Part of the human experience is people sorting themselves into groups that share the same values, goals, outlook, and so forth, and along the way developing outward characteristics for both internal and external identification purposes: Dress, manner, speech, vocabulary, hairstyle, etc.
When I was in high school there were Greasers, Jocks, Nerds, Punks, Hippies, and Cowboys.
A generation later Emos and Hipsters were added to the mix.
A hundred years ago there were Flappers.
In England they have Mods, Rockers, and Teddy Boys.
And so on.
Indeed, an entire TV show was made about it: Freaks and Geeks
However, the most distinctive group to come along in my lifetime doesn't seem to have a "group name" that I've been able to discover.
I live in a neighborhood that has a noted street of restaurants, coffee bars, clothing shops, and several specialty shops: a multi-storey bookstore, a tattoo parlor, and a national-class longboard skateboard operation.
When I'm out and about I always encounter several guys who look as if they checked with each other before leaving the house they look so alike: arm and neck tattoos, a yarn hat, a full (almost cinderblock-size) beard, and a tight, knitted sweatshirt or T-shirt. Colors are always drab. Muted military greens, browns, and so forth. (Though the yarn hat might be dark blue) Facial piercings seem to be optional but common.
I thought it was a local look, but then started seeing it on some TV shows about custom car builders that are filmed all over the country.
So. Does that group have a name?
Enquiring minds want to know.
When I was in high school there were Greasers, Jocks, Nerds, Punks, Hippies, and Cowboys.
A generation later Emos and Hipsters were added to the mix.
A hundred years ago there were Flappers.
In England they have Mods, Rockers, and Teddy Boys.
And so on.
Indeed, an entire TV show was made about it: Freaks and Geeks
However, the most distinctive group to come along in my lifetime doesn't seem to have a "group name" that I've been able to discover.
I live in a neighborhood that has a noted street of restaurants, coffee bars, clothing shops, and several specialty shops: a multi-storey bookstore, a tattoo parlor, and a national-class longboard skateboard operation.
When I'm out and about I always encounter several guys who look as if they checked with each other before leaving the house they look so alike: arm and neck tattoos, a yarn hat, a full (almost cinderblock-size) beard, and a tight, knitted sweatshirt or T-shirt. Colors are always drab. Muted military greens, browns, and so forth. (Though the yarn hat might be dark blue) Facial piercings seem to be optional but common.
I thought it was a local look, but then started seeing it on some TV shows about custom car builders that are filmed all over the country.
So. Does that group have a name?
Enquiring minds want to know.
