1966: Is the BRITISH CLASS SYSTEM Changing? | Man Alive | Voice of the People | BBC Archive

[@kcjd8659]

Mrs. Herbert is precious. I hope she and her cat enjoyed their simple life together for many, many years.

[@MarkEliasGrant]

It would be great to know her story or hear from her family.

[@peterfinch7872]

Mrs. Herbert is so lovely.......

[@jillyb9995]

I'm lost for words! So much to unpick from this episode.

[@EP3Stuff]

The two ladies just guessing the classes of the people coming down the stairs in full earshot of them with getting absolutely no response or hassle is golden 😂

[@Zlervo]

I found it hilarious 😂

[@garyrigby21]

They would have got hassle from some people I think they just got lucky there

[@lewis7515]

"DEHHF'NITELEH, I should-imag'n, *_UN_* -skilled workah!..."

[@steadyeddie7]

They weren't 'ladies' that's not how any lady would behave. They were two hags trying to be something they're not! 😂

[@neilparkin2487]

Vintage people watching

[@hilaryepstein6013]

1966 was a time when the so called working classes were coming into their own. People like Twiggy, David Bailey and of course Michael Caine were turning the class system on it's head. More from Man Alive please, they made some amazing films.

[@mattyfox666]

❤

[@briandelaney9710]

The year of the Labour landslide which helped it along

[@GeorgeKing-ms1vy]

Don't forget the Beatles, who were turning both the class system and the North-South divide on their heads.

[@sammemrys8195]

Although invisible, we do adhere to these lines or divisions, whether unspoken or outwardly acknowledged. It is part of the human condition to classify, and very few are able to ignore the differences completely, regardless of which end of the spectrum they come from.

[@garyrigby21]

You wouldn't know it from this show but there was so much good music in 66

[@tonycollazorappo]

I was 5 years old in 1966, wow.

[@garyrigby21]

@tonycollazorappo remember all the good music on the radio back then?

[@CDeBeaulieu]

Class isn't about money or position. Rather it is cultural. Years ago there was a charity called 'the distressed gentlefolk association '. The ethos was that it helped upper class people who were financially embarrassed. Today, one cannot help but notice that the Deputy Prime Minister (theoretically A (upper-class)) is nonetheless of a lower class. She self defines herself as 'working-class'. Upper-class people historically described lower class individuals as 'nouveau riche' when they entered higher social circles because of wealth. The impact of industrialisation created many very rich people from humble beginnings. They were derided by the landed elite. In the middle-ages there were some men of non-noble birth who nonetheless occupied high positions of state through the medium of the established church. Examples such as Becket, Thomas Moore and Wolsey spring to mind. For the rest there was a strict heirarchy amongst nobles (all upper-class) and freemen in the Guilds (middle-class) and the peasantry (lowest). The present classification was set up by 'sociologists' who obviously were middle-class and did not understand the essence of culture and instead chose 'income' as the main arbiter of class.

[@damianfitzgerald1871]

This is incredibly interesting. How do you view the class system yourself? Also, in terms of cultural, what exactly do you mean by that? Do you mean the view of someone by others? Where they come from etc?

[@damianfitzgerald1871]

This is incredibly interesting. How do you view the class system yourself? Also, in terms of cultural, what exactly do you mean by that? Do you mean the view of someone by others? Where they come from etc?

