OK I have a rant today. I am so beyond sick of the terms “basic” and “basic bitch.” Urban Dictionary describes a “basic bitch” as this:
This is that white suburban girl whose prideful of laying her ass around all day and letting the genetics prevent her from being morbidly obese, or not. She takes pictures of everything, and when the miracle occurs that she leaves the house she will take pictures and snapchats of the endeavor to make sure the world knows. These journeys will include trips to Starbucks, chipotle or other appropriately ‘basic’ locations. She is jobless, and one wonders what exactly she does to kill so much time, but in all likelihood, you don’t want to know.
That ‘basic bitch’ just took a picture of her Vanilla Bean with two pumps of raspberry at Starbucks, again.
OK so we are basic because we like yoga pants, Starbucks, Fall etc. But if all guys like the same stuff and act like a-holes explain to me what they are? Normal? Just guys being guys? It is just like if a girl sleeps around she is considered a slut but a guy gets a bunch of high fives. I hate double standards and I hate the jackass who came up with this one.
My argument with the above definition is that I indeed have a job, I am not lazy, I workout everyday, while I may Instagram the crap out of my coffee why does it matter and why is that bad? I do not like Chipotle and yes I take selfies. WHO GIVES A CRAP? Why is it bad for a girl to do these things. If I walk down the street in my yoga pants, taking a selfie and get some fro yo why does anyone care?
You are probably at this point asking yourself “What is the point of this post?” Nothing. I am being ranty and it’s been on my mind for a while and I’m sick of being called basic by people who don’t know anything about me.
If you like Starbucks, yoga pants and other “basic” things good for you. I do too and I don’t care if I am just one of the 5 million people who Instagrammed their coffee this weekend or got excited to bust out my ugg boots.
I am not basic, I am just a normal woman in the world who does normal things. This isn’t bad. I hope no one makes you feel like if you do these things there is something wrong with it.
What are your thoughts?
Totally agree! The whole Basic thing has gotten out of hand.
I never understood how terms like that became widely used. Thank you for saying what some of us may have been thinking but didn’t want to say (for whatever reason).
I agree and I am pretty basic myself. Minus the no job and great non-fattening genetics. I really hate that term and just wish it would GO AWAY!!! Great post!!
When the word ‘basic’ is still frequently used in one’s vocabulary, it’s time to question their maturity. Basic is pretty basic. Thanks for this post. Very timely.
I wrote a post on being basic a few weeks ago, but it was on how I’m basic. I’ve just decided to embrace the term in a way of joking about it/ making fun of it. I don’t have a job, but I’m a full time student. I love Starbucks, Chipotle, and Instagram. But I also love to listen to TED Talks, read thought provoking literature, and write poetry. I think we are so much more than being basic. We are ladies who love to enjoy life. Why do we even have to label each other at all? We like to stick people in boxes.
I completely agree. Sometimes I even hear women calling other women basic bitches. I for one would be classified as basic, I guess. But I am happy, I love my life, and I take photos of things that make me happy, why do some people get so bent out of shape about it and feel the need to label people? Sigh.
xx
Jenny
http://www.mishmoshmakeup.com
Thank you Neely. Some people have nothing better to do than to make up meanings for people when it’s really none of their business (Ex. Basic and THOT). That stuff is garbage to me and why people waste their time rummaging through other people’s lives for no reason is beyond me. Call me basic if you want to, but that doesn’t change anything about me.
Thank you for posting this! This whole “basic” thing has just gotten ridiculous. Yes, I wear yoga pants with Uggs. Yes, I take selfies and pictures of my Starbucks drink. BUT I also get up every day and go to a full-time job a contribute to society.
Oh WoW!!! I didn’t know whites used this term too!!!! I thought it was ‘Black Thing’!!!! Oh well, guess I’m a BBB…Black Basic Bitch…bc I LIVE in jeans, leggings, and sweats outside of fashion blog posts!!!
I have come to a point in my life where I pretty much do not care what others think of me. I of course would like people to think I am a nice and generous person and that I leave them with a feeling of happiness but if you have a bad opinion of me or you think I am ‘basic’ I do not care. Most of those people who think like that… their points aren’t validated. So I have too many other positive things in my life to focus on and too many other people that enrich my life to let those idiots bring me down.
boo yah
If being “Basic” means loving the Fall, Pumpkin Spice, Red Cups and Chipotle … then I am a damn proud Basic Bitch. Seriously, who cares? I like what I like and if that makes me “Basic” then so be it!
