Final answer:
The concept of being 'comfortable' refers to a state of physical ease and satisfaction with one's living conditions. It is highly valued in middle-class lifestyles, indicating a life that includes high-quality amenities, such as education, healthcare, homes, and cars, that contribute to overall comfort and well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
When describing something as comfortable, it indicates that it provides a sense of physical ease and relaxation. This term is often used in relation to clothes, furniture, and living conditions. For instance, 'these trousers are comfortable' suggests that the trousers do not restrict movement and do not cause any discomfort when worn. Comfort is an important aspect for many, especially within the middle class, as highlighted by Gilbert (2010), who notes that middle-class individuals strive to live comfortable lives. They work towards ensuring their homes, cars, and leisure activities contribute to a comfortable lifestyle, just as a comfortable, roomy armchair that offers repose after exhaustion can enhance one's living space.
The desire for comfort extends to all areas of life, including education and healthcare for one's children, where a high-quality standard is sought. Being comfortable is both a physical state, as when one feels at ease in their clothing or surrounding, and a psychological state of satisfaction and security in one's lifestyle and amenities.