Upper class behavior of the classic kind

[Airwings]

I have an interesting topic here:
How do one actually define what's typical English upper class characteristics?
Are they elegant snobs? How do they walk and speak? Are they real gentlemen, or just called that?
What characters can we look at for the traits? I would say that Lord Sinclair (The Persuaders) and Sherlock Holmes are both the same type of social class, but they live in different centuries and that's what seperate them. While Holmes is more strict and stiff, Sinclair is more easy-going and combines his aristocrat heritage with being a playboy (living a jetset life). It has almost nothing to to with how the actor did the role, really. Don't forget that Roger Moore has played both these characters.
The Sherlock Holmes books just happen to have all these rich people in the plot. But to read something that actually focuses on the upper class lifestyle of the older days, the work by Jane Austen may be a good way to go. Am I right?

Is there any person, living or dead, that you see as typical English upper class? I'm loking for celebrities, actually. People don't need to be born into royalty to adapt the life style. Neither do they need to be born into rich families. It's more about their environment, their profession, their friends, their taste in fashion and food etc.
During some decades in the 1900s, David Niven was sort of upper class. Maybe not as much in real life, as in several of his films. But his style in real life, affected what roles he was offered.
These days, I see John Nettles to possible belong in this group. The characteristics and traits much toned down, but still!
He does comes off as a mild mannered gentleman, and I can easily imagine him owning a mansion. Maybe he's the last one of the old school? Today's younger people have left the English countryside for good, and replaced it with London's nightlife, or Monaco.

 

[Airwings]

Another character would be The Saint.

As for real people, Hugh Jackman seems to have that special element to him.

 

[Tanin]

Tim Curry comes across as very snobbish in a lot of his interviews. Though I think that is more his age and being asked pointless fluff questions then being an actual snob.

 

[Airwings]

I would like to ask you guys for support here

I need help to define the characteristics of the English upper class. Are they all snobs?
What's your views on the matter

 

[Pink Ranger]

Not always snobs. Sometimes exceedingly polite, with a kind of confident bumbling as well.

Look up the Monty Python skit "upper class twit of the year" for an extreme example.

 

[jonathancrane]

Or watch the film Christmas Vacation. Or American Psycho.

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

They are TV show characters but Lord Bret Sinclair and John Steed come to mind.

 

[Pink Ranger]

You will see Hugh Laurie in a new light if you watch him on Jeeves and Wooster.

 

[Airwings]

Downton Abbey must be a perfect example. Also Robert Altman's Gosford Park. Both of them with Maggie Smith in the cast

James Bond is truly acting like upper class in all of his casino scenes, but he's a more modern guy than the "mansion aristocrats" referred to above

Not always snobs. Sometimes exceedingly polite, with a kind of confident bumbling as well.

Right on spot.
The English upper class is the most known in general. And we have mapped out several of its traits in this thread. But what if we look to other countries for a while? How would you describe the typical German upper class of the classic kind? In which way is it different from the English one? Would you say it's not as polished, but more rugged? What would a German Brett Sinclair be like?

What about the French? More flamboyant? Can you imagine James Bond to be a secret agent from France, and what would the differences be?

And another question, the kind of upper class we see in Downton Abbey (and also read about in Dickens' novels), is it exclusive to monarchies? Are there even any aristocrats left in republic countries or has that lifestyle vanished completely?

 

[Victarion]

They say tuppence a lot. Especially if they're named Dorrance.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Upper class Brits are pretty laid back these days. There are still some stuffy gits, but they've come a long way. If you passed most on the street, you wouldn't notice.

I don't consider Sherlock Holmes to be upper class. He's middle class. Refined upper middle class, but still middle class. He does things no self-respecting member of the Victorian upper class would do. Like, work for a living.

I think some Americans may be mistaking refinement for being part of the upper class.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Downton Abbey must be a perfect example. Also Robert Altman's Gosford Park. Both of them with Maggie Smith in the cast

James Bond is truly acting like upper class in all of his casino scenes, but he's a more modern guy than the "mansion aristocrats" referred to above

Right on spot.
The English upper class is the most known in general. And we have mapped out several of its traits in this thread. But what if we look to other countries for a while? How would you describe the typical German upper class of the classic kind? In which way is it different from the English one? Would you say it's not as polished, but more rugged? What would a German Brett Sinclair be like?

If we're talking old timey, then any true member of the German upper class would be a well trained military officer, who has probably seen some serious action. That was common for the English too, but the Germans were even more militant. Also a love of classical music (sort of the hallmark of German culture). Brits have literature, Germans have music.

 

[Airwings]

If we're talking old timey, then any true member of the German upper class would be a well trained military officer, who has probably seen some serious action. That was common for the English too, but the Germans were even more militant. Also a love of classical music (sort of the hallmark of German culture). Brits have literature, Germans have music.

Thanks
What about the manners of the German upper class in old times? Too militant to be refined gentlemen and ladies?

 

[chamber-music]

Sherlock Holmes is middle class or upper middle class.

Harry Enfield's Tim Nice But Dim and 'I Saw You Coming' sketches are classic parodies of British upper class people.

Everyone in Made in Chelsea is like a walking stereotype of upper class English people.

 

[NickNitro]

Family Guy lays it out best

 

[Airwings]

Just got to think of Cameron's Titanic, and the Swedish film Bröllopsfotografen ("Wedding Photographer"). The upper class plays an important part in both.

I don't consider Sherlock Holmes to be upper class. He's middle class. Refined upper middle class, but still middle class. He does things no self-respecting member of the Victorian upper class would do. Like, work for a living.

He has a housemaid in that Jeremy Brett version. Perhaps that doesn't count?

Upper class Brits are pretty laid back these days. There are still some stuffy gits, but they've come a long way. If you passed most on the street, you wouldn't notice.

They want to blend in, I guess.

 

[Ant-manic]

Hyancinth Bucket

 

[Thundercrack85]

Thanks
What about the manners of the German upper class in old times? Too militant to be refined gentlemen and ladies?

Oh fairly refined. But they'd probably be considered very cold by Englishmen. Germans, especially older generations of Germans are famous for their lack of a sense of humor.

He has a housemaid in that Jeremy Brett version. Perhaps that doesn't count?

You mean his housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson? Though even having a maid doesn't mean you're upper class. Sherlock is upper middle class at best.

Well, I suppose it all depends on what you mean by upper class. In Britain, upper class used to mean that you had a title and land. It’s not like in America, where upper class is defined entirely by wealth. In Britain you could be a broke duke, and you would still be considered upper class. And if you were rich enough, you could just buy a title. Nowadays, you have plenty of wealthy people who don’t have a title.