I don't generally write or talk about something negative (at least not seriously), but some friends and I were discussing the topic a few weeks ago, and, after last Friday, I thought it to be blog worthy. But let me preface this by saying it's a pretty asshole thing to do to label, call names, and judge my fellow man. Yet here we go...
Friday was X-Bar night at Krobar. The general idea is to hire a bunch of hot girls to get half naked or body painted and have them dance, sell shots, or participate in other random activities (I felt bad for the one they made stay in two inches of pink water selling jello-shots). Advertising this inevitably attracts a lot of guys who, by just looking at them, you kind of think to yourself.... douchebag. And it reminded me of my friends' and mine conversation.
Two characteristics define a douchebag. The first is a general blindness toward reality. Rather than consciously choosing to disregard how others might feel, he seems oblivious to it entirely. The second characteristic is an overinflated sense of self-worth and/or entitlement. He goes after what he feels he deserves despite obvious personal flaws or attention to the environment. If not for the flaw of the first characteristic, this would be a great trait to have. But, with the first, his drive seems misdirected and scattered towards illusions and superficialities.
As such, he could follow fashion but have no style. He might have the haircut that looks like he puts his face in front of a leaf blower every morning (think My New Haircut Guy). He might be the one wearing a polo shirt and shorts, both of which aren't the right size for him. He could also have an assortment of tatoos, piercings, jewelry, or physical fitness but only to blindly follow a trend, not carefully chosen out of some sense of style. All of this, though, seems to be used as though he thinks it alone will interest and attract a girl. It defines who he is to himself.
The funniest of it on Friday was to watch them go up to the shot girls and dancers in groups to hit on them. The girl is paid to be nice to them (and they're good at pretending), which the guys mistake for actual interest, and they almost seemed like they were going to gang rape her right there. Then, later, one will walk up behind her with a grin on his face and grab her ass thinking it's a good thing. He doesn't seem to have the balls to do it when she might actually enjoy it. So, in that respect, the girl standing in the tub actually had some protection. haha.
Ultimately, though, in even acknowledging any of this, spending my time to write about it, I'm no better than any of those guys. To say anything different is to conjure some sense of identity that makes me feel superior to them, and it would be just as artificial of an attachment to "Who I am" as an Affliction t-shirt or the feigning interest a shot girl gives.
Who those guys really are lies beneath all their bullshit even if they can't see it themselves, who those girls are lies beneath their looks, lingerie, and some well timed giggles, just as who I am is something other than my third person analysis of some set of bullshit.
If we only pay attention to the surface, we really miss what's important; we put up barriers where we could be making a connection.
