Class. A person either has class, or they have no idea what that even means.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (39245)
August 5, 2023 11:38pm CST
One day not long ago, one of my grandson's asked me a question--''Grandma, what does it mean when someone says someone has a lot of class?''
Had to be careful with that one. He is only 11, and this is an influential time of life for him. I tried so hard to explain it to him.
So many people associate having class with having money, and that's the end of the definition. They are wrong. A classy person is not just someone who struts around in the best clothing or dripping in diamonds and gold, or driving an expensive car, or traveling the world. They don't have to have the most expensive of everything, or the best education. That's not what true class is.
Truly classic people are respectful of others. They are usually quietly confident, they know what manners are and they use them, and they know how to interact with many types of people. Most are compassionate and help others without having to be asked.
I personally know people who have more money than they could ever spend, but they honestly do not have the kind of class I admire. I also know people who don't have a lot, or have very little, but they do have class.
Do you just associate class with only money? Or?
Just curious if anyone has ever given this much thought. I don't know as I really have before, until the grandson asked me.
16 people like this
17 responses
@DaddyEvil (138141)
• United States
6 Aug 23
It's honestly not something I've ever thought about before. I agree that "class" is in the way people interact with each other, the attitudes they have about themselves, other people and life in general.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
•
6 Aug 23
It is just what you said. So many think of it as ''she is a class act'' or ''she must have money, she dresses with class'' but that's not really class. I thought of celebrities. Many have money, but I don't consider some of them having class just because they have that money.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (138141)
• United States
6 Aug 23
@MarieCoyle I could name several celebrities that don't have class and I know very little about celebrities in general.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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6 Aug 23
@DaddyEvil
I could name a few as well. Money and fame can't buy true class.
2 people like this
@allknowing (138414)
• India
6 Aug 23
There are so many parameters for anyone to be called classy and being rich does not feature there. The list is endless.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
•
6 Aug 23
Yes, it is. And it's based on traits and mannerisms, rather than money.
2 people like this
@much2say (56522)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Aug 23
Having class is not about money. I mean, people can dress classy or drive a classy car . . . but that's different from actually being classy.
To me, being classy is being elite in the way they conduct themselves. They are highly respected as a person, always have the right things to say or do, confident but not cocky. They are good people and their actions reflect that.
Also, it's not a word that someone would use to describe themselves . . . that opinion would have to come from someone else.
Those are my thoughts about "class" . . . I do think about it - just never in definite words.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56522)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Aug 23
@MarieCoyle I guess too, they are modest 
.
.1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
•
6 Aug 23
So, so well said!
And yes, I am in complete agreement that the truly classy people don't describe themselves that way, ever. They don't have to, as their demeanor and actions speak for themselves. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
•
7 Aug 23
@much2say
In my honest opinion, the world as we know it could use more modesty. I am not a prude..but some people...well, you know. Not just the modesty or lack of it that we see without knowing the person, but the lack of it in the showing off, bragging, etc of what they do or what they have.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41889)
• United States
6 Aug 23
I think you gave your grandson a good definition. Dale and I talked about that recently. We know rich people who have absolutely no class or morals, but poor people who have true class.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
•
7 Aug 23
They ask me things sometimes, I always try to tell them the best I can, the answers they want to know. i don't sugar-coat things, the world is a hard place for everyone, but they know that. I just tell the truth to them.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
•
8 Aug 23
@1creekgirl
I try hard. My grandmothers were both very important to me when I was young. I don't think sister and I would have survived without them, and that's the truth. I can't hope to be the ladies they were, but I give it my very best.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121845)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Aug 23
I have no class. I skipped classes all the way from high school through college! I'm classless! haha
To me, having class means being a person of honesty and integrity.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121845)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Aug 23
@MarieCoyle I never said I have integrity! Haha 
Just kidding! I try to conduct myself with at least a little class.
Just kidding! I try to conduct myself with at least a little class.1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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10 Aug 23
Yes, Yes, you have class, or you wouldn't have written the correct definition for it, Jeff. (I know you were kidding!)
I skipped a few here and there myself.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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10 Aug 23
@moffittjc
I think most of us do.
