What's the deal with "preps"?

[Guest rttocs77]

Why does practically everyone here say some derivitive of "I hate preps" ? What exactly is it that you guys designate someone as a prep? I think it's riduculous that a lot of you say things like that. And isn't using that word just stereotyping them? Isn't sterotyping something everyone here fights against? I think it's pretty hypocritical of a lot of y'all.

So, what gives?

[Guest Crimson Spider]

I don't even know what a prep is. I'll tell you that now.

Yes, it is a stereotype. I don't know why anyone would. Sometimes what people call prepies are actually nice, and help people out, and aren't mean or stuck up or anything. 1 or 2 occasions, yeah. But every time?

My [u]Guess[/u] is that most prepies are dubbed as rich, whether they are or not. And it is very common for a rich person to be concieted.

Or people are just jealous.

[Guest Chris]

i say i hate preps a lot, but usually it's just as a joke. if you pair me up with the steriotypical prep, i won't get along with him due to our obvious differences, but i don't really hate them. i used to have a bunch of preppy friends, though none of them were 'true preps'. a true prep is the snotty rich kid who wears nothing but abocrombie, american eagle, and tommy. it's all in the attitude though, really. you can't really explain a prep, you just know one when you see one.

[Semjaza]

Irrational "hatred" cannot be explained anyway.

[KarmaOfChaos]

[color=deeppink]
Prep has become a common stereotype, just as goth/punk has. Everyone of course has their own variations of these stereotypes, but they all basically have the same concept. The 'typical prep' is a rather shallow-minded, egocentric and fashion-crazed person, sometimes a cheerleader, and usually 'popular' and at least some-what well known around the school.

Of course, anyone who buys pre-worn, put-the-holes-there-for-ya-already, shredded and used jeans for 300$ is automatically stupid in my opinion, prep or no.

I try not to put people into prep or goth or nerd or any such catagory so much, but it inadverntly happens, just because of how society is. It's not right, and not exusable. And it often stops very intresting people from ever even meeting. But, c'est la vie. The preconcieved stereotype is something that has existed since humans dared think beyond food and shelter. It is part of our imperfection. I greatly doubt it will ever be completly erased from humanity, but we can certainly change ourselves to not allow it to affect us and our decisions so much.

However rttocs7, I find it hypocritical of you to accuse us of stereotyping people, when you most likely do it yourself. And not everyone here says "I hate preps." Perhaps those you've encountered, but certainly not all.

-Karma

EDIT: So true, Semjaza. Oh, by the way, nice avatar. ^-~
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[Valen]

Lmao, nice avatar indeed!

As for Preps... here are what I classify as a prep:
1) As Karma said, the clothing that you can make for less and even make it look better, egocentrical, etc.
2) They think they're all hot, which they're not, but again, egocentrical.
3) They're too damn hyper in the morning! Every morning in Homeroom... (It's at 7:20am mind you) *in very high-pitched, cheery voice* "HELLO EVERYONE! WELCOME TO ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY AT GREACE KING! WEE! DON'T YOU JUST LOVE ME?! I'M SO BEAUTIFUL, I GET TO GRACE YOU ALL ALL DAY!"
4) Ambecrombie n fitch crap.
5) Lastly, most of those who listen to pop (not the little kids, they're okay...) and think they're going to marry Justin Timberlake and then flaunt around with everything about that certain pop star. Fan girl? Maybe... but this and #3, 4, and 1 combined make a prep in my book.

I mean not to be labeling anyone, or offend anyone who actually isn't a prep and listens to pop, etc., but that's just how I see it.

[Mitch]

[size=1]P.R.E.P. stands for [b][u]P[/b][/u]repubescent [b][u]R[/b][/u]ectal [b][u]E[/b][/u]motionary [b][u]P[/b][/u]sychosis. It involves a feeble understanding of the implications contained from ununderstanding of free thinking and its implications.

These people are banalties which are self-serving anals. They simply fluctuate with whatever seems right, conformists to labels which have no reason to be stapled and given.