[@CDeBeaulieu]

Cultural means shared values. So British upper classes tended towards private education (often boarding)​ ; common ideals of 'noblesse oblige' , the idea that with privilege came a duty to others less endowed; that the showing of emotion was weakness (hence the stiff upper lip), that service to King and Country was as important as life itself (in varying degrees); that it was essential to appreciate classical music ( and play an instrument) and classical literature to be well read; to know and follow rules of etiquette such as what fork to use and how to properly eat certain foods etc not put elbows on the table... stand up for those higher in status and ladies who enter a room etc and to know how to dance ball-room correctly to ride horses to a good standard, to shoot and fly-fish perhaps to fence. To treat servants politely and to treat those of the same class with formal respect. (Male barristers address each other as 'Sir' in the Inns of Court) This gives a rough idea of what I mean by culture in one of the classes. Boarding school particularly creates individuals who have learnt how to cope from a miserable (and often violent) introduction to life. The Culture in the other classes are similarly different to each other. There was a time when ambition was stifled amongst the working classes, with comments like 'who do you think you are' and 'that is not for the likes of us.' I knew a girl who chose to go to a secondary modern despite passing the 11+ because her parents expected her to work in a factory as soon as possible. There used to be a tradition among the working classes to go to a pub (their local) frequently particularly on a Friday or Saturday night as wages were paid on Fridays. Drunkeness was regarded as 'a laff' (they still do it as anyone who had gone on a package holiday to the Costas will tell you... many are drunk on the plane and see no harm in it at all). Upper-class people might be inebriated but excess is regarded with disgust. My point is that if (say) the privately educated younger son of a Lord decided to take on a job as a labourer he is still upper-class irrespective of the occupation. The culture of the middle-class is confused as it is a mixture from social mobility of the two extremes. The affected accent of the two women in the film is an example of those in one class trying to imitate another. (Harold Wilson went the other way pretending to be of the proletariat when he was nothing of the sort. The same was true of Tony Blair who also hid his public school roots from the general public but got on very comfortably as Prime Minister) Boris Johnson is obviously Upper-class and was similarly comfortable as PM because those around him shared the same class culture... also bound to a hierarchy based on the school and college and university. I quite agree the classes and who people belong to is interesting. The French have another category 'hors classe". The film was society in 1966. Today there are many new arrivals from overseas that have a different perception of class. Hindus for example live under a rigid caste system and can be different according to how they sre perceived here. I don't know whether Rishi Sunak under the caste system was high or low but under the British system he is obviously Upper-class . a@@damianfitzgerald1871

[@damianfitzgerald1871]

@ what a fantastic and informative reply. Thank you so much. It has made me understand a lot of my own situation actually. I don’t think I’ve ever realized it. Personally, I’m from working class Irish parents, but I went to a private school. My wife’s parents are both from working class backgrounds but her father became incredibly successful and she went to several very high end boarding schools. Her parents divide their time between the English country and Scottish highlands salmon fishing. Her father is amazing at being able to converse with Lords and, well, me. He is considered ‘new money’ but also incredibly highly respected in the work he does for the land, the rivers, and has gun trained dogs etc. I’m realizing (through your post) how my situation means I’ve witnessed such an intersection of class without fully realizing what has been driving all of these differing views. Everything you have written rings incredibly true. I’ve actually often struggled with how the working class perceive the upper class with much more vitriol than exists in the other direction. I’m going to spend time researching more on this now. Thank you for taking the time to write such an informed and informative reply. It’s astounding to me that my parents and in-laws would have been 20ish when this show aired, and yet one generation later, I have spent my entire life unaware that this existed and still exists. Best,

[@farzadjahanfard]

They are all very well spoken ❤ no matter what class they are from 👌🏼

[@RogueCylon]

We would assess these two ladies as solid B’s today. With a capital B.

[@daviddixey]

"They fill the fruit bowl several days a week."

[@Interlocutor67]

Now everyone speaks and acts lower class.

[@larkatmic]

Lives it too.

[@ftorres93]

Property prices in Quick Street Islington 2024 nearly £2M......... If only that lovely old lady knew the future

[@robbflynn4325]

The navvy fella had more nous and wisdom than any of the higher class people. Our family emigrated to the USA in 1983. I think they were tired of the UK class system. Dad came here as a welder, but they were amazed how they would attend parties, BBQs, and social events and end up rubbing shoulders with doctors and CEOs. The USA is definitely the place for a common working person to 'get on'. I know my parents did very well, and my own kids are also taking advantage of the opportunities here.

