The 5 Stupidest Habits You Develop Growing Up Poor

[YarnAddict]

126. Ruby Payne

I heard a lecture by her once, and it was fascinating. Her audience was made up of people in the "helping professions"--teachers, social workers, etc., and the gist of the message is that people in poverty need a mentor to achieve transition to the middle class. They need to learn the "hidden rules of the middle class." Things most of us take for granted, like showing up ON TIME for a job, or calling in if your are sick. For most of us, that is just common sense, but to many people in poverty, they just don't know that's how it's done.

In explaining the culture of poverty to us, who were mostly middle class, she compared the things we understand about middle class life to the "hidden rules of the upper class." When presented that way, it was obvious that most of us wouldn't have a clue about how to function among the upper class.

She gave an example of taking a casserole to her husband's colleague, who was ill or had suffered a loss. This is someething that most of us would have done. Unfortunately, it isn't something that is done among those in the upper class. The recipient looked down her nose at it and Ruby felt uncomfortable at her reaction.

Check it out: http://www.ahaprocess.com/who-we-are/dr-ruby-payne/