Part X - On Bearing

This is part of a series discussing The Theory of the Leisure Class, Thorstein Veblen.  His third chapter is on Conspicuous Leisure. 

In this day and age, Veblen’s use of the term ‘bearing’ seems out of date.  We talk about manners, and perhaps posture and poise (for women) or presence (usually for men).  One also reads about having the ‘the right attitude'.  Veblen's use of 'bearing' seems to encompass all of these and a bit more:  it's about 'knowing ones place' but also making sure others know theirs.  

I tend to think that Veblen's concept of ‘bearing’ is alive and well here in Britain and it’s not my favourite aspect of the culture.  I’ve whinged before about snooty shop (un-) assistants who frustrate me no end.  Instead of being annoyed with their social aspirations and ostensible refinements, I suppose I should just learn to laugh at it.  It is very often much like the caricatures seen in films, particularly British films.   The ones I occasionally encounter don't quite go the length of the exaggerated posh accent, however; that part of the charade has passed out of style.  On the other hand, I have seen customers so arrogant I'd not like to help them either.  I hope I'm more polite. 

Veblen says that one’s bearing towards menials and other ‘dependent inferiors’ is the bearing of the superior member in a relation of status, though its manifestation is greatly softened from the original expression of crude dominance.  In this book the inferior category includes all women.  I believe I experienced this attitude from most men when I lived in the US.  This might explain why I’m so sensitive when I meet it again here in Britain, though strangely I usually see it in women here.  The men don’t seem to need it, not the ones I know anyhow.   

“Similarly, our bearing towards superiors, and in great measure towards equals, expresses a more or less conventionalised attitude of subservience.  Witness the masterful presence of the high-minded gentleman or lady, which testifies to so much of dominance and independence of economic circumstances, and which at the same time appeals with such convincing force to our sense of what is right and gracious.”

I've seen Bill doff his imaginary cap and do a Cockney rendition of 'Bless you, govna' as a backwards form of 'kiss my XXX' (because he would never say the latter words).  Strange to think that the working classes felt they needed to use similar saluations because of their 'sense of what is right and gracious'.  I wonder if they were thinking more like Bill than Veblen back then? 

Veblen says it is the highest leisure class, with no superiors and few peers, that ‘decorum’ finds its fullest expression.  More applicable, it is the behaviour of this highest class which serves as a canon of conduct for the classes beneath.

“A divine assurance and an imperious complaisance, as of one habituated to require subservience and to take no thought for the morrow, is the birthright and the criterion of the gentleman at his best."   

This demeanour is accepted as in intrinsic attribute of superior worth.  I wonder if this might explain in part why people live far beyond their means in order to convince others they have more money than they have:  to feel they have superior worth.   

In the next post I’ll relate some of Veblen’s ideas about well bred wives and servants.