What Does it Mean if a Woman is Called a "Basic"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have said this and mean it as an insult. To me it's someone who follows trends but can't even be bothered to identity my the trends that speak to them personally, or to keep up with the latest trends. Instead a basic person will just adopt the most accessible trends from like 2 years ago and then make them their whole personality.

So like today it would be wearing prairie dresses, wearing hair long and wavy (ideally battled with those heatless rollers), carrying a Stanley cup, and referring to everything as an era (this is my baking on a Saturday night era, this is my making a big deal out if my birthday era).

It's like someone whose persona has been focus grouped by Instagram influencers from Utah.

Very few people are truly basic. It requires a very specific level of insecurity and lack of creativity, usually convinced with plenty of disposable income and too much time in her hands.

I think you are unintentionally making the point that women who refer to other women as basic are just projecting their own insecurities onto those women.

I’m boring and basic. I like what I like. Which is what the majority of people like in most cases, because I don’t kid myself that I am a unique, special snowflake. If I am just catching up with the trends from two years ago but think prairie dresses look nice I’ll wear them. I don’t care if it’s not trendy now.

People like you, ironically, make NOT following mainstream trends your whole personality. If it wasn’t so important to you that you’re NOT basic you wouldn’t notice or care enough about what other women do or like to insult them for it.

#notliketheothergirls

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t find “basic” as an insult. I see it as kind of funny and often used by other “basic” white millennial women laughing at themselves for liking pumpkin spice lattes and scented candles.

The pejorative version is “NPC” (non-player character, gamer culture) which does actually refer to a person with predictable, unoriginal opinions. MAGAs are very NPC since their talking points are very predictable in terms of not just politics but the things they are supposed to like and not like. NPCs are most likely part of a cult.

Mmm, let's take our cues on how to judge who has a worthwhile personality from the people who spend their life playing single player video games and take that vocabulary with them when they switch to forum posting, without the hassle of getting up out of their basement chair.

[Anonymous]

someone not super smart, or hugely funny, without a good sense of irony, current affairs or culture. someone not super sophisticated who likes obvious stuff. Like if you have a 'live, laugh, love' sign and go to disneyworld as an adult or on cruises or shop at chiccos or big into katy perry or laugh after you say something even if it's not funny. then you are basic.

[Anonymous]

This is basic:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is basic:

This, and part of the key here is that they are all dressed the same, together, and posing for this photo. Like if they weren't all dressed alike but one or two looked like this I wouldn't really think anything of it.

Just dressing or doing something mainstream or mid is not basic. People who are basic are SO PROUD of their choices. There's this element of "Look at me!" when they are just doing something thousands of people do on Instagram everyday.

Basic people lack self awareness or humility. But you can't even concede "well, it's true they are very stylish" or whatever.

They're just... basic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is basic:

This, and part of the key here is that they are all dressed the same, together, and posing for this photo. Like if they weren't all dressed alike but one or two looked like this I wouldn't really think anything of it.

Just dressing or doing something mainstream or mid is not basic. People who are basic are SO PROUD of their choices. There's this element of "Look at me!" when they are just doing something thousands of people do on Instagram everyday.

Basic people lack self awareness or humility. But you can't even concede "well, it's true they are very stylish" or whatever.

They're just... basic.

Ummm… it seems obvious that they deliberately dressed matchy-matchy FOR this photo. I’m sure they all had these items in their closets, but then they probably thought it would be fun/funny to take a themed photo together?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is basic:

This, and part of the key here is that they are all dressed the same, together, and posing for this photo. Like if they weren't all dressed alike but one or two looked like this I wouldn't really think anything of it.

Just dressing or doing something mainstream or mid is not basic. People who are basic are SO PROUD of their choices. There's this element of "Look at me!" when they are just doing something thousands of people do on Instagram everyday.

Basic people lack self awareness or humility. But you can't even concede "well, it's true they are very stylish" or whatever.

They're just... basic.

God forbid women take a photo with their friends and upload to social media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have said this and mean it as an insult. To me it's someone who follows trends but can't even be bothered to identity my the trends that speak to them personally, or to keep up with the latest trends. Instead a basic person will just adopt the most accessible trends from like 2 years ago and then make them their whole personality.

So like today it would be wearing prairie dresses, wearing hair long and wavy (ideally battled with those heatless rollers), carrying a Stanley cup, and referring to everything as an era (this is my baking on a Saturday night era, this is my making a big deal out if my birthday era).

It's like someone whose persona has been focus grouped by Instagram influencers from Utah.

Very few people are truly basic. It requires a very specific level of insecurity and lack of creativity, usually convinced with plenty of disposable income and too much time in her hands.

I think you are unintentionally making the point that women who refer to other women as basic are just projecting their own insecurities onto those women.

