--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We weren't very wealthy, but I had a real…" description: "\"We weren't very wealthy, but I had a real working-class guilt about wanting to perform. I felt disdain towards it because of the thought that performer..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5dd/roisin-conaty-18934_attention_we-weren-t-very-wealthy-but-i-had-a-real_1453331.jpg" --- # We weren't very wealthy, but I had a real working-class… ![“We weren't very wealthy, but I had a real working-class guilt about wanting to perform. I felt disdain towards it because of the thought that performers were looking for attention. I did theatre studies for my A levels, but didn't think a career as a performer was something I could do.” quote by Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5dd/roisin-conaty-18934_attention_we-weren-t-very-wealthy-but-i-had-a-real_1453331.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5dd/roisin-conaty-18934_attention_we-weren-t-very-wealthy-but-i-had-a-real_1453331.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5dd/roisin-conaty-18934_attention_we-weren-t-very-wealthy-but-i-had-a-real_1453331.jpg) > “We weren't very wealthy, but I had a real working-class guilt about wanting to perform. I felt disdain towards it because of the thought that performers were looking for attention. I did theatre studies for my A levels, but didn't think a career as a performer was something I could do.” [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reveals internal conflict between class background and desire for performance, feeling guilt and disdain for seeking attention. **In simple terms:** Class guilt hinders artistic ambition. Key Takeaway Own your passion despite class expectations. Themes identity class artistic ambition self-doubt guilt Mood reflective confessional Type personal motivational When to use this quote - Theatre auditions - career decisions - family expectations - public speaking Key Concepts Performance anxiety social class dynamics self-acceptance Questions to Reflect On - What internal narratives limit your creativity? - How can you reframe class identity? A Different Perspective Societal pressure can suppress authentic expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Looking For Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-for-attention/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [There's this working-class guilt - you don't want to be flashy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ant-mcpartlin/there-s-this-working-class-guilt-you-don-t-want-to-be-flashy/) [Ant McPartlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ant-mcpartlin/) > [One of the main reasons for wanting to perform live again was to have contact with that audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bush/one-of-the-main-reasons-for-wanting-to-perform-live-again-was-to-have/) [Kate Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bush/) > [The first part of my career was indeed as a performer and recording artist, and I am still keenly involved with both. While rummaging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-harbach/the-first-part-of-my-career-was-indeed-as-a-performer-and-recording/) [Barbara Harbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-harbach/) > [That's what this game is about, man. Wanting to perform. Wanting to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-george/that-s-what-this-game-is-about-man-wanting-to-perform-wanting-to-win/) [Paul George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-george/) > [It's difficult to be a mother and maintain a career as a performer - but then it's difficult in any industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-langford/it-s-difficult-to-be-a-mother-and-maintain-a-career-as-a-performer/) [Bonnie Langford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-langford/) > [My father was in real estate, banking, and land management. As family life, it was very conventional, happy, and comfortable. We weren't wealthy, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/my-father-was-in-real-estate-banking-and-land-management-as-family/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) > [As a child, I was tortured because my mother was a brilliant seamstress who made most of my clothes. I was despised by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-resnick/as-a-child-i-was-tortured-because-my-mother-was-a-brilliant/) [Lynda Resnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-resnick/) > [We weren't wealthy but we weren't poor either. My mum was a teacher and my dad, Chris, was an England international cricketer. We were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-broad/we-weren-t-wealthy-but-we-weren-t-poor-either-my-mum-was-a-teacher/) [Stuart Broad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-broad/) > [My mum and dad weren't wealthy people. We used to have pasta every day, meat once a week, fish was once every two weeks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gino-d-acampo/my-mum-and-dad-weren-t-wealthy-people-we-used-to-have-pasta-every-day/) [Gino D'Acampo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gino-d-acampo/) > [My mum was born in the former Czechoslovakia, and even though my grandparents weren't wealthy, they were aristocrats in their time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nargis-fakhri/my-mum-was-born-in-the-former-czechoslovakia-and-even-though-my/) [Nargis Fakhri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nargis-fakhri/) > [We weren't wealthy but we definitely weren't poor. We were incredibly rich because there was a wonderful community in Shepherd's Bush, where I grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-daltrey/we-weren-t-wealthy-but-we-definitely-weren-t-poor-we-were-incredibly/) [Roger Daltrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-daltrey/) > [“It's alive and well everywhere. Native Americans get a lot of crap in the West and south west. Muslims get treated like crap in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-stockett/it-s-alive-and-well-everywhere-native-americans-get-a-lot-of-crap-in/) [Kathryn Stockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-stockett/) > [Mental illness, unfortunately, is an invisible disease: it's not seen or heard. For whatever reason, because of that, society has decided that if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauro-ranallo/mental-illness-unfortunately-is-an-invisible-disease-it-s-not-seen-or/) [Mauro Ranallo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauro-ranallo/) > [I'm one of those people who snake through the crowd, keep my head low. I'm not looking for attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-lennon/i-m-one-of-those-people-who-snake-through-the-crowd-keep-my-head-low/) [Julian Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-lennon/) > [No one wants a masterpiece knocking around when your own book is looking for attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tibor-fischer/no-one-wants-a-masterpiece-knocking-around-when-your-own-book-is/) [Tibor Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tibor-fischer/) ## More by Roisin Conaty > [Stand-up is one of the art forms where you don't have to look nice, and I hope it stays that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/stand-up-is-one-of-the-art-forms-where-you-don-t-have-to-look-nice/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [Passion and kindness are the most attractive qualities. Sense of humour is up there, but kindness becomes more important as you get older. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/passion-and-kindness-are-the-most-attractive-qualities-sense-of/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I've never been that girl who has to be in a relationship. My job has given me such a big, full life and, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-ve-never-been-that-girl-who-has-to-be-in-a-relationship-my-job-has/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [But stand-up is also one of the few art forms where women aren't judged on their appearance - possibly the only one where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/but-stand-up-is-also-one-of-the-few-art-forms-where-women-aren-t/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I like garish things: I like the 1970s and 1960s, and country music - that big-hair look. I don't go for nudes or beiges.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-like-garish-things-i-like-the-1970s-and-1960s-and-country-music/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I like a lot of makeup and I like big blonde hair. Life's too short for the natural look. Bang it on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-like-a-lot-of-makeup-and-i-like-big-blonde-hair-life-s-too-short/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I'm a terrible dresser. I wouldn't know what's in or what season I'm in. It's a real effort for me not to look mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-m-a-terrible-dresser-i-wouldn-t-know-what-s-in-or-what-season-i-m/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I still identify as Irish. But I'm a Londoner too. It really is a great place to grow up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-still-identify-as-irish-but-i-m-a-londoner-too-it-really-is-a-great/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [My dad died suddenly. He had a heart attack aged 52. When the hospital phoned to tell me, it felt like when you take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/my-dad-died-suddenly-he-had-a-heart-attack-aged-52-when-the-hospital/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [Female standups are like hustlers. We have to be. We fight to get gigs or on to panel shows. We're made to earn it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/female-standups-are-like-hustlers-we-have-to-be-we-fight-to-get-gigs/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [My mum is hilarious. My dad was very, very funny too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/my-mum-is-hilarious-my-dad-was-very-very-funny-too/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I like a sleeve on a dress, something pinched in at the waist that shows my figure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-like-a-sleeve-on-a-dress-something-pinched-in-at-the-waist-that/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I'm a Londoner, and I feel I can't live anywhere but London, but I feel more connected to Ireland as a country. I 'get'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-m-a-londoner-and-i-feel-i-can-t-live-anywhere-but-london-but-i-feel/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [I always worry what I would have done if I hadn't found comedy. I think what would I have ended up doing? I've worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/i-always-worry-what-i-would-have-done-if-i-hadn-t-found-comedy-i/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) > [Most shows for me tend to be 'missable', because I work in the evenings, but if 'Come Dine With Me' is on I'll find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-conaty/most-shows-for-me-tend-to-be-missable-because-i-work-in-the-evenings/) [Roisin Conaty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) [Explore all 33 Roisin Conaty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-conaty/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. 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