On Hipsters
- Thread starter deathmetal
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Plato and Socrates both had things to say about young people, the quotes were something like this :roll: but more words. I don't think the big picture changes that much over time, just the specifics.
Their have been times and places in history where groups of young people skip the awkward years of rejecting society's norms by following the norms of the current trend, I am thinking of ten year old's working full time in the factories of the industrial revolution, or child soldiers in Africa... To be honest, I think that whole awkward drama of being a teenager (in the 21st century, the teenage years do seem to carry through until at least 25...another topic maybe) and fitting in by not fitting in is part of the transition process between child and adult, so on a good day I just smile to myself when I see hipster behaviour. On a grumpy day I definitely get my rant on concerning hipsters, this just happens to be a good day, a Saturday with my beautiful wife and daughters who deserve my attention so I better leave it at that. I enjoyed a bowl of 50/50 RLP-6 and turkish ribbon in a beat up old falcon this morning while strolling to get the milk and bread with my toddler. (So hipster right now)
Isaac
Their have been times and places in history where groups of young people skip the awkward years of rejecting society's norms by following the norms of the current trend, I am thinking of ten year old's working full time in the factories of the industrial revolution, or child soldiers in Africa... To be honest, I think that whole awkward drama of being a teenager (in the 21st century, the teenage years do seem to carry through until at least 25...another topic maybe) and fitting in by not fitting in is part of the transition process between child and adult, so on a good day I just smile to myself when I see hipster behaviour. On a grumpy day I definitely get my rant on concerning hipsters, this just happens to be a good day, a Saturday with my beautiful wife and daughters who deserve my attention so I better leave it at that. I enjoyed a bowl of 50/50 RLP-6 and turkish ribbon in a beat up old falcon this morning while strolling to get the milk and bread with my toddler. (So hipster right now)
Isaac
When family, friends and co workers heard I took to puffing a pipe they all said, well you always acted a bit posh old chap, seriously.
I am no hipster as a teen I was bookish, nerdish loved opera and Beethoven.
Now being a 36 year old gym rat who also practises martial arts I once decided to grow a beard and shaved my balding head just for fun during winter two seasons past, I also wore old tweed jackets from my oxford days. a couple of trendy hipsters at work ask me to drink coffee with them, well yes I do enjoy coffee, they took me to this place that serves coffee beans that passed through the digestive system of a civet which I refused to drink as one cuppa cost around $15.00 I am quite happy with a cuppa from starbucks and made it be known, only to hear how I'm too narrow minded and thrifty to try new experiences... soon afterwards and to my mothers relief I shaved off my beard, won't even attempt inviting them to my wine club such people are really boring once you probe past their thinly constructed veneer.
And apart from a couple of friends in Germany, I am the only pipe smoker I know.
I am no hipster as a teen I was bookish, nerdish loved opera and Beethoven.
Now being a 36 year old gym rat who also practises martial arts I once decided to grow a beard and shaved my balding head just for fun during winter two seasons past, I also wore old tweed jackets from my oxford days. a couple of trendy hipsters at work ask me to drink coffee with them, well yes I do enjoy coffee, they took me to this place that serves coffee beans that passed through the digestive system of a civet which I refused to drink as one cuppa cost around $15.00 I am quite happy with a cuppa from starbucks and made it be known, only to hear how I'm too narrow minded and thrifty to try new experiences... soon afterwards and to my mothers relief I shaved off my beard, won't even attempt inviting them to my wine club such people are really boring once you probe past their thinly constructed veneer.
And apart from a couple of friends in Germany, I am the only pipe smoker I know.
As a fifth degree "aingesior" I am often referred to as a "codger." I am older, more set in my ways, I suppose. But, I would be the last to begrudge the youngsters their youth. I correct ill behavior when necessary, otherwise it is a waste of time and emotion to have strong feelings about the normal behavior of others.
I remember when I had to wear what everyone else, in my relatively small social circle, wore and behave according to some rather stringent rules if I was to succeed. There were only two different looks which were acceptable, flight suit and Class A's. Talk about trying hard to fit in!
I remember when I had to wear what everyone else, in my relatively small social circle, wore and behave according to some rather stringent rules if I was to succeed. There were only two different looks which were acceptable, flight suit and Class A's. Talk about trying hard to fit in!
In my youth my parents' generation hassled ours for wearing long hair and beards and we all stood up shouting how stuff like that shouldn't matter. So it seems awfully hypocritical for ours to now hassle the current youth generation for doing their own thing.
