You don’t have to wear a Barbour jacket or drive a hybrid to give off middle class vibes.
Sometimes it’s what you casually say that gives it away, especially in the UK, where class signals are woven into everyday language. Whether it’s a throwaway comment about Waitrose or the way you navigate small talk at a dinner party, certain phrases quietly reveal where you sit in the social food chain. Here are some things people say that not-so quietly scream middle class, even if they don’t mean to.
1. “I just popped into M&S for a few bits.”
Source: Unsplash No one “pops” into M&S for a few bits unless those bits are posh ready meals and Percy Pigs. It’s the go-to phrase of someone who shops where the lighting is soft, the staff say “madam,” and everything feels one tier above basic. You’re not just buying groceries—you’re buying mood lighting, fancy packaging, and the illusion of calm. Even if you’re on a budget, the fact that this feels like a normal errand is telling.
2. “It’s got such lovely natural light.”
Only a certain type of person comments on light quality when viewing a flat or house. It’s not about practicality—it’s about the vibe. You’re thinking in terms of brunch aesthetics and plant survival, not whether the windows are drafty. This is the sort of thing you say when you’ve watched a lot of Kirstie and Phil, and your ideal kitchen has bi-fold doors and a coffee machine that isn’t from Argos.
3. “I don’t mind paying a bit more if it’s good quality.”
This is classic middle class code for “I’m justifying spending £80 on linen trousers.” It’s not about being flashy—it’s about valuing “investment pieces” and pretending that makes it financially sensible. Deep down, this is about comfort over cost. You’re not extravagant, just “considered.” But to others, it still reads as someone who’s never had to pick between a bill and a meal deal.
4. “We’ve just booked a little cottage in Cornwall.”
The use of “little” is doing a lot of work here. It makes a week in an £1,100 Airbnb sound humble and down to earth. There’s also an unspoken sense that Cornwall is the tasteful alternative to anywhere abroad with sun loungers. It’s a very specific type of British luxury—walking boots, cream teas, and a slow-burn novel on a pebble beach. And yes, you brought your own oat milk.
5. “We’re thinking about getting a cleaner, just for a few hours a week.”
This one often comes with an apologetic tone, like you’re almost ashamed to say it. But the fact you’re even considering outsourcing your hoovering suggests you’ve got a bit of financial wiggle room. It’s not about laziness; it’s about “freeing up time,” usually for things like yoga, weekend markets, or reorganising your spice rack alphabetically.
6. “It’s a bit… provincial.”
This vague critique pops up in conversation about towns, restaurants, or interiors. It’s a polite way of saying “not very stylish” without sounding outright snobby. However, make no mistake—it still lands that way. If you’re using “provincial” as a stand-in for “unrefined,” you’re definitely operating from a particular kind of middle class bubble where aesthetics matter more than you’d admit.
7. “I don’t usually shop at Primark, but…”
Nothing says middle class like defensively justifying a bargain. You’re clearly aware of how the brand aligns with your identity—or doesn’t—and you feel the need to explain. Whether it’s a pair of socks or a surprise cushion find, this little disclaimer signals that you’re normally more of a Zara Home person, but today, you made an exception.
8. “We did a wine tasting in the Cotswolds last year.”
Source: Unsplash You didn’t just go on holiday. You curated a cultural experience. Middle class travel is all about activities that make your Instagram grid look quietly impressive without being too flashy. Wine tasting is peak soft luxury—educational enough to be respectable, indulgent enough to feel like a treat, and just rustic enough to avoid sounding bougie on purpose.
9. “We’re renovating the kitchen, finally.”
Source: Unsplash To renovate a kitchen is to admit you’ve settled somewhere long enough to have complaints about cupboard layout. This isn’t a survival update—it’s an aesthetic decision, and often one that involves sage green paint and a boiling water tap. Even if you’re stretching the budget, the language here assumes homeownership, choice, and the belief that worktops should be made of things like quartz or marble, not Formica.
10. “They’ve got a lovely bit of outside space.”
Source: Unsplash No middle class Brit ever just says “garden” or “yard.” It’s always a “bit of outside space,” often described in tones reserved for a National Trust site. Whether it’s a postage stamp patio or a sprawling terrace with potted herbs, this phrase carries a sense of pride—and hints at a lifestyle that involves sundowners, not just hanging out laundry.
11. “We try to shop local when we can.”
Source: Unsplash This one sounds thoughtful, and to be fair, often is. However, it’s also a soft class flex. You’re not just buying food; you’re curating a relationship with a sourdough baker and a greengrocer who knows your name. It suggests time, access, and disposable income—not everyone can opt out of the Tesco big shop just because they’d rather get courgettes from someone named Graham at the Saturday market.
12. “I just need a flat white to function.”
There are many ways to order coffee, but “flat white” is the silent badge of middle class caffeine dependence. It’s not as basic as an Americano and not as frothy as a latte—just the right level of curated fussiness. It also suggests you know your beans, your baristas, and likely have strong opinions about whether oat milk should be steamed. If you call it “just part of the routine,” you’re already in deep.
13. “Have you read that Guardian piece about it?”
Source: Unsplash This is the classic intellectual name-drop. You’re not just making a point—you’re referencing thoughtful journalism, and subtly suggesting you’re the kind of person who reads beyond the headlines. It’s not rude, it’s not loud, but it quietly places you in a social tier where conversation and reading lists matter. Bonus points if you share the article later with a “worth a read” caption.
14. “We’re just doing a bit of decluttering.”
Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of stuff—it’s become a lifestyle ritual. Whether it’s inspired by Marie Kondo or just too many Boden catalogues piling up, it’s a middle class marker of control and space. This isn’t a clear-out. It’s a curation. And it usually involves storage baskets, labelled spice jars, and a very specific emotional attachment to “good lighting” and minimalism.
