This thread is creating ANGST!

I know a family of thirteen who have what I would call terrible table manners (and I'm from a lower, working-class family).

They, however, had absolutely the best education in the arts and languages. Their terrible manners came from the fact that there were so many kids that dinner was survival of the fittest. The parents were middle class but they were from 'old money' and in every other way were genteel and smoothly polished. Seems to me that nowadays you can be a little of every class, depending on which social skill you're looking at.

Regarding class distinction: There are many theories - One theory holds that class is a a social ladder. It seems that the lower classes can see the lives of those on the higher rungs but that those higher on the ladder cannot see the people below them.

Seems a bit simplistic but there might be some general truth there.