William Shenstone Quotes

It is impossible, in our condition of Society, not to be sometimes a Snob.

We're a phenomenally snobby society, and it's such a rich seam. The middle class is so funny: it's the class I know best, and it's the class where you find the most pretension, so that's what makes the middle classes so funny.

The biggest crime in England is to rise above your station. It's fine to be a pop star. 'Oh, it's great, lots of fun, aren't they sweet, these pop stars! But to think you have anything to say about how the world should work? What arrogance!'

I've got to be high class... Which is sad, because I like bars.

Inverted snobbery is just as dangerous as snobbery itself, you know - that pride in having nothing.

In the field of snobbery, Australia is an underdeveloped country; even a few British ex-colonies, regarded as under developed in all other respects, could export a great deal of snobbery to Australia and still have enough to spare for their own, internal needs.

By nature servile, people attempt at first glance to find signs of good breeding in the appearance of those who occupy more exalted stations.

Although the rudiments of snobbery are there, its finer developments are basically alien to the Australian soul - that is, if Australians have a soul; many people believe that they are too matter-of-fact and down-to-earth to have such fancy commodities.

When aristocrats pretend they're common people -- they get common!

Being a posh actor in England you cannot escape the class-typing from whatever side you look at it.

The true snob never rests; there is always a higher goal to attain, and there are, by the same token, always more and more people to look down upon.

England is obsessed with where you came from, and they are determined to keep you in that place, be it in a drawing room or in the gutter.

There's an unhealthy obsession in America with royalty and the class system.

Is class snobbery a social reality in the United States? Absolutely, and the kind that's codified by meritocracy is probably more toxic than the old-fashioned kind based on bloodlines.

All the people I know have been conditioned by snobbery.

There are only two classes - first class and no class.

As I look back now I can see that I was a perfect little aristocrat.

Aristocracy is naturally abhorrent to me, and adored equality is my idol.

... more snobbish than their English butlers.

… an army of Gatsbys wanting not to overturn the social order but only to belong to the upper crust.

No social class, intellectual category or art form is immune to the snob virus.

I know places you better speak low if you've been to college. Men will come across the room and cold-deck you if you hold your glass wrong.

I think poshness is very funny! But I think it's also delightful. There's something wonderful and very innocent about it, particularly with the Edwardians.

Fashion Week is a great opportunity to make unimportant people feel like they own the world.

Class is really interesting to me, maybe because I'm from England where there is a pretty hideous, deep-rooted obsession with class. I don't like the obsession with class, but it certainly interests me.