"He recognizes distinctions in social class but they mean nothing." Oddly, this is also true of genuine aristicrats. I have been told that the late Robert Montgomery Scott, for many years the CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (and the son of Hope Montgomery Scott of Philadelphia Story fame) could have walked into any working-class bar and hit it off with everybody within minutes.
And Mr Nabokov, who was so critical of translations (". . . the queer world of verbal transmigration"), said-- hearteningly for those of us who must depend on translations--
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It has always been my belief that the TRULY classy have no need for airs or arrogance, because they do no believe themselves above anyone. They are easy in their own skin and want everyone else to be at ease as well, which is the true purpose of manners. It's the insecure that are insufferable snobs.
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