Navigating the Middle Class: Learning New Rules

Wen Wen Yang, who grew up poor and recently entered the middle class, shares her experiences and challenges of trying to fit into a new social class. She reflects on the differences in social cues and norms between the two classes, such as the way food is ordered in restaurants. Wen Wen also highlights the fear of being judged and the pressure to blend in with her middle-class coworkers. She acknowledges that her background affects how she perceives herself and worries about being viewed as incompetent. Researchers confirm that people do judge others based on class markers, reinforcing the importance of addressing inequality and challenging societal biases.