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by DavidHume on February 19th, 2007
On what date in 1976 was Black History Month started?
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You're reading Do you get chavs in America? No one seems to get my chav-mocking sense of humour on this crazy site.
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Comments
They're not poor usually they've got more money than taste hence the jibe
by smart9426 on February 19th, 2007
I see. I regard people who make jibes like this as having poor taste, but each to their own. At best it is stereotyping.
by DavidHume on February 19th, 2007
Can't say I agree with this. Although there is a weak correlation between lack of wealth and "chavness", it's not a defining trait (I've heard Kate Moss referred to as a chav, for example).
Most people I know dislike chavs as an archetype because they tend to be a lot more belligerent and antagonistic than members of other teenage subcultures.
by Cuttlefish on February 19th, 2007
On the other hand, some, such as me, regard those who apply such stereotypes as being belligerent and antagonistic. As I said, each to their own.
by DavidHume on February 19th, 2007
DavidHume you are SILLY! There are many many many a rich chav. And many many poor people who are perfectly normal.
by benoit_gemise on February 19th, 2007
You really should change that answer. Whilst the majority of chavs have less money than most, the fact there are still multitudes of them in my city, which is one of the most expensive to live in in Britain, would suggest that most of them are above the poverty bracket.
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
I'll leave it as it is. The whole concept is trash. Stereotyping is only done by the stupid.
by DavidHume on February 22nd, 2007
Rubbish. It's a natural phenomenon. Everyone does it to a certain extent, get off your high horse David
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
That's pretty rude, James. "Chavs" belongs in the same category as "niggers" or "poofs". I don't think it is a matter of a high horse to object to stereotyping; it does a lot of harm.
by DavidHume on February 22nd, 2007
No, because no one ever got killed for being a chav. There are no historical connotations associated with this word, you really are going off the deep end.
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
no, it's not the same, 'niggers' and 'poofs' don't choose to be that way, and there is nothing wrong with it. People who dress head to foot in white addidas trackies, tuck there trousers into socks, wear 'bling', smoke, yell abuse at all passing people and generally are rude and desruptive make the decision to behave like that, it's not a false stereotype, they choose to portray themselves in that way.
by HappyJeans on February 22nd, 2007
People choose if they want to stereotype others that way though. If you want to criticise people for the clothes they wear, I find that not just rude and disruptive but unhelpful. Not every kid who dresses like that is bad; didn't you ever conform to a teeenage fashion?
by DavidHume on February 22nd, 2007
Well put HappyJeans!
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
The clothes are an effect of joining this social group, not the definition of it. You seem very hung up on the idea that we are mocking their clothes. I couldn't care less, it's more the anti social behaviour and general violence which the majority of chavs exhibit some form of. Obviously they aren't all murdering vandals, but they all have characteristics that make a distinction hard to make. I know people who are chavs, and they are lovely. The people that mugged me last night were exactly the same, but they were threatening me with stabbing. Up until that point, they were identical.
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
I'm sorry they were mugged, James. The judgement you make needs to be meaningful; rather than railing against "chavs", you should focus on muggers and criminals, not all of whom dress in a particular way, as you must know.
by DavidHume on February 22nd, 2007
I understand what you are saying, but let me explain myself a little further so we can really see eye to eye.
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
David, yes, I bordered on a few teenage fashions, the closest I ever came was an 'art fag' stereotype, however, I chose to dress and act like this and knew that made me look like and 'art fag' which is EXACTLY what I am. All people who CHOOSE to act and dress like chavs do so to make themselves conform to that stereotype, and know that it is to fit in to a group!
by HappyJeans on February 22nd, 2007
Most teens go through something similar. When I used to be a punk, I was really sick of being judged by peole who did not know me because of how I dressed. Look beyond the clothing, please. All teen fashions look silly to older folks.
by DavidHume on February 22nd, 2007
Now, for example, let's take the "Skater" subculture. This can be followed by people who have never skated, and/or don't really understand why they are wearing their DC shoes and No Fear T-Shirts. However, in collective mind of the subculture, there is an "ideal" person to be, that defines what a skater is. Of course, there is no real person that is like this, but there you go. This person is likely to be laid back, amazing at the skateboard, witty, intelligent and who smokes marijuana. So in my opinion and experience, this makes skaters more likely to pretend they have smoked weed, or indeed actually smoke it. Now the ideal for chavs is a tough guy, strong, someone who has done some petty crime which shows how manly they are. What sort of effects do you think this would have on someone with a "chav mindset"?
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
Do you understand what I'm trying to convey? I admit it isn't very clear, ah well I'm off to have a curry.
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
I have no idea, and I think your "chav mindset" is likely a circualr definition.
by DavidHume on February 22nd, 2007
David - ' All teen fashions look silly to older folks' I am not 'older folk' I am the same age as most of the chavs, and at the age where i have many friends who like to conform to different groups, but THEY create the stereotype, not others looking in. James is totally right, these people TRY to conform to this stereotype - it's what defines them.
by HappyJeans on February 22nd, 2007
Maybe to you. I, being old enough to have seem many waves of teen fashions come and go, know different.
by DavidHume on February 22nd, 2007
you're contradicting yourself, if you have seen many waves of teen fashions come and go, then you must know that it is the teens that perpetuate these stereotypes - they then grow out of these fads - and realise how stupid they look and the stereotype goes. why? Because the people living up to that stereotype no longer want it to continue.
by HappyJeans on February 22nd, 2007
Te other constant though is generation after generation of teenagers losing out on opporttunities because of the way they choose to dress. Teenagers (some of them anyway) can't help but rebel; adults on the other hand really shold know better than to take their rebellion at face value.
by DavidHume on February 22nd, 2007
David, as you are equating age with wisdom, I really don't think I have the patience to discuss with you any more. You are being hypocritical, thinking that something like age (or I don't know, clothes and appearance?) can be an indicator of something else like intelligence (or general mindset).
by James Black on February 22nd, 2007
The only person being classist here is you, just because you are poor doesn't mean you need to wear white tracksuits and fake jewelry and go around with your mates acting hard.
Wow and I just read some of your comments and you are an idiot.
being a chav is a choice. Being black or gay is not. Being a chav is bad. Being gay or black is not.
by Tom_B1732 on November 22nd, 2010