They are usually ignorant, and have an obssession with the anus. They like its beauty. They look at it, not knowing that it is actually putrid and ugly.

Not knowing that it's actually society.[/size]

[Guest Crimson Spider]

I'm sorry, but all these stereotypes that you describe as preps... just plain aren't what I see. It seems like your describing EXTREAM generalizations.

I don't know if I said this here, but I've said it before: Not all generalizations are wrong, but most are.

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson]Did you just generalize generalizations?

Anyway, I think the stereotype for prep has bloated itself a bit too much over the past few years. Most of the people called "prep" now are just popular kids- maybe a bit preppy, but not the full, old meaning of it.

Honestly? I don't really hate the somewhat preppy or rare real preps. They can wear a bit on your nerves, but they are just another social order from yours- no reason to dislike them for that.

Stereotypes [sometimes, definately not all the time] can be there for a reason- the problem begins when you start judging people without taking time to learn about them first- lazily slapping them into a stereotype just because they seem to intially fit it. That is where it begins to be a 'bad' thing.

So it is not the stereotypes fault- it is peoples, lol.[/color]

[Chibi_Sango]

Not that it's any of my busness but most of the time people waste the word "prep" on people that they are jealouse of and make it seem like all people who are either popular or pretty are also just as mean and hatefull even before they get to know them you know like pre-judgeing. I have seen alot of people whoom I thought were going to be big stuck-up brats one of them would be Kenshin_K (We have known each other since 4th grade in elementary school) well the first time I saw her she was pretty so I immediately thought she was excuse the term but, a prep. I got to know her and now we are best freinds and I try not do do stupid things like that ever again.

But as you see most people do that and don't realize that if they put aside those type of things they could have a great freindsship.

[Justin]

I've recently informed recently that I'm a prep. So, whatever a prep is, apparantly, I am that.

I find that funny..because(at least as far as I've seen) this classification system seems to be based largely on music and what you do on the weekends. In those two contexts, I'm probably more socially non-complacent than a large majority of people.But who cares about that? I dress in vintage clothes, I'm a generally happy person, and I have a little shaggy hair-doo...be-friggin'-ware.

-Justin

[KarmaOfChaos]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Crimson Spider [/i]
[B]I'm sorry, but all these stereotypes that you describe as preps... just plain aren't what I see. It seems like your describing EXTREAM generalizations.

I don't know if I said this here, but I've said it before: Not all generalizations are wrong, but most are. [/B][/QUOTE]
[color=deeppink]
That's what a stereotype is. A generalization. That's usually why they're wrong. A prep is a stereotype. Pretty clear. o.O"

-Karma
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[Baron Samedi]

I fail to understand the fascination people have with stereotypes. They are generally misleading and lead you to have a misplaced idea of people you have never even met.

How bad is that?

People always think that someone different from them is somehow bad, or something. It is rubbish. Geeks can be nice people, cool kids can be nice, Goths can be nice.

I hate stereotypes, they are foolish and wrong. If people would learn to look past their noses, then they'd might discover something...

[b]People[/b] matter, not what they look like. Personality is more important than appearances. Get over yourselves.

I know that we sub-consciously organise people by some internal standards. Try to overcome the initial perceptions, and get to know the person.

As you have probably realised, I feel strongly about this.

[KarmaOfChaos]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Baron Samedi [/i]
[B]I fail to understand the fascination people have with stereotypes. They are generally misleading and lead you to have a misplaced idea of people you have never even met.

How bad is that?

People always think that someone different from them is somehow bad, or something. It is rubbish. Geeks can be nice people, cool kids can be nice, Goths can be nice.

I hate stereotypes, they are foolish and wrong. If people would learn to look past their noses, then they'd might discover something...

[b]People[/b] matter, not what they look like. Personality is more important than appearances. Get over yourselves.

I know that we sub-consciously organise people by some internal standards. Try to overcome the initial perceptions, and get to know the person.

