Friend still believes in "chavs"?

[waytoooldforthisshite]

Had a funny (well, slightly depressing) conversation today. my friend came round all flustered, telling me that she'd been "harassed by chavs" outside the shop. One was some teenager who asked for her number 🙄

Tried to explain that "chavs" aren't even real, it's a tabloid invented stereotype/myth from the early 2000s that was basically used to demonise working class people. But she just went on about it like she was quoting The Sun from 2004. I ended up showing her this article. She's 39.... and I expected her to know a bit better but what can ya do eh?

Just feels so outdated now. You don't really hear anyone say "chav" anymore (thankfully), and it's weird how those old class-based stereotypes still linger. I honestly felt like I'd timetravelled back to the Little Britain era 😂

Anyone else still know people who talk like that?

Sorry but it sounds like you’re really looking at this from a completely different world that can’t relate to the normal one. Using the Cambridge university website for such a common phrase is not really required.

chavs exist. People still use the word. It’s not a slur but I wouldn’t like to be called one - whilst fully admitting that I absolutely used to dress like one and sometimes still look like one.

People? You see working class lads in sportswear the correct term is people. They aren't the mythological "chavs" in the same way a big fish in Loch Ness is just a normal fish and not the famous Loch Ness Monster.

The articles I posted would disagree.

A young person of a type characterised by coarse and brash behaviour (with connotations of low social status). Not necessarily working class.

Do you call working class people 'gammon' if they voted for Brexit?

Normal working class lads who dress in a very popular way (sportswear) get called "chavs" but chavs are a myth (just like Nessie is a myth). Some fishermen who believe in Nessie see a fish in Loch Ness and conclude it must be Nessie.

What you call "chavs" aren't "chavs" they're just normal working class people. Dressing in sportswear is mainstream fashion

As it's ever been. I sometimes use the term über chav when referring to Victoria Beckham, for example.

What a lovely friend you are. Your mate was flustered and harassed and you took the opportunity to scold her for not using Guardian-sanctioned language.

Lots around here.

Dressing in sportswear is not the only thing makes a chav.

I supported her, but I also pointed out it's not a nice thing to perpetuate what is classist propaganda that hurt a lot of people.

I don't get how you can unilaterally declare that a word 'no longer exists'.

Plenty of posters here are still using it, therefore, indisputably, it does.

They aren't fairies or Santa Claus. You don't have to believe in them in order for them to exist. I come across them in my local town every day.

The word exists. The word "Bigfoot" also exists. The thing those words refer to doesn't actually exist and was made up.

OP what do YOU call these people? Intimidating groups of teenagers harassing people peacefully going about their day? Or are you denying your friend had that experience at all? Like others I'm more surprised that you care more about terminology than the horrible behaviour in question. Perhaps it was your teens exhibiting that behaviour and you're simply trying to pass the blame on 🤷‍♀️

That’s not my interpretation of a chav.
I think of a chav as someone who has no class.

As in, rude, obnoxious, in a tracksuit, sleeveless t shirt and a chunky chain.

The point you are making is null and void.

There are chavs who happen to be working class.

Then perhaps you would like to write to Owen Jones then with proof that chavs are real.

Blimey. Bet she’ll be rushing round again soon. Don’t you like her much ?

back in the 90s it would have been fans (or members) of Happy Mondays and certainly Oasis. The fake Burberry hats, Fila trackies etc. that was the look/fashions. But you'll always find A young person of a type characterised by coarse and brash behaviour (with connotations of low social status). Not necessarily working class somewhere in every town/city.

While I agree "chav" is derogatory

I do wonder why you were not concerned about your friend feeling threatened in public and apparently (as you have not commented on this from other questions asked) more interested in her word choice.

Chav does not equal working class. Look it up. Its even in the oxford dictionary

“Road men”?

Chav where I am is still used. It doesn’t just mean working class - nor does it refer solely to person claiming benefits. It’s a particular look and lifestyle. Lots of Soverign rings, gold chains, fake Burberry caps, fake Chanel bedding and cushions everywhere, kids kitted out head to toe in fake D&G gear, babies with several ear piercings, loads and loads of kids, , loud and aggressive, never worked, men in trackies 24/7 (not “sportswear” as no sport is ever done), men in the family likely to have kids by several different women and barely see any of them. You may call them something else these days but to say these people don’t exist is just incorrect. In the same way that people laugh and joke about “toffs” and “posho’s”. Yes it’s snobby… but they exist.

This is why I love MN, sometimes a post appears with a batshit statement but the OP hunkers down on their opinion and will just repeat the same thing again and again despite it not making sense!!
Pure Saturday afternoon entertainment 😂

I don’t think the op is playing with a full deck. Either not a genuine poster or there’s a kangaroo loose in the top paddock. The weird references to Nessie makes me think her keyboard has been smoking.

Do you have children op? A partner?