Social Class in American Naturism

    One does not make friends by discussing social class in America.  First,
we have the myth that there are no social classes in the United States, and the
uneasy feeling that it is almost unpatriotic to call attention to the subject.
Having said that, most Americans then claim to fit about one notch higher on
the social scale than they really are.  Few take kindly to having their bubble
burst, though chuckling at our foibles may be the sanest response.
    There are other myths.  People without money think that if they had it,
they would rise in social stature.  But people already in the higher echelons
know full well that class is mostly a web of attitudes formed in childhood, and
seldom altered.  A rich slob is still a slob.  The old saying that it takes three
generations to make a gentleman is probably as true as ever.
    Occupation is one of several indicators of social standing.  The upper
classes, for instance, do not work for a living; their money works for them.
They will quickly point out that there are two upper classes, sometimes crudely
referred to as "old money" and "new money."  But we need not linger on such
fine distinctions because, if you have a job, are not listed in The Social Register,
and don't have a stable full of polo ponies, forget it; you're not part of the
upper classes....


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