[Winhes2]

It has been quoted on this board previously: Post quoting Fussell on ties and social class

But here a blogger has offered visual example and included more of the text: Blog of Fussell on ties and social class with examples

Not expressing an opinion on Fussell's sociology, was researching emblematics and found the article an amusing read.

We could make this a fun thread if some are willing to post images of things in their, or "their friend's", closets that are mentioned well down Fussell's list. Because, seriously, what he describes as "blobs" may be lovely, but usually are not that funny.

Here are three from my closet which he mentions well down the list: Fussellesque ties and my tie with TGIF written on it is currently loaned to a relative.

 

[Flanderian]

It has been quoted on this board previously: Post quoting Fussell on ties and social class

But here a blogger has offered visual example and included more of the text: Blog of Fussell on ties and social class with examples

Not expressing an opinion on Fussell's sociology, was researching emblematics and found the article an amusing read.

We could make this a fun thread if some are willing to post images of things in their, or "their friend's", closets that are mentioned well down Fussell's list. Because, seriously, what he describes as "blobs" may be lovely, but usually are not that funny.

Here are three from my closet which he mentions well down the list: Fussellesque ties and my tie with TGIF written on it is currently loaned to a relative.

Very entertaining! Thank you!

Caused me to look down at my belt, which is maroon surcingle with embroidered game birds. Upper middle class sport, hum? Don't know about the upper middle class, but they got the sport right, As in, "Hey, sport!"

:happy:

 

[zzdocxx]

Flanderian, was it you who recommended Prof. Flussell's 1983 book, "Class: A Guide Through the American Status System" to me ?

Seriously, it is one of my all time favorites and I even bought a few used copies (cheap) to give to other people to read. It was for me really eye-opening. Funny and harsh and sometimes embarrassing to read ! ! !

 

[zzdocxx]

"Small white dots against a dark background, perhaps the most conservative tie possible, are favored by the uppers and upper-middles and, defensively, by those nervous about being thought low, coarse, drunken or cynical, like journalists and TV news readers and sportscasters, and by those whose fiduciary honor must be thought beyond question, like the trust officers working for the better metropolitan banks. "

The part about the journalists etc., lol ! and , didn't realize they were held in such low regard, hey they are on TV, celebrities, and I am not !

The book on social class was written in the 80's and someone smarter than I has pointed out that things have changed a bit since then, eg. the decline of the skilled crafts/labor and so forth.

 

[zzdocxx]

At the bottom of the middle class, just before it turns to high prole, we encounter ties depicting large flowers in brilliant colors, or simply bright "artistic" splotches. The message is frequently "I'm a merry dog."

Woof woof ! ! !

irate:

What does Professor Fussell think about my use of the emoji pictured above ?

That's what I'm saying though, if you have ever worn a tie such as that described, (and I probably have", well let's just say I have had a few good laughs at my own expense!

 

[drlivingston]

What an odd article.

 

[Dhaller]

It's been awhile since I read Fussell's book, but I seem to recall him greeting both Top Out of Sight and proles with equal contempt, "Class X" being the only acceptable option.

That said, I was always a foulard man myself, though I do confess to a few "novelty" ties (like a rep-style tie with DNA strands in place of stripes, from my "molecular biology" days).

(Funny thing is that Fussell's description of Class X is essentially what we now call "Millennials"... one wonders what he would make of them! In any case, quite a canny prediction.)

DH

 

[paul winston]

"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar" is attributed to Freud.
Things are often made more complicated then they are.
I have attached the image of my " Pussy on the mind " tie.
I created it to be funny.
Paul Winston
www.chippneckwear.com

 

[fishertw]

Does he mention neon bright single color ties which are tied to hang down nearly to the knees?

 

[Flanderian]

Does he mention neon bright single color ties which are tied to hang down nearly to the knees?

 

[Winhes2]

"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar" is attributed to Freud.
Things are often made more complicated then they are.
I have attached the image of my " Pussy on the mind " tie.
I created it to be funny.
Paul Winston
www.chippneckwear.com

If memory serves, I once had a similar tie. Except, instead of Freud, I believe it was Seuss inspired.