[@nigelbeaumont1109]

I couldn’t agree more… I left in 1987 to the US. England, in my opinion is Doomed.

[@robbflynn4325]

@nigelbeaumont1109 I think we are all pretty much in the same boat. All our leaders are complete nut jobs.

[@rob-fb5xs]

Sounds like it’s still the land of opportunity for your family. Why are there so many Americans on KZbin complaining about just about every aspect of life in the USA. No jobs, unemployment, homeless people, no medical system, student loans, consumer debt, terrible tv, terrible working environment/ conditions, no vacations, racism, political corruption, crime, fear, death of the American dream, you name it everything.

[@jameshardy6277]

I was just five years old when our family moved to the US in 1983. I loved it, Dad and sisters loved it! Unfortunately, my mother missed her parents and forced us all back to the UK after a 2-3 years. Sill to this day, I wished we'd stayed in the US. I'd move there in a heartbeat if I could. I've just got back from a 9,000 mile motorcycle road trip to the US and it certainly lived up to my expectations.

[@robbflynn4325]

@@jameshardy6277 never too late.

[@senor5677]

Brilliant in it's ghastlyness. Those class classification women were gold, heinously hilarious comedy gold.

[@mattyfox666]

That was fantastic, I love you The Duffels

[@ktsmells]

The class system still exists, and I experience it daily with interactions with certain clientele. Fortunately, 90% of people treat me no differently. The 10% come across as arrogant, rude and treat you differently from your accent.

[@andrewrussell4707]

I had to look up the definition of the scale the ladies were referring to. A B C1 C2 D E etc The classification is interesting, but unfortunately in Britain today there are so many that are what’s termed as, ‘economically inactive’ the classification starts to become irrelevant.

[@minui8758]

E are the economically inactive. Pensioners, the sick, the unemployed etc.

[@jrsc01.]

2:17 - Looked like an 'upper class' couple, but didn't even use the correct side of the stairs lol

[@pierremartini2229]

Proof that they were upper class. Rules are not for them.

[@JJONNYREPP]

1966: Is the BRITISH CLASS SYSTEM Changing? | Man Alive | Voice of the People | BBC Archive 1345pm 30.11.24 they were obviously liberal upper class couple and probably slept ion the wrong side of the bed, also... did you sit and wonder what class you were, children? i found myself to be unclassifiable and there are several mental breakdowns been induced in the guys who like to pigeon hole the chap to prove this... goodbye.

[@Kennybooy9]

No doubt this is why so many poms left for Australia or New Zealand. To rid themselves of this ridiculous stuffy system

[@farmbrough]

That's one benefit I've found of moving from London to America.

[@CynCopeland-TheAnswerIsMeat]

I burst out laughing enough times that my hubby (a brit, born in Islington to a C2 family) made me rewind and we watched it together 😂

[@paulk1702]

A great example of the beginning of the end of 'Great' Britain. Little wonder that countries such as the USA, Japan and Australia have flourished since the late 60s, in comparison.

[@henchy3rd]

Putting people into box types. I’d say the class system is the same as always, the haves & have nots.

[@frankshailes3205]

The privileged trying to keep everyone else down, "know your place".

[@KatePerry-y5s]

Having or not having, has nothing to do with class!!!

[@daviddixey]

I was 1 in 1966. Very different world.

[@MarsPriest]

gosh, you're still alive!!

[@daviddixey]

Survived the WorkHouse!!​@@MarsPriest

[@garyrigby21]

Youngster!

[@garyrigby21]

66 was the best year ever for music in my opinion

[@Marcia_Toms]

Me too!

[@andrewrobinson2565]

The claustrophobia of "class" was the one thing that got me to leave the UK in the mid-eighties. Awful place.

