# Ask the Middle-Class Guy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 7, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052 "2010-02-07T18:59:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/41 "2010-02-08T18:32:44Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > Which do you feel is the proper successor to Dada: surrealism or social realism? I never really formed much of an opinion on the fine arts, so I can’t really offer a well formed one here. While socio-realism strikes me emotionally, surrealism has always appealed more to my tastes both visually and intellectually. I usually prefer a more indirect angle for thought and expression in art. So in my very uninformed and underdeveloped opinion, I’ll go with surrealism? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/42 "2010-02-08T19:44:48Z")
To determine if you’re upper or lower middle class: how many casserole recipes do you have? ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/43 "2010-02-08T19:50:09Z")
Are you a Red Wings fan? Do/did you play hockey? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/44 "2010-02-08T19:51:43Z")
Are you bourgeoise? ---
**Author:** ![figure9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@figure9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/figure9)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/45 "2010-02-08T20:07:45Z")
When did you know you wanted to be middle class? If you couldn’t be middle class what socioeconomic group would you want to be in? Since all the houses in your neighborhood look alike, how do you know which one is yours? Have you ever driven a Dodge Dart? What is that like? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/46 "2010-02-08T21:51:19Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > To determine if you’re upper or lower middle class: how many casserole recipes do you have? I don’t really cook, but my wife has many she tries to inflict on me. > [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > Are you a Red Wings fan? Do/did you play hockey? Not into sports, never was, so no, I’ve never played… but you can’t live around Detroit and not be a Wings fan. _throws octopus into thread_ > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Are you bourgeoise? Under Classical or even modern definition; I’d say no, for the most part. While I’m certainly middle-class as far as my income suggests, I have a profound curiosity and respect of the world around and beyond me. I don’t identify with many material things or gains. I tend to be very idealistic, opinionated and uninterested in making life and career about accruing as many riches as I can. Although, I would never turn down making more money, only because I’d use it to further my own personal projects/interests (animating a few short film projects I have in mind), and providing more comfort and safety for my family. > [@figure9](#): > > When did you know you wanted to be middle class? > > If you couldn’t be middle class what socioeconomic group would you want to be in? > > Since all the houses in your neighborhood look alike, how do you know which one is yours? > > Have you ever driven a Dodge Dart? What is that like? 1. It wasn’t a decision, it just was. I was born into it on the low end, and worked hard to get near the mid to higher end. 2. Upper class, but mainly only on a financial/income level. Zero interest in a lavish lifestyle or power. I cherish creating and working with my hands, and hope to be self-employed indefinitely. 3. I have to count all the 50 year old trees starting from my street corner. After the fifth tree, I turn into that driveway. Home sweet home. 4. No, but I drove a Dodge Shadow for 8 years. It was like driving a refrigerator box, with about as much HP. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/47 "2010-02-08T21:55:38Z")
I drove a Plymouth Sundance for years, too (same thing as a Dodge Shadow) - you have my condolences. I put a green bulb in our front light for Christmas, and now I’m leaving it there because it tells us where the turn-off for our street is. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/48 "2010-02-08T22:00:32Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I drove a Plymouth Sundance for years, too (same thing as a Dodge Shadow) - you have my condolences. > > I put a green bulb in our front light for Christmas, and now I’m leaving it there because it tells us where the turn-off for our street is. 😃 Hey, a colored light… great idea! I also have GPS on my leased vehicle… so I can use that too. “YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/49 "2010-02-08T23:52:25Z")
Any sort of packages in the house with names like “Hamburger Helper”, “Tuna Helper”, etc.? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/50 "2010-02-08T23:54:46Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Any sort of packages in the house with names like “Hamburger Helper”, “Tuna Helper”, etc.? Personally, we can’t stand that stuff. (says the guy who eats Hormel Chili and Chef Boyardee from the can). ---
**Author:** ![CT\_Damsel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CT\_Damsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CT_Damsel)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/51 "2010-02-09T04:51:43Z")
Hey Buddy, can you spare a dime? [Who knew I could use this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12094898#post12094898/) [thrice in one night?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12094913#post12094913) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/52 "2010-02-09T05:01:44Z")
> [@CT\_Damsel](#): > > Hey Buddy, can you spare a dime? > [Who knew I could use this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12094898#post12094898/) [thrice in one night?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12094913#post12094913) > 😃 Hopefully you can sneak in a fourth. [I](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12033074#post12033074) [got](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12033826#post12033826) [in](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12034634#post12034634) [five](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12055597#post12055597) [about a week ago.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12032490#post12032490) And, yes. You may borrow a dime. PayPal account? ---
**Author:** ![CT\_Damsel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CT\_Damsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CT_Damsel)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/53 "2010-02-09T05:10:16Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Hopefully you can sneak in a fourth. [FOUR](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12095035#post12095035/) Off to look for 5:D ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/54 "2010-02-09T05:20:58Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Would you rather be Canadian where your middle-class money and lifestyle would go farther? 😃 In Canada, we pick up the dog doo and hope that it’s _warm_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/55 "2010-02-09T06:14:58Z")
Ah, spring, when all the dog shit thaws. ☹ Do you have a dog, a cat, or both, **cmyk**? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/56 "2010-02-09T06:19:01Z")
Used to have a dog (Basset Hound), _highly_ allergic to cats, so I’m animal free as of now (if you don’t include the children). ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/57 "2010-02-09T06:42:39Z")
Oooh, your (current monetary) experiences are probably closer to what I had growing up, so maybe I was raised middle class! At least I can relate more to this one than the Child of wealth thread… So The Q’s: 1. What’s the secret to life in your opinion? What about to Happiness? 2. If you could change the world tomorrow in any one way by snapping your fingers, what would you change if anything to make the world a better place? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/58 "2010-02-09T14:31:23Z")
> [@ToeJam](#): > > Oooh, your (current monetary) experiences are probably closer to what I had growing up, so maybe I was raised middle class! At least I can relate more to this one than the Child of wealth thread… > > So The Q’s: > > 1. What’s the secret to life in your opinion? What about to Happiness? > 2. If you could change the world tomorrow in any one way by snapping your fingers, what would you change if anything to make the world a better place? 1. Man, I got nothing figured out. Am I happy? Yes. What’s the key? Not entirely sure, but perhaps it’s the balance of getting enough rest, work and fun. All are equally important. Oh, and comfortable footwear. 2. If I could snap my fingers right now, all weaponry, artillery, bombs, nukes and any other implements meant to harm others under malice would be turned into Nerf™. Even grabbing a kitchen knife… if thrusted toward someone… POOF… Nerf Nife™. A gang war breaks out, or a drive by shooting? “Hahahah! That tickles!” War wouldn’t really be feasible. And crime would be way, way down. Mmm… Nerf™. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/59 "2010-02-09T17:28:30Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Used to have a dog (Basset Hound), _highly_ allergic to cats, so I’m animal free as of now (if you don’t include the children). Ah yes, the yard-monkeys. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052/60 "2010-02-09T17:34:49Z")
What are your hobbies? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-middle-class-guy/528052.md?page=4)