A Crash Course in UK “Trash”: The Chav

Many of our American social ills also plague other societies.

What we call ghetto, white trash, nigga or wigger is called “chav” in England.

On top of this, you don’t have to wait until you are 21 to drink.

According to Wikipedia:

“Chav as an epithet

Within the UK “chav” is often used to indicate a person(s) openly exhibiting many antisocial or irresponsible tenancies, particular examples include.

• Habitual, willing unemployment,
• Truancy (if of school age)
• Underage sexual activity, particularly if resulting in underage pregnancies,
• Promiscuity and children conceived in casual relationships,
• Assault or incitement to violence, including so called Happy slapping and co-ordinated intimidation.
• Theft,
• Criminal Vandalism,
• Profoundly hubris tic behavior including queue jumping, and enhanced sense of entitlement.
• Public Nuisance, in particular spitting, shouting or playing loud music on the street or on public transport.
• Hatred of the police and other authority figures
• Hatred of other subcultures, such as Goths,mods,punks,rockers,skaters,hippies and emos.

Requests to keep the noise down, or to move along, are often met with aggression, assault and in some cases even murder ^[10] . Such individuals often have ASBO’s imposed on them for their behavior.

The issues of respect and authority are common points of contention, it is often claimed that chavs exhibit such behaviour because they aren’t shown enough respect, and that society at large has yet to earn their respect. This is typified by a cavalier attitude to police and legal matters, (Indeed many “ASBO”s are considered badges of pride rather than meaningful warnings from society^[11]) and ignorance of medical advice^[12].

Such people are often, but not exclusively dressed in Chav Fashion. It is not known whether the behavioural stereotype, the fashion, or the union of the two was first named “Chav”.

Hummm, sound familiar?

And this Burberry thing…

Tons of “chav” kids wear knock-off Burberry. (See the girl with the tan plaid top in the pic?)

The “Chav Look” is typified by cheap, often counterfeit clothing and accessories.

“Burberry has taken a number of steps to distance itself from the stereotype. It ceased production of its own branded baseball cap in 2004. And has scaled back the use of its trademarked checkered/tartan design to such an extent that it now only appears on the inner linings and other very low-key positions of their clothing. “

Below are “Chavettes”..[Female-eous Chavette-oeus] and their mates.

And NOW!

FOR OUR FEATURE PRESENTATION!!!