[@tecnaman9097]

In Australia during the sixties we were a bit mocking of the British class system and insisted it didn't exist in Australia (not true of course.) The old saying Jack was as good as his master was the the Aussie motto. Listening to those ladies classify people into classes with their posh upper class accents made me chuckle. Nevertheless, in the sixties Australia really was the lucky country and many of the UK migrants from that era i'm sure would agree.

[@jameswillett7186]

Those women sound more upper middle class than upper class.

[@farmbrough]

​@@jameswillett7186yes, and one of them frankly sounds like a European who's learned to speak English very precisely.

[@khiggins7231]

Both B3 s

[@brianandrea3249]

Mate, walk down

[@brianandrea3249]

Walk down any street in Brighton and you will quickly see that a class system is alive and well in Australia. Its just that no body wants to admit it

[@railtonfeagus8539]

At 01:19, You can tell they're C2 "by the way they're carrying their luggage"...and some cynical people criticize Sociology for not being a serious science...

[@KatePerry-y5s]

Ordinary people spoke so well back then, compared to how they do today!!!!!

[@matthewtrow5698]

"ghastly plastic flowers" from the two survey women and then the awful snobbery of the nanny - what a horror show. I'd sooner spend a day with Mrs. Herbert back in those days than a single second with the awful snobs. Quite alarming just how condescending those times were.

[@PetrolTaster]

A salary of £4000 equates to £63000 in todays money. That's decent but probably not far above average in parts of london. Could it sustain a large house in Islington, a family and enough to send the children to a private school? Oddly enough there's a house on rightmove that looks like it's on the same road (Ripplevale grove). 3 bed, £3,475,000. put down a £1M deposit and stretch it over 45 years and you'll only have to pay £11,000 per month! But at least nowadays everyone can fill the fruit bowl several times a week!

[@garrylawless3550]

I think there is still a class system in the UK, it's just not talked about in the same way as it used to be. Interesting programme.👍🏻

[@farmbrough]

We still use the same letters for economic class.

[@2ToneWalt]

My ole gran would have been an E, I'd sooner know one of them, any day of the week.

[@farmbrough]

That's just a different type of snobbery.

[@1gerard47]

The one on the left in the picture, how does she classify her dentist?

[@lostmangos]

As non existant

[@GoogleAccount0]

That poor wife handling two children on the staircase while husband disengaged and bored.

[@Northernlights-gv4vx]

Interesting program. Jilly Coopers book “ Class “ is an interesting read.

[@benchippy8039]

0:27 the bog

[@johnwhale8316]

70-80 pounds a week was big money in 1966.

[@Peter-cz8hx]

70 pounds in 66 had the buying power of 1600 pounds today. so he was minted really. Dumbed that last bit down so I would fit in.😂

[@lordwalker71]

Considering the first lady was getting by on 4 pounds a week

[@annestevens3094]

Doesn’t know a budgie from a canary

[@hedgemist691]

It was becoming difficult in the mid '60s to classify people. These days, apart from the very lowest and the very highest echelons of society, the vast middling section is very difficult to categorize.

[@oldboygeorge7688]

Some people would love to return to these times

[@TtableWhey]

The Posh Nanny, "oh my upbringing was very ordinary, large house with tennis court and croquet lawn etc" - Oh, just like most people then.

[@gwheregwhizz]

In 2024, we have the 'social influencer'. Somebody with loads of money and zero class.

[@jameswillett7186]

People like that are called Rich Riff Raff

[@honeyfungus4774]

A nanny, ie a servant, looking down her nose at ordinary people. If her faux posh voice had been genuine, she wouldn't have worked as a servant.

[@briandelaney9710]

Toffee nosed

[@lordwalker71]

Sounds like she grew up in a affluent family but the money didnt last.

[@BayouDiddy]

I'm just here because I'm a fan of Pink Floyd.

