Comments on: Don’t Weight For Status!

By: davism3

davism3 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:03:29 +0000

I do believe that a person’s outer appearance says a lot about that person’s class. Those with more money have the ability to buy and eat healthier foods, join gyms, buy nicer clothes, get their hair done and much more. A person without these things may end up overweight, and appear not as pretty. It’s sad how people who are overweight get treated differently. And sad how most of these people are lower class. Most of my extended family members are obese and they are also lower class. They never exercise, and eat really bad cheap food. They eat lots of fatty foods from fastfood restaurants. I agree with the book that people are judged on the spot by their appearance. I am ashamed to say that I too judge people on their appearance

By: mathesj1

mathesj1 — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:33:13 +0000

Judging a person class by weight is almost as bad as judging by the way a person has his hair cut. A person the eats much and exercises little gains weight. It does matter how much a person weights. The facts of today are that 56% of the American population is overweight in every class.
Clothes can be another misnomer as this tale relates. One night as a trucker I was delivering cargo to a Wal-Mart store in St. Albans, West Virginia when I saw an older person picking up trash and cigarette butts in the parking lot. He was wearing a flannel shirt, bibby overalls, work boots and a straw farmers hat. Judgement: a crazy old tramp looking for butts to smoke. Reality: Sam Walton the owner of Wal-Mart Stores.
My judgement has become such that I judge the individual worth of a person without regard to class. This leads me into less trouble with people than those that do judge.

By: griffithap

griffithap — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:53:28 +0000

I have to say that working in a restaurant has made me judge people based on appearance as well. We judge them on what they are wearing and how old/young they are, how many kids are with them. I know that I should do this and sometimes I feel bad for doing so, but it is hard not to do so. We judge based on if someone comes in dressed in business clothes, you expect them to spend more than the men that come in jeans and flannel shirts do or women in sweats does. How they fix their hair (is it outdated) and what and how much jewelry they are wearing (usually lots of cheap looking gold jewelry is an indicator of lower class). The families that come in with many kids we judge that they will leave a huge mess for us to clean up afterwards and let their kids run around the place. However, in my experience it is true they do spend different amounts but when it comes to the tip, it is 50/50 on who is going to leave the higher amount. I have come to understand that there are many that are in the upper class but are tight with their money and there are many in the lower class that understand that a server is working for tips and they leave more.
I have to agree that obesity is a factor that tells what social class a person belongs. Those in lower class spend less money on groceries so they get the less healthy choices, and they eat the more convenient options, like fast foods and junk foods. These people seem to like being this way or believe that there is nothing they can do about it, which in turn makes them look lazy.

By: wagnerla22

wagnerla22 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:22:24 +0000

I agree with much of what Back is saying. Sadly, obesity is a colossal problem in our society. Why is this? I believe it is a combination of many things.

First and foremost, I believe that obesity is largely correlated with those considered lower class. Money is a huge part of class, therefore those who are of lower class are going to have less of a budget for food and groceries. This is where the junk food and fast food advertisers come into play. Marketers love to target these people and in turn become number one clients at the local Mac Donald’s, and number one purchasers of brand name soft drinks.

Education is also another factor in obesity in the lower classes. Many lower class people aren’t educated about many life lessons such as money, what career path, and health habits. This only continues in a vicious cycle. Many lower class people just don’t care about what they out into their bodies, refusing to eat anything that might not taste good. I also believe this could be that lower class people aren’t as socialized or introduced to new foods.

While this doesn’t mean that every lower class person doesn’t give a crap about themself or that every lower class person is obese, or even that all upper class people are fit, there are many truths in these ideas.

By: johnsond7

johnsond7 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:40:20 +0000

Appearance can stand for so much in our society. If you look good then you pretty much have the perfect life. It just seems that everything comes easy for you. If your obese then you get teased all the time. It is like people look down on you and feel sorry for you. This is stupid you are still human, why would they judge you differently. People are going to get judged whether they like it or not. Whether it because of what you are wearing, where you work, or the people you hang out with. This is something I cannot understand, its none of your business why that person is doing what they are. People get so involved in others life that they let their own life fall apart. People are quick to judged others when they do not know the situation that they are in. Everyone does things for a reason, whether its god or bad.