I swear, I cannot keep up anymore with these terms. My students just told me what “bae” meant, and I just heard someone use “THOT”. Can we just say what we mean? Oy!
Amen sister! This was an awesome post 🙂
http://neatly-packaged.com/
I’m totally good with being basic if being basic means liking all the stuff I like. I think it’s awesome so I’m good.
I may be one of the very few who think this way, but I never viewed “basic” as being an insult or a bad thing. Really, when you think about it, who DOESN’T do these things!? I just view “being basic” as more of a jokingly way of saying hey look, I’m at Starbucks again, nothing new here! And of course there’s nothing wrong with that, because who doesn’t love Starbucks!?
LOL! I equate “Basic” with boring and forgettable in terms of looks. We all have basic moments in someone’s eyes I’m sure.
YES! I’m so tired of this basic crap. It’s like when people shame others for enjoying anything. I heart my coffee and instagram. I’m also intelligent, educated, ambitious, and caring. Labels are for the birds.
Couldn’t agree more! Just because someone likes these things (starbucks, sweater weather, etc.) doesn’t mean they’re “basic”. They just like what they like!
Love it and agree! I love basic. Living your life and enjoying every moment, including your special Starbucks drink and a selfie, is a step in living in the beautiful moment!
Well I guess I’m a Basic B**tch because minus the ugg boots and non-fattening jeans I’m a fan of all of this things. And I love you Basic B or not! Can’t wait to see your face!
I love this post. Such a good reminder to just do what you love no matter a what.
I never even thought that it was a double standard, but you are so right! I get that the whole fall-pumpkin spice thing has gotten a little out of control, but who cares if us girls like PSLs? And who cares if I wear brown boots, jean shirt, and black pants? I bet if I walked down the street, I would find a TON of guys wearing the exact same outfit. But, whatever. I’d rather be basic and do my thing then pretend to be…a hipster? I don’t even know what the opposite of basic is! So dumb.
I love taking selfies in my yoga pants and the food i’m about to eat – love your post! preach! xoox
I agree completely! I went on a crazy rant not too long ago about this. I think I scared my husband. I just hate that women are being torn down for enjoying some of life’s simple pleasures.
I never heard of it before but it sounds mean. So the haters and jealous types keep on hating, we will be laughing because, we are proud to be basic. Keep those coffee photos, sweats and couch days coming~! Luv Ya
I had no idea what “basic” was until like last week. lol. I just don’t get it. I mean, I will totally poke fun at myself for being stereotypical at times (HASHTAG PSL FALL YALL) but “basic”? What???
I agree with you and am right there with you! I love my coffee and yoga pants but I work 3 jobs and definitely do not have the non fat genes lol. I wish people who used terms like this would just GO AWAY! Good for you for speaking out about something that bothers you!
PREACH! This is the best post I’ve read all day. Thanking your for shedding some light on such a frustrating topic.
xo,
Marissa
http://www.makinitwithmarissa.com
I don’t think it’s really a big deal. I think it stems from young kids liking to belong to a certain group. People who like certain things or dress a certain way are nerds or hipsters or band geeks or jocks or whatever. Liking Star Wars is “nerd” and liking indie music is “hipster” but most people have many facets to their personality. After high school, I think most people just like what they like and don’t really worry about what “category” it makes them. So keep liking all of those things and don’t worry about whether or not they are “basic”.
I am just about as done with the word “basic” as I am with the word “thot”. I think the dweebs who are now setting the new labels and “rules” for who falls into those labels just need to grow up. People are so focused now with what other people do and how they live their lives. How is going to get some coffee grounds to being labeled as basic? I don’t get it. Truly silly.
Preach, sistah. It’s like society is constantly saying you have to be outside the seasonal status quo for your opinion or livelihood to at all be valid, and that’s only if it’s an opinion/livelihood that others still can validate. Double standards are so rampant anymore! I say, if you like taking pictures of coffee, do it. If you like fall and cozy layers and smells of the season, keep on keepin’ on. As T. Swizzle says, the haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate.
lovelovelove,
Erica
cominguprosestheblog.com
YO GO GIRL. I much prefer being basic (because that means someone is paying attention to me) then being nothing at all :]
love you blog, btw!