[@fabshop6359]

Why is Johnny Cash talking in a posh English accent? 😂😂

[@BsktImp]

25:50 Yes, luv, we really believe you. Though Millions wouldn't. 🙄 It were so much easier when sumptuary laws were in place. Actually, scrap that, as they never really worked.

[@garyrigby21]

I don't like the class system I hated it in the sixties too

[@andrewrobinson2565]

+1 My mother insisted on calling the toilet (French root) the lavatory (Latin?). She was full of snobbery although she was C1. I left the country asap with the girl my mother didn't approve of in 1986 and never went back apart for a handful of visits. (P.S. just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary). 🇫🇷 This is cringeworthy TV. Here we're just immigrants and have French nationality since Brexit. 🇪🇺

[@demoisellelenina]

Wish the teachers now working in school was brought up by that nanny. We need Starmers to make us forget about classes dont we? if he plans for.

[@Alfredromeothatsme]

Can anyone translate the favourite meal of the army officer? Being a C2 I am stumped! 😀😀😀

[@hilaryepstein6013]

Fondue Bourguignonne. It's Swiss apparantly.

[@Alfredromeothatsme]

@hilaryepstein6013 Thanks Hilary

[@paulk1702]

Beef in cheese. Perhaps akin to a posh cheeseburger.

[@clarev7931]

Fascinating how stereotyped everyone was back then. Very little original thought by any of the classes, almost brain washed into staying in their tier in life. Felt very sorry for the navvy who was looked down on because his clothes were dirty.

[@cattyelse2372]

not so different now.people talk and live in stereotypes and bucket lists and now are slaves to tech. few real eccentrics

[@billlybunter]

And to me, we are all individuals, not classed and sitting in a box, but that's just me, Interesting video

[@13infbatt]

Shame we all don’t think that way.

[@DixieDaydreamer]

E, lowest class living in Islington. Ha ha! You probably couldn't get a cupboard for under £1m around that area these days!

[@mushy111]

12:00 that's quite clearly a canary

[@DeadSetOnDestruction]

And we're supposed to believe that we went to the moon around this time 😂😂😂😂

[@michaelharrison3602]

Washing machines etc in the garden are a give away

[@GaryGeezer-l2s]

Seeing as we have being ethnically replacing our working class with diverse, vibrant and enriching community, yes class has changed a lot.

[@heinkle1]

I can’t tell if this is sarcasm

[@mattyfox666]

Yes sir, I don't reckon Mrs Duffel would enjoy a holiday to France 🇫🇷 today 😂

[@mattyfox666]

"Mr Duffel do something, that coloured chap has stolen my skis"

[@GaryGeezer-l2s]

@@mattyfox666 "which one sir? Can't think you'll be getting those skis back then, seeing as we're the only white British people standing in this area"

[@moominmay]

@@heinkle1doesn’t matter it doesn’t make sense anyway- it’s point is just to focus hate on anything non white 🙄

[@JJONNYREPP]

1966: Is the BRITISH CLASS SYSTEM Changing? | Man Alive | Voice of the People | BBC Archive 1321pm 20.11.24 -may i use the official study at the vicarage, please? -pardon? -your bog. can i use the bog?

[@steadyeddie7]

It's the 'middle classes' you feel sorry for, aspiring to be upper class which they know they can never be and terrified of becoming working class aware that they will never be happy. Poor middle class sods! 😂 and might I say without the working class there would be no middle or upper class!

[@whiteonggoy7009]

Ask starmer, what's working class. 😊

[@csr7080]

Ask de Pfeffel what the working class is ☺️

[@Peter-cz8hx]

magicoal fire. 😂

[@adrianmitchell3230]

Class is not real it’s in the mind

[@samuelknight957]

Everything is in the mind.

[@michaelharrison3602]

It's the khaazi😅

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Talk about judging a book by its cover.

[@Martinique_36]

Unbelievable that I grew up during such a blatantly judgmental period of history. Neither of these people did a day’s work in their lives unlike the poor souls living hand to mouth on soup and toast.

