Knowledge of the Hidden Rules of Social Class: A Questionnaire

Adapted from Ruby K. Payne's book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty,
4th rev. ed. (2005), for an exercise developed by Patrick J. Ashton.

Purpose: To help you gain insight into the taken-for-granted knowledge needed to survive in various social classes.

Assignment: For each of the three questionnaires below, place a check mark in front of each item that you definitely know how to do-- right now, today, at this very minute. Be honest. If you are the least bit unsure, do not check the item. If you don�t have children, use yourself and your siblings as a reference group.

Surviving in Poverty

_____1. I know which churches and sections of town have the best rummage sales.

_____2. I know where the nearest food bank is and when it is open.

_____3. I know which grocery stores� garbage bins can be accessed for thrown-away

food.

_____4. I know how to get someone out of jail.

_____5. I know how to physically fight and can defend myself if necessary.

_____6. I know how a person can get a gun even if they have a police record.

_____7. I know how to keep my clothes from being stolen at the Laundromat.

_____8. I know what problems to look for in a used car.

_____9. I know how to live without a checking account.

_____10. I know how to get by without electricity and without a phone.

_____11. I know how to use a knife as scissors.

_____12. I can entertain a group of friends with my personality and my stories.

_____13. I know what to do when I don�t have the money to pay my bills.

_____14. I know how to move my residence in less than a day.

_____15. I know how to feed 8 people for 5 days on $100.�

_____16. I know how to get and use food stamps.

_____17. I know where the free medical clinics are and when they are open.

_____18. I am very good at trading and bartering.

_____19. I know how to get around without a car.

_____20. I know what day of the month welfare and social security checks arrive.

Functioning in the Middle Class

_____1.� I know how to get my children signed up for Little League, soccer, piano

lessons, etc.

_____2. �I know how to properly set a table.

_____ 3.� I know which stores are most likely to carry the clothing brands my family

wears.

_____ 4. My children know the best name brands in clothing.

_____ 5. I know how to order in a nice restaurant.

_____ 6. I know how to use a credit card, checking account, and savings account.

_____ 7. I know how to use an ATM card, and I know where the nearest ATM �

machines are.

_____ 8. The children in my family expect to go to college.

_____ 9. I understand term life insurance, disability insurance, house and flood

insurance.

_____ 10. I know how to get the best interest rates on a mortgage or new car loan.

_____ 11. I understand what a pension annuity is and how it works.

_____� 12. I understand the difference among the principal, interest, and escrow

statements on my house payment.

_____ 13. I know how to help my children with their homework.

_____ 14. If my children have a problem at school, I do not hesitate to contact the

teacher or principal.

_____ 15. I know how to decorate the house for different holidays.

_____ 16. I know how to get a library card and how to check out books at the public

library.

_____ 17. I know where to go and register to vote and where my local polling place is.

_____ 18. I repair items in my house immediately when they break or I know a repair

service and call it.

_____ 19. I use at least two of the following on a regular basis: laptop, cell phone, DVD

player, mp3 player, digital camera, social networking site(s).

____20. I know how to use various tools in the garage or basement.

Functioning in the Upper Class

_____ 1. I can read a menu in French, English, and another language.

_____ 2. I have several favorite restaurants in different parts of the country or in

different countries.

_____ 3. I know how and where to hire an interior decorator to identify the

appropriate themes and items with which to decorate my residence.

_____ 4. I know how and where to hire domestic help, including maids, caterers, and

gardeners.

_____ 5. I can name my regular financial advisor, lawyer, and barber or hair stylist.

_____ 6. I have at least two residences which are staffed and maintained.

_____ 7. I know how to ensure confidentiality and loyalty from my domestic staff.

_____ 8. I have at least two �screens� that keep people from me whom I do not wish to

see.

_____ 9. I frequently vacation in foreign countries.

_____ 10. I fly in my own plane, the company plane, jet timeshare, or first class.

_____ 11. I belong to at least two exclusive, members-only private clubs.

_____ 12. I know how to enroll my children in the preferred private schools.

_____ 13. I know how to host parties that �key� people attend.

_____ 14. I am on the boards of at least two charities.

_____ 15. I know the hidden rules of the Junior League, the country club, and other

private organizations.

_____ 16. My personal phone book contains the unlisted numbers of at least a dozen

well-known people.

_____ 17. I am familiar with personal security systems and devices.

_____ 18. I have a favorite artist whom I support by buying his or her work (originals,

not prints).

_____ 19. I know how to read a corporate financial statement and the stock reports in

the daily paper.

_____ 20. I can easily converse about the �best� wines, art, designers, resorts, etc. My

clothing, personal items, and residential furnishing were created by the most exclusive designers.