Real Hipsters Don't Think They're Hip

I am a master in the art of procrastination. I have been at the library for no less than two hours and all I've gotten done is some administrative work for the group I co-chair and I copied approximately fifteen lines of notes. I also managed to squeeze in a turkey and cheese sandwhich from Memorial Union, a diet 7UP, a dark chocolate raspberry mocha Frappachino (probably one of the most specific drinks I've ever consumed in my life...), and a piece of carrot cake (which was more amazing than I could every relay to anyone).

Anyway, during my procrastination process, I managed to listen to the song Beverly Hills by Weezer, a song I haven't heard since I was 16. I always liked this song (partially because I love Weezer in general, partially because the beat is decent), but I don't think I realized the irony of the song until now.

I know, I know, it's so obvious. But to a 16 year old who is living in Mormon-ville, Utah surrounded by a lot of people who aren't, shall we say, musically inclined (or, rather, inclined towards anything at all...), I wasn't "on the ball." But this song is nothing short of hilarious!

I was talking to my friend the other day about the "hipsters" that go to my school. They literally are the epitomy of this song. Well, in a reverse way, I suppose. They grew up rich, had everything handed to them on a silver plate, and now want to pretend that they've worked really hard to get to where they are. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure they're working hard now, but they never had to before. They buy old, torn, beat up things. They claim this gives their wardrobe character. Character? Character is being able to tell me exactly where each tear came from, what caused the discolouration, and what the obscure writing scribbled on the back of the shirt means. Character is giving me all the stories behind how the shirt got that way. Their story? I thought it was "hip." Hip? HIP?!

This is why I get annoyed with the "hipsters." Real hipsters don't think they're hip. It's a way of life. It's the person next to you on the subway going down to Houston or Alphabet city. It's someone who lives in a loft with 3 other people and they all just sleep on mattresses on the floor. It's someone who wears jeans with holes and shirts with random bleach stains out of necessity, not as a fashion statement.

Beverly Hills talks about someone who wishes he were famous and hung out with celebrities, but the new "fad" is to be poor. What gives? Why can't everyone just BE? I don't think I'll ever understand people who want to be so different than who they are naturally. If someone wrote a version of Beverly Hills but changed the words to make it from the point of view of a wanna-be hipster, they would become my hero of the week, maybe even the month. Until that song is made, I will be subjected to rich brats walking around thinking they own the streets while wearing $100 shirts that look like they were bought off the back of a homeless bum.