It became working class, that wasn't it's original identity.
I guess it's working class as so many working class people holidayed there e.g. miners etc and the Glaswegians that visit en masse every Summer.
It caters for the people that frequent it. It used to cate for middle class people too but as they went abroad the working classes stayed and spent their money. Cheap package holidays mean Blackpool has a pretty hard time of it numbers wise as the working class go abroad too.
It seems .... sort of push and pull.. it can't be the place that's working class. Has to be the people. I guess. |
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"Read a news article this morning, that blackpool tower was a symbol of a working class seaside resort. Which made me wonder. What makes something working class? And is it really desirable.? "
I think that "Working Class" in these situations has come to mean "A cheap alternative" to what people really want... because the real thing is too expensive for "The Masses".
Cal |
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I genuinely don't know what working class is anymore. I grew up working class and it's what I associate myself with. But on paper I'm not anymore.
I didn't think many of any class wanted to holiday in the old Victorian seafront resorts. Which is why they are quite deprived areas in general? So I'm surprised it's a symbol of the working class to be honest |
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With the railways came the opportunity for workers and families to travel out of the industrial areas which weren't the healthiest, initially a lot of it was days out and the hospitality industry grew from there mostly at the seaside resorts..
The middle and upper classes were doing 'grand tours' or had places in the countryside with clean air etc..
Bognor, Margate, Skegness and Blackpool were pretty much at the forefront if you hear the phrase working class holidays ..
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"Read a news article this morning, that blackpool tower was a symbol of a working class seaside resort. Which made me wonder. What makes sonething working class? And is it really desirable.? "
Not desirable no but what the vast majority of people are, the Top 1% followed by maybe 24% middle class leaves the rest of us.
The majority work hard all week, maybe own a home & a couple of cars but barely have enough savings to last 6 months with no income.
Many rent & have no real savings but as the class issue is contentious many don't accept it.
We are all striving for more.
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E.g. Cruises, Harrods tea rooms, upmarket resorts abroad, long distance travel, university, the professions are all available to the 'working class' nowadays. Does it make the thing itself working class? |
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"E.g. Cruises, Harrods tea rooms, upmarket resorts abroad, long distance travel, university, the professions are all available to the 'working class' nowadays. Does it make the thing itself working class? "
That's kind of it to me, I was brought up working class, never even went on holiday as a kid. But I worked and done many of those things you've mentioned above. Though many of my friends haven't. Maybe nowadays it's a mentally not a job or what you do or have? |
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"E.g. Cruises, Harrods tea rooms, upmarket resorts abroad, long distance travel, university, the professions are all available to the 'working class' nowadays. Does it make the thing itself working class?
That's kind of it to me, I was brought up working class, never even went on holiday as a kid. But I worked and done many of those things you've mentioned above. Though many of my friends haven't. Maybe nowadays it's a mentally not a job or what you do or have? "
I agree with you on that. I think it's an attitude.
I'm happy that so many things are available to so many people although the some are doing their best to take them away  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'm working class,I drink in social clubs,i live in a town with rows of houses built for the workers who worked in the mills,most are gone,but the term working class means an altogether different thing now,I'm not even sure what that is anymore |
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I was born into and grew up working class, in my wider family no one had been to University etc, homes were all rented from the Council..
Now there's several direct family who own businesses and employ others plus many have been to University and whilst some still rent (some from other people who live locally) the majority 'own' their homes..
Whilst the difference in living standards has increased massively I don't think any would not describe themselves as working class but it's not really a subject that's raised tbh..
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By *host63Man
over a year ago
Bedfont Feltham |
I regard myself as working class. My work puts me in that category. A caveat that although My education was not the best I am an aviation reader with a lot of knowledge and a wide range of interests outside of work and own a home and go abroad for events that my hobby sends me.
I a have no problem being seen as working class and take pride in it. Inwas bought up to always be the best you can look after ymyself and dress well.
I maybe a working man but I have class |
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I have a lot of love for Blackpool. Been going ever since I remember. The idea of class is a funny thing. Economically and neighbourhood wise growing up I'm very working class. Culturally that's more complex. My family background is poor and working class. But my parents were also very worldly, cultured and wise. So as a result I'm hard to pigeon hole because I am both. I've seen over the years Blackpool's attempts to court the middle classes with their attempts of clean up, gentrification and offerings of more expensive activities/attraction. Especially in the wake of the staycation boom. Which has worried me because every family need a holiday and I don't want to see the low income families priced out of Blackpool how ever much the Blackpool council trys to replace them with a more desirable crowd. However watching the place over the last few years they have not been able to change the general demographic. The massive volume of B&B accommodation keeps the option of budget accommodation vibrant. And the Middle classes still see Blackpool of dirty, unsafe and uncouth (they can't see its real charms). Despite Blackpool's efforts the staycation wealth see's Cornwall and North Wales far more trendier. I think a lot of those who do spend on the expensive Blackpool are generally the financially well off but Culturally working class (not exactly fitting Blackpool councils dream guests). Personally I wish they would spend their efforts just making Blackpool a good budget resort full of good amenities/facilities rather than trying to make it something it'll never be with lofty posh projects. That's my two pence anyways.
Mr |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I regard myself as working class. My work puts me in that category. A caveat that although My education was not the best I am an aviation reader with a lot of knowledge and a wide range of interests outside of work and own a home and go abroad for events that my hobby sends me.
I a have no problem being seen as working class and take pride in it. Inwas bought up to always be the best you can look after ymyself and dress well.
I maybe a working man but I have class"
Spot on |
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I wonder how relevant working class / middle class is to describing things and people. Perhaps it had relevance in the last.. Perhaps not. But i think it seems to be used often now by people who are trying to say something. But are too scared to say what they really mean.? |
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It’s a great and important question-one I’ve grappled with myself for a long time.
I used to define working class as someone who owns only their labour power, and who does not own the means of production.
I now define it as someone who gets the vast majority of their income from their job-a job that requires no specialist qualifications or expertise to apply for.
I realise that this definition isn’t perfect, but is any? |
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"I wonder how relevant working class / middle class is to describing things and people. Perhaps it had relevance in the last.. Perhaps not. But i think it seems to be used often now by people who are trying to say something. But are too scared to say what they really mean.? "
Probably.
The phrase has become associated with certain behaviours, tastes and attitudes but given that the vast majority of us would qualify as working class it's a bit daft.
I think there are only two classes.
Them and us. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I probably am working class .My dad was a miner and although I have a job you do need qualifications for, I still need a second one to be able to afford to live.
I don't really give the class system much thought, I see people for their character.
That said I start a new job on Monday where I'm going to be confronted by class divides and coming from a social care background it's going to be a tough adjustment and has left me wondering if I'll fit in . |
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What amazes me is the amount of working class millionaires who still tell us they no how we feel as the came from a working class back ground whilst wearing a £15 grand watch and driving a car that would pay your mortgage off |
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"What amazes me is the amount of working class millionaires who still tell us they no how we feel as the came from a working class back ground whilst wearing a £15 grand watch and driving a car that would pay your mortgage off"
If they came from a working class background they might know how we feel. The trappings of wealth don't always cause amnesia, although I'll admit they sometimes do  .
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