As you have probably realised, I feel strongly about this. [/B][/QUOTE]
[color=deeppink]
Yea, amen to that. Sometimes it's hard to get over that first impression, which is often times so wrong. But because it is the first impression, its usually the one that's the strongest, as bad as that is. The first impression is the worst, and yet the one most often held to be true.

It's a person's job to look beyond the first impression. To see what's deeper, what's behind the designer t-shirt or the spiked dog collars.

-Karma
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[wiccansamurai]

I don't base wether I like a person or not on what stereotype they fit, I hate everyone! That said, I think its just a general term that people think of to label everyone with. People can't seem to go on without labels.

[Fall]

Whether stereo-types are total **** to people, or good for people, they're not goin' to go away. Theyre always going to be there. You're either in, or out. Not that it matters to the person that you are, it only gives others the "complete" image of you. Which is usually always wrong.

Preps around here, go by the name of "Boys" or "Fellas", as the girls in the groups aren't really taken into account with the name. Every one of them wear the expensive stuff when out of school. Not always in school. They've got the attitude, like it's nothing new, it's just grown into them. Either that, or they were bron with it.

The people who hate them, are the ones that aren't in the group. Which is probably the case nearly everywhere. I've got nothing against them, I've got mates that are in the groups, and some that aren't quite. Though I'm well known around the school, I'm not a "prep".

Basically, they're completely the opposite here, compared to the way it is as most people here are describing them.

[IQ2]

I can't and never say I hate all preps. A prep is a hard working youth who wears a certain type of clothing and does well in school. Many of them annoy me.

[outlawstar69]

While it may be true that there are actual "preps" that whet their sharp tounges against the self esteem of some of their "lower class" bretheren, I don't think that should count against ALL people who dress or look like them. Stereotypes are the basis or foundation of concepts like racism or elitism. It's not beneficial for any group to have any concepts such as these .. imbedded ... (I think that's a good fit, for the phrase) into their collective psyches.
It's not like we would know what group we fell into unless someone told us, because nobody fits all of the so calles "qualifications" for being in any group. (If we were all blind no one would care about skin color, for example.)

[Epid3mic]

Why are stereotypes so bad? I find them quite amusing. In fact, I am quite thankful for them. I mean, have any of you ever laughed at a racist joke? Just because you do, doesn't mean you are racist. You are laughing at a stereotype. Labeling in itself isn't bad. If being a prep is having money and shopping at Abercrombie-exactly what's so bad about that? I suppose the thing that is bad is when labels are used as insults. I usually don't call anyone a prep, but many people show preppie qualities. I would say shopping at any store in the mall (Yes, including Hot Topic, for some reason people think it's different than Abercrombie. I say, different clothes, same price.) is preppie. So yes, I have a preppie quality. I think many of the people who have a prejudice against "preps" are somewhat preppie themselves. Oops, just made a generalization :/

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson]Stereotypes have a basis. People just take them too far- labelling people without just cause. So, like anything else, when people abuse it/misuse it/take it too far it ends up turning into a negetive thing.

If you want to continue stereotyping stereotypes than be my guest. You'll just be another idiot waving the same flag that's been waved by so many other pseudo-intellectuals.[/color]

[wiccansamurai]

I don't fit any of the stereotypes. I kinda just wear comfortable clothes that make me feel good about myself. Though I favor a baggy pair of black pants, I'm neither goth or punk, because I'll also wear my red sweater. I'll wear what I want. I don't care what people end up labelling me as. Besides, it's so much more fun to be able to drift from different people.

[Transtic Nerve]

It's not a stereotype... it's a Fad.... just liek Metrosexual.... and boy bands, and pogs. It's a style, a fad....

Prep started with how peple were dressing... tucked in shirts, nice hair, etc etc etc.... Now apparently it's a mental thing or some crap... Whatever it is, it'll be gone in 5 years and you'll be "hating" something else.

[KarmaOfChaos]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i]
[B]It's not a stereotype... it's a Fad.... just liek Metrosexual.... and boy bands, and pogs. It's a style, a fad....

