Middle Class Crookery

A report in Britain suggests that an “unrestrained pursuit of self-interest and profit” had swept through society. Moral standards within the middle classes had been eroded by those who have adopted a dog-eat-dog mentality and that the middle classes justify their behaviour by treating the odd bit of crime as a “revolt” against some apparent injustice.

This Is London reports:

The middle classes are showing an unprecedented contempt for the law, with two thirds admitting to offences such as tax evasion or hiking up insurance claims, a survey suggests.

In some circles, obeying the rules is viewed as a “disadvantage” among those determined to improve their home or get their own back for high insurance premiums.

Other common misdemeanours include inflating insurance claims – adding a set of golf clubs to a shed burglary, for example – or taking items such as stationery from work. Then there is keeping change if handed too much by a shopkeeper.

The Sun helpfully has a quiz to let you know if you’re one of the crooked and says:

THE law-abiding majority is now a MINORITY as Brits pick and choose which rules to obey. Sixty-five per cent have committed an offence against government, business or their employers. And ten per cent have committed nine or more.

The trend for stealing the odd pen has been dubbed “middle class crime” and could cost the nation more than burglary.