A few years ago, I received a series of "class rules" through an instant messaging group. The list describes how everyday things are interpreted, depending on your social class.

At that time, I was part of an executive master program at a very prestigious university, it cost me a third of my yearly income and had a huge impact on my personal life and finances.

Reading that list made me realize in just a few seconds that I had been studying there for four years for a completely different reason than those around me. I felt heavily depressed first, then I realized it was actually possible to switch my expectations. I focused the last few months on building and strengthening connections, it completely changed my relationship with this university and the people there.

Money:

  - You're poor? spend.
  - You're middle class? manage.
  - You're wealthy? invest.

Food:

  - You're poor? quantity.
  - You're middle class? quality.
  - You're wealthy? presentation.

Time:

  - You're poor? present.
  - You're middle class? future.
  - You're wealthy? tradition.

Education:

  - You're poor? abstract.
  - You're middle class? success and money.
  - You're wealthy? connect.

Family structure:

  - You're poor? matriarchal.
  - You're middle class? patriarchal.
  - You're wealthy? whoever owns the money.

Driving forces:

  - You're poor? relationships.
  - You're middle class? achievements.
  - You're wealthy? finances, social life.

Language:

  - You're poor? casual.
  - You're middle class? formal, to negotiate.
  - You're wealthy? formal, to network.

Social drive:

  - You're poor? inclusion.
  - You're middle class? self-sufficiency.
  - You're wealthy? exclusion.

Personality:

  - You're poor? be fun.
  - You're middle class? be an achiever.
  - You're wealthy? connect.

Destiny:

  - You're poor? it's fate. You can't change it.
  - You're middle class? your choices.
  - You're wealthy? your expectations.

Hope it inspires someone :)