[@ceased2care]

Those ladies don't really know what class is. It's why it fell. But correctly defined, it was a good thing. I miss it. Now there's just one massive, inconsiderate, phone wielding mobocracy. Trains are awful now

[@Sonya_Makepeace]

My Dad still calls it the dump.

[@peaceorpieces8343]

Think id be z class

[@josieblackett5715]

Hello BBC Archive, do you by any chance have the ‘Man Alive’ programme on higher education from April 1969? I would love to see it - thanks in anticipation.

[@EgoAlters]

The only thing that has changed, is that a new class has been added, the benefits-class.

[@JJONNYREPP]

Comments on ‘The Osmonds - Crazy Horses [HQ stereo]’

[@andrewrussell4707]

True

[@Progressive_Canadian]

This clip is a stark reminder of how class divisions in 60s Britain-and the "A-E" classifications-weren't just about consumer marketing. They reflect the same hierarchical thinking that fueled colonialism and shaped racist ideals still embedded in society today. The obsession with categorizing people by wealth, education, and language was exported through colonial rule, creating systems of oppression globally. The echoes of these practices are still felt, as they laid the groundwork for modern systemic racism and inequality. This isn't just history-it's a blueprint we’re still living with.

[@larkatmic]

Oh lord. Take your ‘woke’ narcissistic personality delusions and racist antiwhitism and learn to think as an individual, not as a lockstepper, indoctrinated by Marxist notions. Be more un ‘herd’ like. The air is so clear and void of gendered, racist, classist obsession when you do. People are unique, not special. I do wish you well and do try to do better. It’s 2024

[@DiscoStu76]

15:08 kier starmer is a time traveler. And a Computer User, Non Technical

[@apollonia6656]

At least they dressed like women ! There is a limit to all the present nonsense.

[@kiaraditmasa]

You look servantish but you are well dressed from Catherine in Hulu.

[@welshaccenttutorials3104]

White man's world back then

[@phillipcarter8045]

English country back then .

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

And you'd have been raging against the tunneller from Tiperary just as much. Grow up

[@nigelbeaumont1109]

I don’t think there’s any other Country that so obviously has a Class Distinction. Speaking with a Gob Full of Marbles. It’s ridiculous to hear. Snobbery was rife in England, not too sure if it still exists as I left there in 1987. I certainly am aware that England had gone to the Dogs.

[@admiralbenbow5083]

Where did you go to ?

[@nigelbeaumont1109]

@ To the USA

[@admiralbenbow5083]

@@nigelbeaumont1109 So now its all about money and the colour of your skin.

[@nigelbeaumont1109]

@@admiralbenbow5083 WTF are you talking about?

[@JayArgonauts]

Snobbery and class are frailties of human nature I’m afraid and exist in every level of society, although perhaps more acutely in England than anywhere else when this film was made. As far as accent is concerned, I thought the interviewees sounded clear and concise. Certainly not ridiculous.

[@Interlocutor67]

A better Britain than the one Thatcher and Blair created.

[@markwilliams5654]

All the fake voices is too funny 😮😊

[@genevievedolan1288]

That is really how these people talked.

[@JayArgonauts]

Nothing fake or pretentious, they are simply a product of the social class to which they belonged.

[@carolegilliver797]

I’m not sure where to start but the fact that they only ‘interview’ the males is typical

[@genevievedolan1288]

The old age pensioner and her cat, the former nanny, the ski loving wife ?

[@TinLeadHammer]

I can see why Socialist ideas were popular.

[@wobblybobengland]

Hopefully nowadays, after numerous silly socialist (small s) governments (small g no apostrophe) have been somehow empowered to run Her and, of late, His Majesties Governments that you can surely see how fantastic ideas are not a workable plan.

[@KatePerry-y5s]

Shabby and worn, has nothing to do with class!!!! Nothing trashier than ",flash"!!!!