The Indies and The Plastics. Many of today’s teenage subcultures are all about living your life in your own way.
The Indies
The name “indie” comes from the word “independent,” and that says it all, really. Of course, there’s indie rock – indies are into that kind of music in a big way – but if you’re a true indie, it means you don’t go where the crowd goes. You follow your own likes and preferences. What is strange, though, is that indies end up looking quite similar to each other. They like plain T-shirts, cardigans, skinny jeans and hats. Fringes are also popular. Indies love anything arty, from painting to photography and art-house cinema. You can find indies in art galleries, watching bands in tiny clubs or hanging out in cafés having deep conversations about life.
The Plastics
All around the UK there are teenage girls that identify themselves as“Plastics”. The name comes from the 2004 Paramount Pictures film Mean Girls and applies to girls that care about their appearance – a lot. Before they leave the house, Plastics put on lots of jewellery and make-up. They always wear fashionable clothes and high heels, but never jeans or trainers. Plastics listen to pop music like Britney Spears and Beyoncé and they mostly enjoy spending time with their friends. The most important things for Plastics are friendship, make-up and fashion. And their favourite colour? Pink, of course!
1 appear to look the same as each other?
2 didn’t exist before a major movie came out?
3 like to have a special kind of haircut?
4 always wear the latest popular clothes?
5 enjoy learning about art and music?
6 usually just to hang out with their friends?...
7 don’t wear jeans ? …
1 appear to look the same as each other? Indies
2 didn’t exist before a major movie came out? Plastics
3 like to have a special kind of haircut? Not mentioned
4 always wear the latest popular clothes? Plastics
5 enjoy learning about art and music? Indies
6 usually just to hang out with their friends?...Plastics
7 don’t wear jeans ? …Plastics