By: toebbej2

toebbej2 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:37:13 +0000

I agree with Fussell’s opinion that people are judged on their appearances and the material things that they have. I really never considered obesity as a class distinction but I have thought about the fact that a large amount of lower class people are obese. When Fussell suggestions the idea I have to agree that this is probably true. Upper class people do seem to always consider the way they look, appearance is very important. The first thing that popped into my mind when I read that was the movie Titanic. If you remember the lady who was “new money” she was on the heavy side and probably considered obese and while she had come into money and was trying to fit in with those on the ship who were considered “old money” she was failing miserably. I even remember a comment in the movie where she was called a cow, and the upper classes she was trying to assimilate into laughed at how heavy she was. This clearly shows that class distinction for me and how just by gaining money, it does not mean you have ascended into a higher class.
I believe some of the reasons that lower class people are obese are not because of a lack of drive or laziness as many people think, but rather because they do not have the time, the money or the knowledge they may need to keep their health up and their weight down. For example, lower class people are most likely working long hours for little pay or multiple jobs, trying to earn money, they may not have the time to cook healthy meals. Also, money is important in eating healthy, organic food is expensive, and those in the lower class may use wik or food stamps which tell you what you can buy. Also if you don’t have the money to buy lots of groceries, you will probably buy foods that are going to fill you up on the little you can eat, like carbs, starchs and fatty meats(which are less expensive). Finally, if you have not learned that some foods are bad for you to eat, or you know they’re not good for you but you don’t realize how bad the health effects could be, then you will probably continue to eat those foods. Where as the upper class and even upper middle classes have that knowledge and the time and money to make those changes.

By: gibsonj2

gibsonj2 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:11:11 +0000

Before beginning to read Paul Fussell’s book, I never thought about a person’s weight as being related to what social class they might be in. I will admit that in the past, if I came into contact with a over weight person, I would sometimes wonder to myself if they were just lazy. As I grew up and came into contact with more and more people, I do not think of over weight people anymore as being lazy. I know a few people that are over weight and go to the gym 3 or 4 times a day and eat healthy. They loose some weight, but never can seem to keep it off. I feel that Fussell’s book makes people judge others before they get to know that person. If I am walking down the street and notice someone who is not dressed well and is very dirty,lower class come to my mind, yes, but I try very hard not to judge others until I actually get to know them and I feel that stating the different ways to tell lower class in this book is only giving people more reason to judge others first.

I do agree with Fussell that there are many ways people put others into different social classes based on certain things such as looks, weight, cars, house, clothes, and how you act. After reading part of this book, Fussell makes me think about things more and how the things I do on a everyday basis might effect how people perceive me and what class I am in.

Upper class people have more money to pay for healthier foods and gym memberships than the lower class because they are struggling to pay for what they really need. Maybe Fussell is correct when he says that you see more over weight people from the lower class than upper class. I have never took the time to actually pay attention to weight as being an indicator of class, but Fussell provided background information to support his ideas.

The pictures that you posted, I can see how those depict the two different social classes that Fussell states in his book on page 24, the rich and the poor. I do like how Fussell went into detail about each class and all the hierarchy of classes.

By: behrensa1

behrensa1 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:22:23 +0000

I agree with Daryl completely. A person’s appearance, not only physical appearance but car, lawn, house, etc., can say a lot about them. Upper class people have the means to be more attractive, drive the nicer cars, pay people to take care of their lawns and houses. Lower class people use the money they have to basically get by. They can’t afford to pay the gym membership or personal trainers or to by the healthier foods at the grocery. McDonald’s dollar menu fits into their budget better. It’s just simply harder to take care of yourself without the money there to do it.

My younger sister attends Notre Dame High School. This is a private, all girls, catholic high school. The tuition is close to the amount of NKU’s, but they also offer numerous scholarships to girls who can’t afford to pay. I go to her sporting events as often as I can to watch her. Just sitting in the crowd people watching, I can tell by physical appearance alone whose parents are upper-middle class, middle class, and lower class. There is just such a difference in the way people carry themselves, weigh, dress, fix their hair and make up, even the way people sit.