And in my book, integrity and class pretty much just go together.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16522)
• Raurkela, India
6 Aug 23
In India class is not associated with money. We have arranged marriages in India and both the boys and the girls family ask each other about their cultural background, what you mean by class.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16522)
• Raurkela, India
7 Aug 23
@MarieCoyle It's the same thing in India too. How you behave with others, how kind are you are some of the traits of a good culture.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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7 Aug 23
@aninditasen
Maybe kindness can save us? It's certain that as of right now, our world is in total turmoil.
How you interact with others and the demeanor you show is everything.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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6 Aug 23
I have researched and read of arranged marriages. I am not a fan, but I do know that is all some countries do, and I understand that.
Class here is not always associated with money, as I tried to explain. It's about demeanor, and how you present yourself, and respect others.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (94566)
• United States
7 Aug 23
You definitely don’t have to have money to have class. I can think of two people right now, I met online. Neither have much money at all, both were dealt an unfair hand in life, and both appear friendly. Appear being the operative word. One showed their ugly true colors, and one continues to walk with grace through their own difficult times. One is a man, while the other can barely call himself a boy. The man has the respect of many, while the boy has no idea how many people secretly cannot stand him.
I told a relative once to take the high road; there is much less traffic.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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7 Aug 23
Yes, I think of several I know as well. One does have money, and she brags constantly about her jewelry, her meals out, her wardrobe, new furniture (constantly!) and her expensive trips. Needless to say, many have backed off, they have heard it over and over, and are tired of it all.
I agree, take the high road. 
1 person likes this
.@MarieCoyle (39245)
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7 Aug 23
Everyone is different. You can be different and still have class. It's all about the whole person, and the type of person that they are. Everyone is odd in their own way.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472253)
• Switzerland
6 Aug 23
So many "new rich" have money but zero class. Having class involves character, correct attitude, good manners, acting and dressing taking into consideration ourselves and the others and to behave with sensitivity. I hear rich people bragging about what they can afford to buy, how much they own... that is the opposite of having class.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472253)
• Switzerland
7 Aug 23
@MarieCoyle Being "rich" is not a virtue and making the others feel "inferior" because they do not have the same kind of money is really poor manners.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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6 Aug 23
So very true. Those that brag do not exude class. They just seem rather, well...tacky. I avoid the braggarts, they get very tiring very quickly.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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7 Aug 23
@LadyDuck
There are many people with money that have very poor manners, that's for sure. Also, these same people love to brag on what they have, what they want, how much it costs, and on and on...it gets old. I would rather hear about their family or a hobby or something, but that's not how some people think, I guess.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
•
7 Aug 23
Yet another word and definition for those people here in mylot that do not use English as their first language, and our language is confusing, anyway.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183275)
• United States
6 Aug 23
In my opinion, class has nothing to do with worldly possessions. It has to do with what you mentioned. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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6 Aug 23
Yes, so many associate class with money. And that is not how it really works.
Linda, I hope you have a good weekend as well.
1 person likes this
@Hildasalom (954)
• Nairobi, Kenya
6 Aug 23
I really don't have a definition but I honestly related class to wealth. Mostly people who are rich some of them though can't interact with people with little or no money. That is what I thought when someone talked about having class or interacting with people of high class.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
•
6 Aug 23
No, having class does not always mean someone has money. It's about their demeanor, actions, and the ways they respect others.
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Aug 23
Class shows itself in so many forms, and not just money of course. You can be filthy rich and be a piece of &*%^! The way you carry yourself, how you dress, how you treat others, your actions, etc. You exude a positive outlook on life. I could go on and on.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Aug 23
@MarieCoyle It is never about the money in my opinion. You are very welcome.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (39245)
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6 Aug 23
I agree. How you present yourself and how you treat others is paramount. Some people think, it's just money, and it isn't. Thank you, Carol.
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@wolfgirl569 (108988)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Aug 23
Had not really thought about it but you described it well
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@MarieCoyle (39245)
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6 Aug 23
I tried, here lately I am always in such a rush. I need to slow down and ''smell the roses!''
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