On Becoming a Yuppie

20Nov/0620

american psycho Recently, an acquaintance left a comment on an old post here on The Churning branding me a yuppie. In fact, his exact words were "yuppie scum." I get the reference. Retro punk is cool I guess. But it does seem kind of dated, like saying "keep on truckin" or "tune in, turn on, and drop out."

The term "yuppie" is a callback to an early 80's insult. Initially, the word brought with it connotations of polo matches, country clubs, and expensive German cars. It quickly expanded to include those within its true definition - as a nickname for Young Urban Professional. Any city dweller in his or her 20's and 30's with a little extra money to throw around ended up sliding face first into the yuppie category. I suppose that's where I am now, and because of that I don't take umbrage.

As a kid, I thought yuppies really were scum. I saw stereotypes of these former frat boys in movies like Bachelor Party (Tom Hanks' nemesis) or One Crazy Summer (John Cusack's nemesis) and bought into the hype. Those characters, of course, were complete assholes. The low-income downtrodden good guy is somehow expected to compete with a complete douchebag who was lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family. (That lucky douchbag later became a serial killer in American Psycho.)

I grew up as an outsider. I didn't have many friends, and the small group of friends I did have understood the value of a mohawk or dreadlocks. They realized the importance of a major skateboarding injury. They knew that playing punk rock in front of a crowd filled with moshing 20-somethings was a pretty big achievement for a group of 15-year-olds. So inevitably, I felt far removed from the things that defined yuppiedom.

Nowadays things are a bit different. I still hate radio pop. I still skate and fall frequently. I still play indie rock. But I was also lucky enough to survive college (I was never in a frat). I've gotten married, and bought a house in the city. And after years of struggle, I finally have a job that doesn't completely suck. And you know what? I don't feel guilty. Fuck it.

I'm not saying that I'm trying to reclaim the term yuppie. I'm not proud and I'm not looking for a label. But if you think I'm a yuppie, I'm not going to fight it. I am relatively young. I do live in the city. And I do have a job. Young Urban Professional? Perhaps.

So why the fuck am I writing this? Why do I care? Truth is - I don't really know. Maybe it's because I don't tend to hang out with yuppies. My friends are the same types of people I've always hung out with. People with interests similar to mine - like live music and dive bars. People who tend to "hate yuppies."

If my friends think I'm a yuppie, then they obviously accept it for what it is. They could find other friends if they wanted to. Seems to me I somehow escaped the label in their eyes. So I guess it bothers me when an acquaintance makes an assumption about me. Because I suspect I'm not what he thinks I am.

You can read the actual exchange here if you're interested.

Tagged as: college, movies, music, the churning Leave a comment

Comments (20) Trackbacks (1) ( subscribe to comments on this post )

MacBros
November 20th, 2006 - 21:08

I’m jealous. You Yuppie Scum!
mojotek
November 20th, 2006 - 22:58

Uhhh… he/she lost me at “gentrification”…

Maybe I should quit paying for high-priced hookers and country club memberships with my disposable income so I would actually have time to find out what gentrification means.
randi
November 21st, 2006 - 01:36

JJ, I think you’re dope and labels are for douches. Anyone trying to prove they’re punk rock by dissing the fact that you have a home, a wife and a job is a complete tool.
mojotek
November 21st, 2006 - 11:07

I like the Patrick Bateman picture you added. Quite appropriate.
sarah
November 21st, 2006 - 12:14

i think you’re in a great place–you have the best of both worlds i think. the money and security of the yuppies and the attitude and mindset of the alterna crew.
Your Nads
November 21st, 2006 - 14:23

Dude,

I don’t give a fuck if you are a yuppie. Just means better soap for me and my other pal down here. Also, can you give us a fucking trim? Shit is getting thick, and I think it’s trying to choke us out while you sleep.

Thanks.

- Your Nads
BeckEye
November 21st, 2006 - 14:31

Hey, isn’t it time for a latte?
the soviet
November 21st, 2006 - 16:52

personally, that picture of yuppy scum is yummy yuppy scum.
Ev
November 21st, 2006 - 20:07

Let’s clear something up right now.

I don’t think you’re a yuppie. I think you’re a little “metro-sexual”, but for the most part, a pretty decent all around guy.

The nicest fucking dude I know. Seriously, Jesus would be jealous of his cheek turning.

I also think that people who classify others by archetypes from high school are seriously stunted.

The big reveal of life is that none of the things you learned as a kid/teenager apply to life. Part of being a mature adult and not a complete fucking too, is learning your place in the world and the realization that the only thing that is important and meaningful in your life are your bonds with friends. Family has to love you, friends choose to.