Of course I do see the irony in that what we refered to as expressing our individuality was in fact merely going with a generational trend. And I do have more empathy with my parents' generation, as it makes me ill seeing attractive, educated young women covered in grotesque tattos and cringe-inducing piercings. At least the crap we did to our appearance wasn't permanent. Glad I won't be around in 50 years to see all those saggy, wrinkled tattos.
Of course I do see the irony in that what we refered to as expressing our individuality was in fact merely going with a generational trend. And I do have more empathy with my parents' generation, as it makes me ill seeing attractive, educated young women covered in grotesque tattos and cringe-inducing piercings. At least the crap we did to our appearance wasn't permanent. Glad I won't be around in 50 years to see all those saggy, wrinkled tattos.
My 25 year old son and 22 year old daughter are into tattoos and while I am not crazy about them, there is nothing I can do. I choose not to rag on them or make them feel badly about their choices, I have learned to accept that this generation is into ink in a big way. They keep on trying to talk me in to getting a couple but so far they have had no luck. If I was going to I would get something from Yes's Yessongs and Tales of Totpographic Oceans albums as the stuff Roger Dean does is some of my favorite art work. I could also go for something like this. But if you are not in the Japanese Yakuza, then they would kill you if you were caught wearing it.
My 2p:
- I am, thank goodness, not a hipster. Nor could I ever be mistaken for one. :D
- I do, however, own a fixed gear: they are practical (easy to care for) and great for commuting in a place like London (in my experience).
- I also know multiple men who have beards, smoke pipes, and (occasionally) wear flannel. They are real outdoorsmen, NOT hipsters.
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- I am, thank goodness, not a hipster. Nor could I ever be mistaken for one. :D
- I do, however, own a fixed gear: they are practical (easy to care for) and great for commuting in a place like London (in my experience).
- I also know multiple men who have beards, smoke pipes, and (occasionally) wear flannel. They are real outdoorsmen, NOT hipsters.
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Of course you are scarface. You should feel quite comfortable here as you are more or less echoing thoughts which have been posted numerous times by some of the members, past and present. No one of us is very singular in our thoughts and deeds. It's all been said, written, or done before and others will say, write, or do the same in the future. This forum attracts a wide spectrum of people. There are many varied personalities but, none of us seems to be too original in our thoughts and deeds, at least very often.
I met my near clone in Russia. He was my counter part in a joint venture. We formed a very tenuous and competitive friendship to my surprise.
Fascinating how we view ourselves is often diametrically opposed to how others see us. Given the wide, continually morphing, definitions of "hipster" I would bet you fit someone's definition averageagent. The need for people to categorize others is human and, unfortunately, based on quick, superficial observations. Many here, observing you on your bicycle, would immediately categorize you as such. And, never seeing you again, would carry that impression to the grave, if they ever gave it a second thought.
I met my near clone in Russia. He was my counter part in a joint venture. We formed a very tenuous and competitive friendship to my surprise.
Fascinating how we view ourselves is often diametrically opposed to how others see us. Given the wide, continually morphing, definitions of "hipster" I would bet you fit someone's definition averageagent. The need for people to categorize others is human and, unfortunately, based on quick, superficial observations. Many here, observing you on your bicycle, would immediately categorize you as such. And, never seeing you again, would carry that impression to the grave, if they ever gave it a second thought.
I have a beard, wear work boots everywhere, most of my shirts are plaid, I wear an Elglish made wool cap while I smoke a pipe, and the horses give me the friendliest greeting I'll get all week.
What group am I trying to fit in with?
What group am I trying to fit in with?
Back in my day it was a desire to be cool. Of course I was the coolest in my high school and even to this day, all of my kids friends think I am the coolest parent they know. You are either born with the cool gene or not, there is no faking being cool.
Hipsters are just trying to be cool themselves and there is nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately for them, cool is something from days long past and while they try, they will never be as cool as my generation.
Hipsters are just trying to be cool themselves and there is nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately for them, cool is something from days long past and while they try, they will never be as cool as my generation.
I think it's good to let folks do what they want and be who they want to be. A hipster has never hurt...or even really annoyed me. Kids will be kids. young people will be young people.
I just don't want to be the old guy talking about the good old days and yelling "get off my lawn".
I just don't want to be the old guy talking about the good old days and yelling "get off my lawn".
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