Appearance says a lot about a person.

By: dunnm1

dunnm1 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:07:35 +0000

I do think that people judge others by their appearance. I work in a popular clothing store and being a sales associate I judge people every day along with everyone I work with. As soon as you are greeted walking in the store we are already judging you. If you are acting suspicious we assume you could be stealing our merchandise, and you will receive the best “customer service” until you are leaving. If you are a preteen coming in with your friends, we automatically assume that you are going to try on as many clothes as you can, then leave them in a ball on the floor. If you go straight to our jean wall, and ask questions you could be a secret shopper, so we will attend to your every need over other customers. Then there are those people who “just don’t belong in our store.” These people are either dressed very poorly, or they are severely overweight. These people usually do not buy anything. So, we help them but don’t always give the customer service that is deserved. This company is in the process of redirecting our target market, so we can reach an older, broader audience. While we are doing this it is very hard for those employees who do truly judge every person who walks in, because the customer is no longer our old audience with different trend, style, and size needs.

Also working in this clothing store there is a manger who judges the associates every time we walk through the door. She talks about what everyone has that she does not. So, if you walk in with a new shirt, purse, jewelry, or jeans she immediately points it out, and makes you feel bad that you have something nice. Then she will announce it to anyone who is around what you have, and why you shouldn’t have it.

Since, I only work their one day a week (for the discount), I find all of this stuff hard to do. I will help every person that needs help. I can neglect people at times, but that is usually because I am busy putting clothing back that was from the fitting rooms, or I am doing shipment and I am trying to get it done. I have talked to my manger about what people are doing, and how it isn’t right. She agrees, but it hasn’t stopped. It shouldn’t matter what you look like, how old you are, or what you are wearing. You are still a person and deserve to be treated with respect. I think that judging people by who they are is completely wrong, but it is done every day by everyone subconsciously.

By: vlasisv1

vlasisv1 — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:20:13 +0000

Throughout my life, I have always noticed that upper class people tend to be thinner and beautiful. Fussell’s book solidified this idea for me. He says that the three prole classes are fat, the bottom classes are thin (because they can’t afford to eat), the two high-classes are thin, and the middle class has sedentary jobs so they try to stay thin, but some just can’t.I think a lot of this comes down to money.

Upper-class people can afford to buy organic food, wheat bread, vitamins, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, gym memberships, and personal trainers. Fresh fruit and vegetables can get expensive, but they are vitally to being thin and healthy. Gym memberships also aren’t cheap, but upper-class people can afford those, or their own equipment at their house.

Like Fussell said, middle class people try to stay thin, but if you have an office job and are constantly sitting all day, it takes effort to keep the pounds away. Most people in the middle class, like myself, can still afford wheat bread, fresh fruits, and gym memberships, so a lot of being healthy comes down to the motivation to do so. Even if you sit down all day you can still take 45 minutes out of your day after work and go to the gym and eat healthily.

The prole class is where money becomes tighter. I think it is sad that you can go to McDonald’s and get a double cheeseburger for $1, but salads cost $4 or more. If money is tight, people definitely go for the $1 menu, which is full of burgers, french fries, fried chicken nuggets, and sodas. Fast food is quick and cheap. If people work all the time, which proles seem to do, fast food is the easiest way for them to get food after a long day of working. In reality, they could go to the grocery store with coupons and get a weeks worth a food for what they would spend on the entire family eating fast food all week. It would be much healthier, but it requires effort, which makes them seem lazy. Also, even if they can not afford a gym membership, there are such things as exercise tapes and putting on some gym shoes and going outside for a jog. Its not as hard as people think to stay thin on a budget, it just requires effort and motivation.

In the pictures you posted, even if the guy in picture 1 was skinny, you could still tell the class. Look at the way the people in each picture are dressed, and how much more attractive the upper-class people seem to be. This is a sad, but true, reality. Makeup, skin care products, braces, contacts, surgeries, all can be expensive. If lower class people could afford to take care of themselves as much as upper class people, I don’t think appearance would be a class indicator.