Dani Payne, a specialist in class studies and Human, Social and Political Sciences graduate from the University of Cambridge, has offered an insightful analysis into the markers that signal whether an individual belongs to the upper class. Sharing her observations on TikTok, Payne outlined the various behavioural and experiential cues that indicate one’s class background in everyday life.
Payne explained that traditional signs such as holding a degree, once a reliable indicator of high social standing, have become less definitive due to increased access to education across society. Consequently, those from upper-class backgrounds tend to signal their status through other means. "How you act, how you talk and what you are talking about," Payne noted, are key indicators. She elaborated, "Do you know what's polite conversation? Do you know it's extremely impolite to ask about money and wealth? Do you have a wide vocabulary, are you well-read, and well spoken? All of these things signal allegiance to a certain class structure."
Membership of elite groups and certain cultural experiences also serve as class markers, according to Payne. She mentioned that activities such as attending the opera, visiting art galleries, or going on skiing holidays are commonly associated with upper-class status. "All of these things signal kind of allegiance to a certain class structure," she explained.
Highlighting how social advantages extend beyond education, Payne discussed the disparities in what is taught to working-class children versus their wealthier peers. Knowledge of navigating the education system, understanding which universities and courses to apply to, and knowing workplace etiquette such as CV writing, are all critical forms of social capital. Payne said, "They know how to act, they know how to get heard. They know how to navigate the education and employment system, and that gives them this inherent advantage in life."
The conversation about class differences prompted numerous responses from the public on social media. Commenters highlighted seemingly minor behaviours as clear giveaways of class. For instance, one noted, "I always pay attention to what people do with a butter dish," recalling an experience where Tory MPs’ parents demonstrated a particular way of spreading butter that stood out. Others agreed that the manner in which bread is buttered and eaten in restaurants is revealing of class, with one describing, "Tear bread, add a small piece of butter with the knife and eat it, don’t bite the bread."
Additional anecdotes touched on social practices such as where families go skiing, networking and CV strategies taught within upper-class families, and differing perceptions of good manners in restaurant settings.
Separately, a YouGov survey conducted for HSBC, titled Your Money's Worth: Defining Wealth in 2025, shed light on contemporary perceptions of wealth in the UK. The study of 2,000 people found that certain lifestyle features and material possessions are now symbols of wealth in the public mind. Having a kitchen island and a cleaner, for example, were cited by 10 per cent and 25 per cent of respondents respectively as indicators of affluence. Owning a car (15 per cent), multiple cars (27 per cent), a private jet (50 per cent), yacht (48 per cent), or sports car (43 per cent) also remain strong symbols of wealth.
The study also highlighted the importance of non-material markers in defining wealth today. Nearly half (49 per cent) of people associate wealth with having a portfolio of investments, while 48 per cent link it to the capacity to retire early and to take holidays. Other intangible factors such as strong personal relationships (15 per cent), investing in education and self-improvement (11 per cent), and maintaining a good work-life balance (14 per cent) were also seen as signs of wealth.
The income threshold for being considered wealthy stood at £213,000 according to the research. Generational differences were notable as well: nearly half of Generation Z (49 per cent) valued non-material signs of wealth more than older age groups.
Together, the insights from Dani Payne and the HSBC/YouGov study outline the intricate ways in which class and wealth are signalled and perceived in UK society, encompassing behavioural traits, social knowledge, lifestyle experiences, and material possessions.
Source: Noah Wire Services