I’m boring and basic. I like what I like. Which is what the majority of people like in most cases, because I don’t kid myself that I am a unique, special snowflake. If I am just catching up with the trends from two years ago but think prairie dresses look nice I’ll wear them. I don’t care if it’s not trendy now.

People like you, ironically, make NOT following mainstream trends your whole personality. If it wasn’t so important to you that you’re NOT basic you wouldn’t notice or care enough about what other women do or like to insult them for it.

Perhaps. I do value originality in people. Though I actually like plenty of things that other people like and don't think there's anything wrong with that. A person who is "basic" isn't merely mainstream or as you put it boring. They are trying very hard to project a certain image. When I was a college student being basic meant asking your parents to buy you Dooney & Burke handbags and getting thatTiffany heart lock jewelry and wearing it like a badge of honor. It was about trying very hard to fit a very specific aesthetic that you and a small group of other people decided was the height of fashion or sophistication but ironically is just some tired and safe trend from several years ago.

I think some of you are getting preemptively offended by this when it's actually a very specific and accurate insult. Being basic isn't just about being late on trends. It's about fundamentally misunderstanding how trends work but then looking down on other people for failing to fall in line with your outdated ideas about what is "in". It's a whole attitude.

Actually I think you have your own definition of “basic” in this context and it is not how the vast majority of the world uses it. Either way, maybe consider not insulting women because they buy and wear different mass produced crap than you do?

I'm sorry you don't understand the meaning of this word. You are getting worked up (I guess out of a fear that you are basic) for no reason.

I already told you I’m basic. I’m fine with that, because I understand that I am one of 8 billion people on the planet (and very much aware that I am not, in fact, the main character). Not worked up in the least, just trying to give you some friendly, woman-to-woman advice (because you sound quite young and immature).

I’m imagining you waking up one day at 45 and being utterly befuddled as to why you have no close female friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is basic:

This, and part of the key here is that they are all dressed the same, together, and posing for this photo. Like if they weren't all dressed alike but one or two looked like this I wouldn't really think anything of it.

Just dressing or doing something mainstream or mid is not basic. People who are basic are SO PROUD of their choices. There's this element of "Look at me!" when they are just doing something thousands of people do on Instagram everyday.

Basic people lack self awareness or humility. But you can't even concede "well, it's true they are very stylish" or whatever.

They're just... basic.

Ummm… it seems obvious that they deliberately dressed matchy-matchy FOR this photo. I’m sure they all had these items in their closets, but then they probably thought it would be fun/funny to take a themed photo together?

I mean this is pretty obviously a bachelorette party with a theme-- the woman in the middle in the white dress is the bride.

And yes it's clear they thought this would be awesome. That's why it's basic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Watch "The Good Place" and you'll see the origins of the phase

Lol, no. The term "basic b___" was around before that show. You DCUM types just weren't aware of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have said this and mean it as an insult. To me it's someone who follows trends but can't even be bothered to identity my the trends that speak to them personally, or to keep up with the latest trends. Instead a basic person will just adopt the most accessible trends from like 2 years ago and then make them their whole personality.

So like today it would be wearing prairie dresses, wearing hair long and wavy (ideally battled with those heatless rollers), carrying a Stanley cup, and referring to everything as an era (this is my baking on a Saturday night era, this is my making a big deal out if my birthday era).

It's like someone whose persona has been focus grouped by Instagram influencers from Utah.

Very few people are truly basic. It requires a very specific level of insecurity and lack of creativity, usually convinced with plenty of disposable income and too much time in her hands.

I think you are unintentionally making the point that women who refer to other women as basic are just projecting their own insecurities onto those women.

I’m boring and basic. I like what I like. Which is what the majority of people like in most cases, because I don’t kid myself that I am a unique, special snowflake. If I am just catching up with the trends from two years ago but think prairie dresses look nice I’ll wear them. I don’t care if it’s not trendy now.

People like you, ironically, make NOT following mainstream trends your whole personality. If it wasn’t so important to you that you’re NOT basic you wouldn’t notice or care enough about what other women do or like to insult them for it.

Perhaps. I do value originality in people. Though I actually like plenty of things that other people like and don't think there's anything wrong with that. A person who is "basic" isn't merely mainstream or as you put it boring. They are trying very hard to project a certain image. When I was a college student being basic meant asking your parents to buy you Dooney & Burke handbags and getting thatTiffany heart lock jewelry and wearing it like a badge of honor. It was about trying very hard to fit a very specific aesthetic that you and a small group of other people decided was the height of fashion or sophistication but ironically is just some tired and safe trend from several years ago.

I think some of you are getting preemptively offended by this when it's actually a very specific and accurate insult. Being basic isn't just about being late on trends. It's about fundamentally misunderstanding how trends work but then looking down on other people for failing to fall in line with your outdated ideas about what is "in". It's a whole attitude.

