to ask what a chav is?

[tallulahxhunny]

Who/what are chavs?

They are very popular anyway as everyone seems to be one and everyone talks about them

Surely though, FantasticDay, you're hardly comparing like for like!

I couldn't comment on 'poshandbecks' (which I think is why they are called 'chavvy' - cos posh she aint!) because I've never seen any images of it but surely Elton John's wedding was flamboyant and camp. (although never seen any images of that either). What back ground does EJ come from then? Don't know that either!

Praps I'll just shut up now!

Hi itis. I think I am though! They were both fantastically flamboyant and camp. But my point is behaviour by (small minority of) wc people which people rightly (bullying, loud music) or wrongly (imo - flash weddings, bling) disapprove of is seen as representative of their class, i.e. 'chavvy', whereas similar behaviour (e.g. lived next to some extremely thoughtless undergrads at redbrick uni who played loud music at 2am and refused to turn it off) is not...

(BTW, not having a go at Sir Elton who I think is fab - background not fantastically privileged or anything, but grammar school and Royal College of Music, so probably more 'mc' than the Beckhams)

Whole swathes of public schoolboys used to spend their holidays not far from where I lived, they were notorious for smashing up their accommodation, being rude, breaking windows in restaurants and being loud, drunk and obnoxious. People hated it, especially the fact that they thought that any/all damage and insult could be paid off, presumably because the actual feelings of normal people don't matter.

Funnily enough never heard them called "chavvy" though, whereas if their parents had been working in the Co-op rather than Coutts they would have been.

I hate this word, it's just another way of putting down "lower class" people now that we're not supposed to mention class any more. Being an obnoxious twat is being an obnoxious twat, no need to associate that behaviour with being poor/unemployed/wearing particular clothes.

Elephants - well said!

Have a look at Owen Jones' book... (I know I keep going on about it, but it looks really good.)

And thanks poster who pointed it OJ book out - can't find your post now as should be working not on MN...

You're Owen Jones, aren't you? :o

... knew you'd say that... hoped you'd say that... wish i'd written that book...

Elephants well when you put it like that....!

I suppose I just don't associate it with social class/money and much more to do with behaviour/conduct/attitude/interests...(?)

Where I live is one of the places listed on the Chavtowns website. It did amuse me. Whilst there is there are also some incredibly wealthy people 'old money' and the 'nouveux riche'. I think most people here would fall off their chaise longues if they knew!

To me, chav is more to do with clothing (designer track suits and big cheap gold coloured jewellery) and attitude (unlikely to work or want to work)

There's nothing wrong with being working class or poor. Chav is totally different. I'd never really thought about where the word came from. If it does stand for "Council house........" that's offensive. I didn't know that.

Why do people look down on chavs openly, but just snigger a bit at a posh accent or bright polo shirts with the collar up? Genuine question, not being flippant. I would guess it's because people feel that their taxes are supporting chavs on benefits that they feel they have some right to comment. People may feel resentful that their taxes are paying for someone to lounge around all day with a bottle of Buckfast. On the other hand, when I look at sloaney types, I don't really mind what they spend their money on, as I'm not paying for it

Redwine I think it's probably because the people doing the 'sneering' would actually quite like to associate themselves with those with the posh accents and bright polo shirts with the collars up, but want to distance themselves completely from those with the tracksuits and huge earrings. For fear the former would associate them with the latter.

NOt paying for it? NOt paying for it?????
Who's responsible for economic meltdown we're all mired in now?
Bunch of wet-behind-the-ears gits in polo shirts (and on polo ponies, too, probably)... not that I'm being simplistic and embittered or anything, but...

I dont think chavs know that are chavs though (unlike a punk/goth/Emo- who would)

sorry typo - i meant to say 'i don't think they know that THEY are chavs'

shit- maybe i'm one????? lol

To me, 'chav' is a set of behaviours. It's being selfish, entitled, rude, irresponsible etc. I would consider someone a chav based on their actions and attitudes. It has fuck all to do with their postcode/ way of dress.

Which, when you think about it, makes sense in the gypsy sense of 'chavi'. Chavs do behave like giant, PITA toddlers.

Not quite with you, Chickens ...
Sorry if I'm being a bit slow, here, but could you explain, please?

god up here we have chavs, neds and junkies.

neds are in their trackie bottoms

chavs are in expensive usually nicked or knock off somehow full trackies plus have right cocky attitudes, hardly work if at all and expect everyone to think they're gods
girl chavs have their clothes falling off tthem, too much jewellery and a love of light denim and trashy kids names

junkies are in clothes nicked out the recycling bins and are usually rattling

all 3 are asvoided by me, tho to be fair i do know some chav girls who are ok - ish just very bloody opinionated and orange!!

It's a term used primarily by upper working class/petit bourgeois types with limited imaginations to put down pretty much anyone and anything they deem to be beneath them.

You can work out your level of chaviness by doing this test:

are you a chav?

I'm 35% chav.

Explain what?

OMG I'm 9% chav!

What did it for you TotemPole?

I think it was the pot noodle and toilet for me!