So, JJ, you know I got your back, Jack.
Your Nads
November 21st, 2006 - 22:41

Fuck yea, EV summed it up nicely. Friends are where it’s at, who gives a fuck what some tool who knew you in high school said. Keep on rocking bitches! And I’m serious about the trim…
JJ
November 22nd, 2006 - 10:49

MacBros:
Jealousy is one of the key character attributes of yuppies. Maybe you’re becoming a yuppie too…

mojotek:
Gentrification has become a dirty word in Philly. But the funny thing is, it’s perfectly appropriate in this case. From Wiki:

Gentrification, or more specifically urban gentrification, is a process in which low-cost, physically deteriorated neighborhoods experience physical renovation and an increase in property values, along with an influx of wealthier residents who typically replace the prior residents. The process often returns decaying parts of a city to their original function as middle-class, economically viable neighborhoods; however, it often forces low-income residents to move due to the increase in property values and rental payments that usually accompianies such gentrification.

randi:
Thanks Randi. I’ve always wanted to be dope.

mojotek:
One of the best movies ever! “Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?”
After I wrothe this post, I thought of another great movie example of a yuppie – Edward Norton in the opening scenes of Fight Club.

sarah:
Thank you. I do feel lucky. And I’m happy to know that at least my friends know what I’m all about.

My Nads:
This comment reminds me of one of the opening scenes from American Psycho:

I begin with a water-activated gel cleanser, then a honey-almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Vidal Sasson shampoo is especially good at getting rid of the coating of dried perspiration, salts, oils, airborne pollutants and dirt that can weigh hair down and flatten it to the scalp, making you look older. The conditioner is also good.

And I know you’re not really my nads. My nads would be well aware that they are bald.

BeckEye:
Yes yes. Quite right. Sounds lovely.

the soviet:
I’m hetero and even I know that’s true.

Ev:
Wow. Emo-Ev is back! Should we start making out now?

Just kidding. Everything you said is true. Friends are extremely important to me. I just wish I didn’t get hung up on what strangers and/or acquaintances think of me.

My Nads:
Dude – this is totally unrelated, but we’ve got to chat, man. I’ll email you my number. Some of the old gang from high school magically appeared to me online through a string of emails. I’ve gotta give you the updates.
Martha
November 22nd, 2006 - 12:39

To all who frequent this blog: It’s true, he is the nicest, most caring person you could ever imagine meeting. Hey JJ, can I be your friend, even though I’m your Ma? Looking forward to your show tonight!
juicya
November 22nd, 2006 - 13:31

As I see it, I cant be a yuppie because in my mind Ill never be ‘professional’. Im too much of a slacker scumbag for that. And yes, Im a lawyer who drives a VW Jetta and enjoys lattes…
Diesel
November 22nd, 2006 - 14:54

American Psycho is great.

When I was in college I lived in an old house with 5 other guys, and one weekend we had this killer party with my roommate’s brother’s band playing in the basement. For some stupid reason (impressing a girl) I wore a tie to this party. When the band saw me they started improvising a song called “Die Yuppie Scum.” Apparently they didn’t realize it was my house they were playing in.

Oh, and the tie worked, because that girl is my wife now.
Diane
November 23rd, 2006 - 08:19

Peachy keen post JJ.
JJ
November 23rd, 2006 - 12:00

Martha:
Of course you’re my friend, silly goose. Thanks for coming up to Philly to see us!

juicya:
Yeah. You’re totally a yuppie.

Diesel:
Girls always fall for the faux-yuppie tie routine.

Diane:
Yes yes… indeed.
mojotek
November 25th, 2006 - 12:50

Dude, I’ve totally got to meet your nads. They sound like helluh cool guys to chill with.

Oh, and in the famous words of Patrick Bateman, “I’ve got to return some video tapes.”
Leana
May 6th, 2007 - 04:58

If you arn’t concerned why are you asking for our acceptance by proclaiming it online?
Either way work it out for yourself, because if you let other people they will call you anything.
JJ
May 6th, 2007 - 10:04

Obviously I care. And the fact that I run a blog proves that I’m an attention whore who craves acceptance.
Bubba
October 22nd, 2009 - 21:22

As a hunter, gun owner, fisherman and general sportsman I don’t have a problem if you people mind your own business but Keep Your F’n noses out of mine.. Don’t really care about all your fine homes and pretty cars and stuck up BS… Just stay the F out of my way!!!