people have off-white to yellow dentine (tooth pulp) , which couldn't be changed anyway.

Grammar

Religion.

Middle class and up tend to belong to either "mainline" denominations (Episcopalians, Presbyterians etc.) if Protestant or tend to secular/atheist/humanist/nonreligious.

The working class and poor in America are usually much more religious, and if Protestant belong to fundamentalist churches like Baptists and Pentecostals.

There are of course lots of working class Catholics too, although there are plenty of well to do Catholics too.

Straight teeth, not overweight, sporty, good hair on women (cut/color), short clean nails. Polite manners, well spoken.

Well, seems that class and SES are getting confused. I don't think you can judge SES on the cover. For class, I think anyone who obsessed over how much money stangers may or may not make, shows their lack of class.

What you eat;
Weight;
Visible tattoos;
Teeth - not necessarily the color (unless it's terrible) but straight or not;
Car - to an extent - not so hard to lease a luxury car these days
If you have an ivy degree - sorry but it does indicate a certain "success"

Teeth. Speech. Sports they play or watch.

I don't care that much about someone's shoes because that doesn't always indicate status esp if it's something like sneakers. Can't judge much by what someone drives because around here it's more than likely that the really wealthy have more than 1 car and usually it's a high end SUV paired with a go-to work car like a Camry or Accord. Nothing wrong w those 2 types, but just saying that judging by car isn't always accurate.

I think clothes is a hit or miss. Some people esp guys just don't know how to shop beyond essentials.