If you are unclear about what a "prep" is, this may clear a few things up.
To me, the word "prep" applies to people who takes pride in their appearance and love to shop. I am called a prep almost every day, in either a joke or in a bad-mannered tease, neither of which I mind.
Most people think I am crazy for thinking this way, because this word is usually used to label someone negatively. I believe this word is neither bad nor embarrassing - being preppy is more of a fashion statement than a way of life, as it has been known to be.
I, for one, do not use labels. I try to refrain from categorizing people; I prefer to judge people on their inner self.
Lately, the word prep has begun to have a negative connotation, and I cannot understand why.
Many people confuse preps with snobs. These two words (or social groups) are very different. To be a prep means that you like to dress up for school and have a cheery personality, which really does not sound negative at all to me.
To be a snob means to segregate oneself as a class of people and rudely make fun of people who are not like oneself, while wearing "preppy" clothes but without the upbeat personality. This sounds very negative. Generally, preppy people are the nice kids, the ones who are great to befriend.
There are people who give preps a bad name. This is because they appear to be preps on the outside because they dress nicely, but deep down, they are snobbish and mean. Therefore, because of the select few, people tend to not trust nor expect a lot from preppy people.
Another negative association with the word "prep" comes from their sense of fashion. Most preps do enjoy fashion and stylish clothes; you could call it an instinct.
Wearing the same sweatshirt and jeans every day is boring to preps. One most days, you will find a prep wearing sweaters, polo shirts, khaki pants, jeans and clothes like these.
Where they shop is not always important. Many people think that preps are stuck up and will only shop at expensive stores like Abercrombie and Fitch or Hollister, when, in fact, preppy people are just like everyone else and are comfortable shopping anywhere. Preppy people just want to show confidence and experiment with different outfits.
Being a prep is not bad, in my opinion. Being a prep is about style and fashion, not about attitudes and segregation. When people meet you, a first impression is extremely important. When you look good and are confident, the people you meet will be more impressed and remember you.
To me, the word "prep" applies to people who takes pride in their appearance and love to shop. I am called a prep almost every day, in either a joke or in a bad-mannered tease, neither of which I mind.
Most people think I am crazy for thinking this way, because this word is usually used to label someone negatively. I believe this word is neither bad nor embarrassing - being preppy is more of a fashion statement than a way of life, as it has been known to be.
I, for one, do not use labels. I try to refrain from categorizing people; I prefer to judge people on their inner self.
Lately, the word prep has begun to have a negative connotation, and I cannot understand why.
Many people confuse preps with snobs. These two words (or social groups) are very different. To be a prep means that you like to dress up for school and have a cheery personality, which really does not sound negative at all to me.
To be a snob means to segregate oneself as a class of people and rudely make fun of people who are not like oneself, while wearing "preppy" clothes but without the upbeat personality. This sounds very negative. Generally, preppy people are the nice kids, the ones who are great to befriend.
There are people who give preps a bad name. This is because they appear to be preps on the outside because they dress nicely, but deep down, they are snobbish and mean. Therefore, because of the select few, people tend to not trust nor expect a lot from preppy people.
Another negative association with the word "prep" comes from their sense of fashion. Most preps do enjoy fashion and stylish clothes; you could call it an instinct.
Wearing the same sweatshirt and jeans every day is boring to preps. One most days, you will find a prep wearing sweaters, polo shirts, khaki pants, jeans and clothes like these.
Where they shop is not always important. Many people think that preps are stuck up and will only shop at expensive stores like Abercrombie and Fitch or Hollister, when, in fact, preppy people are just like everyone else and are comfortable shopping anywhere. Preppy people just want to show confidence and experiment with different outfits.
Being a prep is not bad, in my opinion. Being a prep is about style and fashion, not about attitudes and segregation. When people meet you, a first impression is extremely important. When you look good and are confident, the people you meet will be more impressed and remember you.
nnn
Jenna Hurley is a teen correspondent for All That.
