People still think being posh helps your career, so...
Two-thirds of people still think social class is an issue when finding a career and a quarter of people think you’re officially posh if you call your evening meal “supper”.
So how posh are you? We spoke to Laura Akano, an etiquette coach at Polished Manners, about the real class rules. Take our quiz, tot up your points and see whether you’re posh or working class...
You’re meeting someone for the first time, how do you greet them? a) Say “Ciao” and give them an air kiss (3 points) b) Say “Pleased to meet you” and give a handshake (2 points) c) Say “Hey”, smile and give them a hug (1 point)
You’re holding a dinner party but how do you prepare? a) I serve two or three courses with a bubbling glass of prosecco (2) b) I serve five to seven courses and give my guests crystal glasses for their champagne and a linen napkin to wipe their mouth (3) c) I put on a tasty buffet with disposable cutlery and paper napkins to make it easier. It’s about the people, not food (1)
You’ve decided to push the boat out and treat your guests to some musical. What do you go for? a) My favourite playlist or CD should keep the guests happy and they can even make requests (1) b) A DJ creates a little atmosphere and gets the crowd going (2) c) My favourite band or instrumentalist could provide mellow backing music and a touch of sophistication (3)
It’s a Sunday afternoon and you fancy watching some sport, which do you choose? a) Rugby Union, cricket, rowing or polo (3) b) Tennis, swimming or golf (2) c) Football, rugby league, horse racing (1)
Growing up, what kind of school did you go to? a) A fee-paying day school (2) b) Boarding school (3) c) Local comprehensive (1)
Where do you holiday? a) Aunty Maud’s villa in the Seychelles (3) b) Anywhere warm with family (1) c) A two-centre break in Asia (2)
What do you earn a year? a) £0-£50,000 (1) b) £50,000-£100,000 (2) c) £100,000+ (3)
You’ve been invited to your friends house for a party. It starts at 8.30pm, so you... a) Arrive early (2) b) Arrive on time (1) c) Arrive 15 minutes late (3)
When you go out, what’s your favourite place to eat?
CLUE Music is, or isn’t, a sign of class a) The local bistro that the MasterChef finalist just opened (2) b) A good chain restaurant for a special occasion (1) c) You’ll find me dining somewhere like the Dorchester or Claridges, or the latest celebrity chef opening (3)
What’s your favourite thing to do with friends? a) We’ll splash out on tickets to a musical or seats at a gig but a night in the local with friends is always fun (1) b) Dress up and go to the ballet or opera we sit in the royal box (3) c) Prosecco and an unlimited brunch, of course (2)
Where do you do your shopping?
a) M&S or Waitrose – just like the Duchess of Cambridge (3) b) Tesco or Sainsbury’s (2) c) Lidl, Aldi or Iceland (1)
What are your favourite hobbies? a) Watching TV, cooking, cinema, sport (1) b) Shooting, playing an instrument or holidaying, dahling (3) c) Going to a museum (2)
Which pooch is yours?
POSH, MOI? Do you fancy a refined dinner party or a bumper buffet
What do you call your evening meal? a) Dinner (2) b) Supper (3) c) Tea (1)
What are some of the most likely things we’d find around your house? a) A 4K TV, American
PROTEIN
Tea, dinner or supper?
fridge-freezer and John Lewis furnishings (2) b) Mine is mostly kitted out in IKEA and isn’t a house, it’s a home (1) c) Aside from my swimming pool, I also have proper wood furniture, a drawing room and only use solid bars of soap (3)
And what do you call the different rooms in your house? a) Loo and sitting room (3) b) Lavatory and living room (2) c) Toilet and lounge (1)
What is your go-to outfit? a) Country tweed or a bespoke suit from Savile Row (3) b) High-end high street stores and shop-bought suits, which I get adjusted (2) c) High Street chains – you have to love a quality M&S buy but also finding a bargain in Primark (1)
A pooch can be the perfect status symbol. But which one do you choose? a) A labrador (2) b) A corgi (3) c) A Jack Russell (1)
There’s no denying that you are a member of the chattering classes. Your job or choice of soap may have helped you to become more aspirational but you haven’t quite reached the totally toffy heights of aristocracy quite yet.
Laura explains: “It’s very hard for anyone to pass into the real upper classes unless they marry into it. But just small things such as saying ‘bag’ instead of ‘handbag’ can make a huge difference to your status.” 40 points or more: Upper Class You are royally rather posh, according to the experts. But you better watch out as the other classes are hot on your corgi tail!
Laura says: “There are lots of blurred lines when it comes to class these days and the rules of the past are changing. But good posture, confidence and eye-contact can still certainly go a long way.”