Prep started with how peple were dressing... tucked in shirts, nice hair, etc etc etc.... Now apparently it's a mental thing or some crap... Whatever it is, it'll be gone in 5 years and you'll be "hating" something else. [/B][/QUOTE]
[color=deeppink]
Well, sort of. I believe the term prep came from 'preparatory school' which was what some of the schools were called way back when. Because of the many 'rich kids' who went to these schools, students at preparatory schools came to be called preps, and it usually meant that there was a great deal of money in the family. Over the years, it evolved into what it means today. The term wasn't derogatory before, when it first came into use.

So I guess in that sense it really isn't a fad, because it didn't disappear, just changed and varied with the passage of time.

And I agree completly with DeathKnight. Stereotypes become a problem when they effect your judgement, and how people are treated. Unfortunatly, this is the extent many stereotypes are taken to, rather than a simple joke.

-Karma

EDIT: I was right, here it is in the dictionary:

n.
Informal. A preparatory school.
Chiefly British. The preparing of lessons; homework.
Informal. A preppie.
[b]To be enrolled in and attend a preparatory school.[/b]
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[Guest rttocs77]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by KarmaOfChaos [/i]
[B][color=deeppink]

Of course, anyone who buys pre-worn, put-the-holes-there-for-ya-already, shredded and used jeans for 300$ is automatically stupid in my opinion, prep or no.

[/color] [/B][/QUOTE]

What if they are Dolce and Gabanna distressed jeans? You are paying for the name and quality. My parents always taught my a European approach to buying clothes, which is to buy a few very very nice things in lieu of a bunch of crap.

So, I feel name brand (and/or expensive) clothing should not classify you as anything.

Also, anyone who still buys Abercrombie is a little behind in my opinion haha...I mean look at their stock, nobody is buying there anymore.

Another things is that if you just consider preps people who have nice things, have parents that have a lot of money, and do well in school, you just described the entire population (well not entire, there are a few exceptions) Exeter, Andover, Choate, Milton, Hotchkiss, St. Pauls and a slew of other schools. There is TONS of diversity there though. As a matter of fact, I think people who use 'prep' as a derrogitory term are just jealous.

[KarmaOfChaos]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by rttocs77 [/i]
[B]What if they are Dolce and Gabanna distressed jeans? You are paying for the name and quality. My parents always taught my a European approach to buying clothes, which is to buy a few very very nice things in lieu of a bunch of crap.

So, I feel name brand (and/or expensive) clothing should not classify you as anything.

Also, anyone who still buys Abercrombie is a little behind in my opinion haha...I mean look at their stock, nobody is buying there anymore.

Another things is that if you just consider preps people who have nice things, have parents that have a lot of money, and do well in school, you just described the entire population (well not entire, there are a few exceptions) Exeter, Andover, Choate, Milton, Hotchkiss, St. Pauls and a slew of other schools. There is TONS of diversity there though. As a matter of fact, I think people who use 'prep' as a derrogitory term are just jealous. [/B][/QUOTE]
[color=deeppink]
Okay, not sure what you mean by distressed jeans, (forgive me if this is common knowledge, I live under a rock.) but okay. What I am talking about in that quote is people who buy jeans and or other clothing that has holes in it, all the seams and edges purposely shredded, that basically is going to get torn apart in the wash, and paying 300$ or some ridiculous amount for it because it was 'in fashion.'

I have no problem with buying expensive clothing as long as it's [i]good[/i] clothing. I like to look good as much as the next person. But I don't believe in buying silly clothing that is way too done over, and placed at awe-inspiring prices. If I'm paying 70$ for a pair of pants, you better believe I want those pants to last a long time.

Spending a good amount of money on clothes is fine. Sometimes that's what it takes to get well-made clothes that you like. Just as long as you're not overdoing it for the sake of fashion.

-Karma
{PS: That was a bit off-topic...sorry. Had to defend what I said.}
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