Actually I think you have your own definition of “basic” in this context and it is not how the vast majority of the world uses it. Either way, maybe consider not insulting women because they buy and wear different mass produced crap than you do?

I'm sorry you don't understand the meaning of this word. You are getting worked up (I guess out of a fear that you are basic) for no reason.

I already told you I’m basic. I’m fine with that, because I understand that I am one of 8 billion people on the planet (and very much aware that I am not, in fact, the main character). Not worked up in the least, just trying to give you some friendly, woman-to-woman advice (because you sound quite young and immature).

I’m imagining you waking up one day at 45 and being utterly befuddled as to why you have no close female friends.

Do you think you can't have female friends unless you wear the same lame Instagram outfit as everyone else? I don't get it.

You don't have to be basic to have friends. None of my friends are basic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have said this and mean it as an insult. To me it's someone who follows trends but can't even be bothered to identity my the trends that speak to them personally, or to keep up with the latest trends. Instead a basic person will just adopt the most accessible trends from like 2 years ago and then make them their whole personality.

So like today it would be wearing prairie dresses, wearing hair long and wavy (ideally battled with those heatless rollers), carrying a Stanley cup, and referring to everything as an era (this is my baking on a Saturday night era, this is my making a big deal out if my birthday era).

It's like someone whose persona has been focus grouped by Instagram influencers from Utah.

Very few people are truly basic. It requires a very specific level of insecurity and lack of creativity, usually convinced with plenty of disposable income and too much time in her hands.

I think you are unintentionally making the point that women who refer to other women as basic are just projecting their own insecurities onto those women.

I’m boring and basic. I like what I like. Which is what the majority of people like in most cases, because I don’t kid myself that I am a unique, special snowflake. If I am just catching up with the trends from two years ago but think prairie dresses look nice I’ll wear them. I don’t care if it’s not trendy now.

People like you, ironically, make NOT following mainstream trends your whole personality. If it wasn’t so important to you that you’re NOT basic you wouldn’t notice or care enough about what other women do or like to insult them for it.

Perhaps. I do value originality in people. Though I actually like plenty of things that other people like and don't think there's anything wrong with that. A person who is "basic" isn't merely mainstream or as you put it boring. They are trying very hard to project a certain image. When I was a college student being basic meant asking your parents to buy you Dooney & Burke handbags and getting thatTiffany heart lock jewelry and wearing it like a badge of honor. It was about trying very hard to fit a very specific aesthetic that you and a small group of other people decided was the height of fashion or sophistication but ironically is just some tired and safe trend from several years ago.

I think some of you are getting preemptively offended by this when it's actually a very specific and accurate insult. Being basic isn't just about being late on trends. It's about fundamentally misunderstanding how trends work but then looking down on other people for failing to fall in line with your outdated ideas about what is "in". It's a whole attitude.

Actually I think you have your own definition of “basic” in this context and it is not how the vast majority of the world uses it. Either way, maybe consider not insulting women because they buy and wear different mass produced crap than you do?

I'm sorry you don't understand the meaning of this word. You are getting worked up (I guess out of a fear that you are basic) for no reason.

I already told you I’m basic. I’m fine with that, because I understand that I am one of 8 billion people on the planet (and very much aware that I am not, in fact, the main character). Not worked up in the least, just trying to give you some friendly, woman-to-woman advice (because you sound quite young and immature).

I’m imagining you waking up one day at 45 and being utterly befuddled as to why you have no close female friends.

Do you think you can't have female friends unless you wear the same lame Instagram outfit as everyone else? I don't get it.

You don't have to be basic to have friends. None of my friends are basic.

No, dummy. I’m saying that you can’t be the type of woman who feels the need to constantly cut other women down and have *real* female friends.

I’m sure you have many interesting friends, but if you/they continue down this misogynistic path of insecurity you’re going to realize one day that those relationships have become very surface level. And they will have to be, because people who think/behave as you do are untrustworthy.

Free advice, take it or leave it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is basic:

The thing is, you can do it with any subculture. A kid hanging out in St.Marks Place in NYC will look plenty alternative against this crowd, but grab enough of them and you’ll see how only a few are truly original.

[Anonymous]

If it helps, I use it about men too, when they are dull and have no edge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is basic:

This, and part of the key here is that they are all dressed the same, together, and posing for this photo. Like if they weren't all dressed alike but one or two looked like this I wouldn't really think anything of it.

Just dressing or doing something mainstream or mid is not basic. People who are basic are SO PROUD of their choices. There's this element of "Look at me!" when they are just doing something thousands of people do on Instagram everyday.

Basic people lack self awareness or humility. But you can't even concede "well, it's true they are very stylish" or whatever.

They're just... basic.

Social media is basic.

And toxic.