Class...what's your description of "class" ???

"Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without
being ****y (since this word is banned..let's just say overly confident).
Class has nothing to do with money. Class never
runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It's
the sure footedness that comes with having proved you can meet
life."

*Ann Landers

I kind of like this description of class...it sums up my feelings about what it is to have class. I consider class to be subtle...not beligerent..but I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks the definition of class is, or the personality traits you think someone with "class" has....should be interesting... ;)

To me "class" means to classify and judge, separate and treat differently.

If I want to go to a nice restaurant and display my tattoo (which it is difficult not to since it is right on my chest where a necklace pendant would sit) then I certainly hope to not be judged of my "class" for it. I am proud of my tattoo and the symbolism of it. It took me 6 months to design and was a tribute to myself as a woman and mother and gift to myself for my 30th birthday.

I think the word "class" is just an excuse to openly judge other people about things that are none of our beeswax.

My $0.02 anyhow.

I like that definition too, kathyw. The being *****y or insecure part has me a little perplexed sometimes. The definition of class is not objective either. For example, personally I find a public display of tattoos, underarm hair and baseball caps worn in a nice restaurant, pretty darn borderline. I'm considered low class in Saudi Arabia, because I can't trace my family line back 25 generations. In California tattoos may be considered high class? It varies. Here in the USA, there's not much to distinguish the higher classes from the lower, at least not on the surface. But the levels of class do exist, however subtly. To me it boils down to kindness, comfort with different public situations and good grammar. It has nothing to do with whether I like people or not. Some of my best friends have tattoos and say "ain't." :)

Yep, I agree blondie..class has nothing to do with whether I like someone or not, it has to do with how someone carries themself..definitely has nothing to do with tatoos...cos I like tatoos...I think what I'm getting at is more the feeling of holding your head up high...regardless of your circumstances...if you know you're doing the right thing...I think it's also considering the feelings of others before speaking...and being tactful...when you do speak.

to me having to define "class" is more like having to define "porn". I know what it is when I see it, but otherwise it is hard for me to put it into words. For example, Jackie Kennedy Onassis to me always showed "class" no matter what the situation (I mean who could ever forget how she handled herself during JFK's funeral) from what I saw and read about her, but anyone who deals with the Jerry Springer Show (even in the audience as far as I can see) totally lacks "class", even though he (Springer) tries to act "classy" by giving some inane moral to what happened during the show itself.

I consider myself a classy lady. I guess that means I act, dress, and carry myself with taste and respect. That is the best way I can describe 'class'. To me, someone who uses filthy language and acts like a 'pig' has NO class. :-)
I do not think that just because someone is wealthy means they have 'class' or belongs to a certain class. It is all in the way you carry yourself.

Yes, there is a type of "class" that some people are born into/with - like Blythe Danner and Gwenyth Paltrow. They just oooooze class. But "class" is also graciousness, and as you said, Kathyw, kindness. Real class is making someone who is NOT comfortable in a certain situation FEEL comfortable!

I consider myself a classy lady. I guess that means I act, dress, and carry myself with taste and respect. That is the best way I can describe 'class'. To me, someone who uses filthy language and acts like a 'pig' has NO class. :-)
I do not think that just because someone is wealthy means they have 'class' or belongs to a certain class. It is all in the way you carry yourself.

Yes, and people with class ALWAYS seems to put others at ease, don't they? They find the good things in others and tend to stay above dishing the dirt. Their manners are impeccable.

Yes, and people with class ALWAYS seems to put others at ease, don't they? They find the good things in others and tend to stay above dishing the dirt. Their manners are impeccable.

Exactly Bubs..and they go to bat for others when the situation calls for it...yep, now that's class...as far as I'm concerned.

QUOTE=Chatterbox]Yes, there is a type of "class" that some people are born into/with - like Blythe Danner and Gwenyth Paltrow. They just oooooze class. But "class" is also graciousness, and as you said, Kathyw, kindness. Real class is making someone who is NOT comfortable in a certain situation FEEL comfortable![/QUOTE]

Yes, they do CB. Being gracious and kind is always classy..rising above..depending on the situation shows alot of class...standing your ground...when everyone and everything is against you..having courage and strength in adverse situations...I think all of these characteristics indicate class.

I think class is always making the other guy feel good, i.e., the gentleman or gentlewoman would always strive to make another feel at ease in an uncomfortable social situation etc... The well bred are always polite and generous. Emerson's essay on manners was an eye opener to me.
A tiny example might be, a guest spills grape juice on your new sofa and is mortified. You respond with something like "Oh I'm always spilling on this couch! We were just saying the other day that this is our least favorite piece of furniture."
So, applying this kind of tact and kindness in all situations. :)

People with class are not petty. They treat everyone with respect no matter what. Class is maintaining your dignity no matter how embarrassing or humiliating a situation. Class is never putting someone down. Class is finding the best in people. Class is genuine. Class is comfortable in any situation. Class is having the ability to make those around you feel comfortable. Class is having manners. Some examples of people with class: Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Audry Hepburn, Princess Di, Cary Grant. Gene Kelly, Mary Tyler Moore. Oprah Winfrey. People with no class: Roseanne Barr, Arnold Schwartzeneggar, Sean Penn, Madonna.
My opinion, anyway.

People with class are not petty. They treat everyone with respect no matter what. Class is maintaining your dignity no matter how embarrassing or humiliating a situation. Class is never putting someone down. Class is finding the best in people. Class is genuine. Class is comfortable in any situation. Class is having the ability to make those around you feel comfortable. Class is having manners. Some examples of people with class: Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Audry Hepburn, Princess Di, Cary Grant. Gene Kelly, Mary Tyler Moore. Oprah Winfrey. People with no class: Roseanne Barr, Arnold Schwartzeneggar, Sean Penn, Madonna.
My opinion, anyway.

I agree Flyer...in addition, I think class is admitting when you are wrong and moving on with dignity. :)

her asking Tommy Hilfigger to leave her show when he said something to the effect that if he knew Arabs and Blacks were the main ones wearing his designs, he wouldn't have created them. And she asked him to leave her show, right there on live tv...( While I agree that Oprah has class, this is an urban legend, that never happened, thank goodness.

To me class is grace under fire, as one saying goes. It is being so in tune with who you are, that you are not manipulated nor molded by what others say or do to you. It is about being 'class-less' in dealing with those who are less fortunate than you or in a different social group.

While I agree that Oprah has class, this is an urban legend, that never happened, thank goodness.

To me class is grace under fire, as one saying goes. It is being so in tune with who you are, that you are not manipulated nor molded by what others say or do to you. It is about being 'class-less' in dealing with those who are less fortunate than you or in a different social group.

You're reading my mind tonight Yellowrose...I agree with you 100 percent..grace under fire and never allowing yourself to be manipulated or molded by what others are saying either to you, about you, or about someone else...goes back to standing your ground and having grace under fire...you are soooo right.

People with class are not petty. They treat everyone with respect no matter what. Class is maintaining your dignity no matter how embarrassing or humiliating a situation. Class is never putting someone down. Class is finding the best in people. Class is genuine. Class is comfortable in any situation. Class is having the ability to make those around you feel comfortable. Class is having manners. Some examples of people with class: Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Audry Hepburn, Princess Di, Cary Grant. Gene Kelly, Mary Tyler Moore. Oprah Winfrey. People with no class: Roseanne Barr, Arnold Schwartzeneggar, Sean Penn, Madonna.
My opinion, anyway.

good examples and i agree. it's about characters and how they treat people.