 

[zzdocxx]

Thinking of changing my handle to "Merry Dog".

 

[zzdocxx]

Do they compliment you on it, or object to it, or ? ? ?

 

[JLibourel]

"Small white dots against a dark background, perhaps the most conservative tie possible, are favored by the uppers and upper-middles and, defensively, by those nervous about being thought low, coarse, drunken or cynical, like journalists and TV news readers and sportscasters, and by those whose fiduciary honor must be thought beyond question, like the trust officers working for the better metropolitan banks. "

The part about the journalists etc., lol ! and , didn't realize they were held in such low regard, hey they are on TV, celebrities, and I am not !

The book on social class was written in the 80's and someone smarter than I has pointed out that things have changed a bit since then, eg. the decline of the skilled crafts/labor and so forth.

As someone who spent most of his career as a journalist (31 years), I fear we have very little "clout," "esteem," "prestige" or whatever (except for a few superstar figures). We are far, far lower on the social totem pole than physicians, doc! Admittedly, I was in "niche" journalism, but my brother-in-law, who is a valued staff writer for a great metropolitan daily and was runner-up for a Pulitzer, would in all probability confirm what I am saying, I am confident.

 

[zzdocxx]

Funny, because in the last couple of years I have just started watching a couple of the cable networks' new programs, and some of those people seem pretty smart to me !

Well they seem to know alot about politics and there is an attorney or three sprinkled throughout the group here and there.

 

[richard warren]

I read that book when it came out. Being young and full of myself, I was impressed.

Now, not so much. His Class X or whatever it was seems to have turned out to be the harbinger of an era of vulgar narcissism, just like all other prior assertions by a self-described intellectual meritocratic elite of social dominance.

Best to just accept the fact that to those born wealthy, and even more so to those who have earned wealth, ordinary people are in a real sense not fully responsible humans. All attempts to bridge the gap by the inferiors, not matter how talented or smart they may be, will be fruitless and probably ugly since they will involve a rejection of the aesthetic that has evolved among the rich.

It’s the same for politicians in a different realm. Those who have not won an election just do not really count for anything.

 

[zzdocxx]

I don't totally get what you mean. I'm thinking you identified with his class X but have become disillusioned with it.

For me, I was trying to figure out the class I was socialized into, and saw some things that were embarrassing in a humorous way.

By the end I thought he was being awfully snarky, but just as a description of the various "classes" as he saw them, it was instructive to me.

One of the main theses I saw in the book is that most of the classes are trying, unconsciously or not, to appear to belong to a higher class than that to which they actually belonged. That in turn suggested those aspirations were pointless and a waste of energy.

On the other hand, I think that just like knowing how to dress to "fit in", or to not look ignorant, or whatever, knowledge of the different classes is useful information.

I could go on and on really. Some recent studies in the UK show that going back over 100 years, the same families tend to have more wealth and income than others. Also suggested was that efforts to level the playing field by promoting/hiring into higher level positions those people who came from lower socioeconomic backgrounds helped only modestly. The reason was that the people they hired didn't feel that comfortable and many of the self selected out of those jobs. ( recognizing this could be self serving propaganda)

A lot of this website addresses the issue of making impressions for professional and social reasons, and it has helped me a lot.

So I am thinking you identified with him when he was making the snarky (albeit very funny) comments about the different classes? I felt zinged a few times myself but helped to see things in better perspective.

OK I don't know if that makes any sense, but am I understanding your feelings about this?

Good day my freinds.

:beer:

I read that book when it came out. Being young and full of myself, I was impressed.

Now, not so much. His Class X or whatever it was seems to have turned out to be the harbinger of an era of vulgar narcissism, just like all other prior assertions by a self-described intellectual meritocratic elite of social dominance.

Best to just accept the fact that to those born wealthy, and even more so to those who have earned wealth, ordinary people are in a real sense not fully responsible humans. All attempts to bridge the gap by the inferiors, not matter how talented or smart they may be, will be fruitless and probably ugly since they will involve a rejection of the aesthetic that has evolved among the rich.

It's the same for politicians in a different realm. Those who have not won an election just do not really count for anything.