For quite some time now, I've been incredibly intrigued and annoyed by a certain group of people who reside in our fair city. Up until recently, I wasn't aware that this group had an "official" title. Fortunately, a recent blog by Glenda not only firmed up a label for said group, but made me realize that I'm not the only one intersted in this fascinating new breed of young adults. These people are Hipsters. The New York City Anti-Hipster Forum really gives a clear cut definition of what a Hipster IS. Just so we're all on the same page, here is a list (courtesy of the forum) of traits typical of most Hipsters:
10. Hails from the Midwest, lives somewhere in Brooklyn.
9. Owns at least two Guided By Voices albums.
8. Firmly believes that Ralph Nader should have won the 2000 presidential election.
7. General arts over-education (i.e. has either designs to attend graduate school, is in graduate school or has gone to graduate school)
6. Parents shoulder some of his/her financial burden.
5. Owns at least three too tight T-shirts adorned with dated symbols (usually fuzzy or shiny/decal) with which he/she has absolutely no knowledge or connection.
4. Can readily and willfully recall the theme song from at least one television sitcom that was cancelled before his/her birth.
3. Will consciously muss and/or neglect to wash hair in order to achieve a 'look.' (male only)
2. Is of the opinion that 'Pet Sounds' is the greatest Beach Boys album (a comment generally follow by this statement): 'rivaling the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.'
1. Insists on calling movies 'film,' insists on calling concerts 'shows.'
Understand now? I know you must have gotten a glimpse of these people walking around amongst us commoners...either that or perhaps you ARE a Hipster, and in that case, I'd l be eternally grateful if you could offer up your expertise on the topic of Hipsterdom. I have quite a few questions about you and your, uh.... kind:
1. How do you become a Hipster? Does it take time or do you just slap on some pointy shoes and a silly-logoed shirt and you're in? Do you have to prove your knowledge of Hipster music and fashion before being accepted into the community? Is there a period of time where you are a "Hipster-in-training" (H.I.T.) Is there an initiation ceremony? A secret handshake? How does the transformation take place??!!!??!!
2. Do you ever run accross a wannabe Hipster? Someone who is always on the outskirts looking in. Someone who just hangs onto the coattails of the local neighborhood Hipsters. What makes this person not able to fit in with your people?? Do you concoct elaborate schemes so you can avoid having to hang out with this person? Do you you send him on Hipster errands, making him pick up hair pommade and stylish belts, but never really let him into your clan?
3. Do Hipster characteristics vary from neighborhood to neighborhood? For instance, in Fort Greene the other day I ran accross a group of Hipsters dining in an Indian restaurant. These Hipsters possessed traits that I had not seen before in my previous run-ins with Hipsters. For instance:
**They all positively reeked of Gucci rush. Is Gucci a Hipster favorite???
**Several of the Hipsters were in posession of those silly little scooters. The Razor ones. They had parked them in the restaurant, and they were blocking the way for other patrons.
**They all ordered their meals in the manner of a persnickety old man. (i.e...dressing on the side, no oil, tea without caffeine, omitting specific ingredients, etc. etc.)
** Two of the six Hipsters wore their headphones the entire time they were sitting with their friends. They would occasionaly take them off to interject something into the conversation, leading me to question whether or not they were actually listening to anything on the headphones, and were instead simply wearing them to look edgy and hip.
**Several of them had horrendous manners.
Please tell me, is this typical of all Hipsters or just Fort Greene Hipsters?
4. Do hipsters act hipster-ish all the time? Do they sleep in Hipster pajamas? Are they pouty and blase even in their sleep? Do they wake up in the morning spouting obscure musical references even before their morning coffee? Do they drink morning coffee, or is coffee not hip enough?
As you can see I have a lot of questions. Any information that anyone can give me will be most helpful.
