I'm annoyed at all the freaking stereotypes in fanfiction. And in real life high school, for that matter.
A girl is automatically preppy because she dresses nice, and it doesn't matter what her personality is like, or what she enjoys doing, because now she's so obviously bitchy, shallow, vain, and her life revolves around gossip, clothes and boys. And any guy who's good at sports is supposedly homophobic, bad in school, and a bully (actually, in my school, most of the 'jocks' were at the top of the class). And so on it goes: only emos get depressed, skids are all obnoxious smokers and idiots, white men can't jump, yadda yadda yadda.
PEOPLE! THESE IDEAS EXIST ONLY IN YOUR HEADS! I have yet to meet one human being who has perfectly matched any one of these stereotypes. Sure, people can be similar, but not a one of them are the same. I am so sick of these stories saying "Sora is a goth and Riku is a playa. How can they eva find twu luv?" Easy. THEY'RE BOTH HUMAN BEINGS, DAMMIT!!
(Sorry for the mad caplock abuse. This is a topic full of rage for me)
"And any guy who's good at sports is supposedly homophobic, bad in school, and a bully (actually, in my school, most of the 'jocks' were at the top of the class)."
My brother is good at some sports (well, he was in the rugby team at one of his schools and he's in his current school's fencing team - he also used to be in rowing competitions) and he isn't homophobic. Also, if he was stupid, he wouldn't have got into the school he's currently attending at the moment.
Why are people so blind to the facts? There are heaps upon heaps of people who don't fit in with any stereotype, so why is it so difficult to imagine that someone wouldn't? Your brother is the perfect example of not fitting the mold of any one of his qualities.
You are completely lucky you are yet to meet one. D:
This kind of topic is the thing that blows me off the most, mostly because I have to deal with it everyday. Many of my classmates actually live up to their stereotypes. If someone calls you preppy, it's for the reason of being from a rich family and because you dress up clean cut, with nice form fitting polos and a pair of nice jeans and a myspace profile with a layout of Abercrombie and Fitch. And then they are boy obsessed, and gossip addicted, talking behind each others backs and getting not-so amazing grades on their reports cards. Can't forget the superficiality, of course.
When I say living up to their stereotypes, I mean really living up to their stereotypes. Supposedly the only reason people shop at Hot Topic is because they're emo/goth/punk, not because they like the merchandise.
Now I really don't want to start on the other stereotypes. >_>
It was funny. My school was really tiny, so everyone (and I mean from all walks of teenagerhood) hung out together. I'd have the good, innocent Catholic schoolgirl on my right and the gothic punk atheist all in black on my left, and we'd be talking and luaghing and having a merry old time.
I usually find that people only fit stereotypes when you don't know them that well. The hottest girl in my school really seemed to fit the bill from a distance (particularly your example of preppy), and while she was boy crazy and a little superficial, she was also in the drama club, a Tim Burton fanatic, top of her class, best friends with a laid back tomboy, and she used a goobery pink Cinderella binder for school (which I secretly want to steal). I even had a lot in common with that nasty girl who bullied me in eight grade (that doesn't mean we get along, though).
That's another thing that annoys me. People who deliberately aim to be a certain stereotype. For the love of God, why? Either you like something, or you don't. Don't let some image dictate what you do, no matter what that image may be.
A girl is automatically preppy because she dresses nice, and it doesn't matter what her personality is like, or what she enjoys doing, because now she's so obviously bitchy, shallow, vain, and her life revolves around gossip, clothes and boys. And any guy who's good at sports is supposedly homophobic, bad in school, and a bully (actually, in my school, most of the 'jocks' were at the top of the class). And so on it goes: only emos get depressed, skids are all obnoxious smokers and idiots, white men can't jump, yadda yadda yadda.
PEOPLE! THESE IDEAS EXIST ONLY IN YOUR HEADS! I have yet to meet one human being who has perfectly matched any one of these stereotypes. Sure, people can be similar, but not a one of them are the same. I am so sick of these stories saying "Sora is a goth and Riku is a playa. How can they eva find twu luv?" Easy. THEY'RE BOTH HUMAN BEINGS, DAMMIT!!
(Sorry for the mad caplock abuse. This is a topic full of rage for me)
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My brother is good at some sports (well, he was in the rugby team at one of his schools and he's in his current school's fencing team - he also used to be in rowing competitions) and he isn't homophobic. Also, if he was stupid, he wouldn't have got into the school he's currently attending at the moment.
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Why are people so blind to the facts? There are heaps upon heaps of people who don't fit in with any stereotype, so why is it so difficult to imagine that someone wouldn't? Your brother is the perfect example of not fitting the mold of any one of his qualities.
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This kind of topic is the thing that blows me off the most, mostly because I have to deal with it everyday. Many of my classmates actually live up to their stereotypes. If someone calls you preppy, it's for the reason of being from a rich family and because you dress up clean cut, with nice form fitting polos and a pair of nice jeans and a myspace profile with a layout of Abercrombie and Fitch. And then they are boy obsessed, and gossip addicted, talking behind each others backs and getting not-so amazing grades on their reports cards. Can't forget the superficiality, of course.
When I say living up to their stereotypes, I mean really living up to their stereotypes. Supposedly the only reason people shop at Hot Topic is because they're emo/goth/punk, not because they like the merchandise.
Now I really don't want to start on the other stereotypes. >_>
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I usually find that people only fit stereotypes when you don't know them that well. The hottest girl in my school really seemed to fit the bill from a distance (particularly your example of preppy), and while she was boy crazy and a little superficial, she was also in the drama club, a Tim Burton fanatic, top of her class, best friends with a laid back tomboy, and she used a goobery pink Cinderella binder for school (which I secretly want to steal). I even had a lot in common with that nasty girl who bullied me in eight grade (that doesn't mean we get along, though).
That's another thing that annoys me. People who deliberately aim to be a certain stereotype. For the love of God, why? Either you like something, or you don't. Don't let some image dictate what you do, no matter what that image may be.
(And major word. You bring up some good points.)
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You said it so well. I can't think of a single person who, after I got to know them better, still fit their stereotype perfectly.
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Mmm...Jesus stick...
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