people who crave attention/security and try to obtain it by being unnatural or "counter-culture." Often they dress in vintage clothing or random articles of clothing that would not be worn usually at that time. ie: a skull-cap during the summer or not suitable clothing for a certain occasion. Frequently hipsters meet people by being different and usually become friends with that person until they must appear "counter-culture" to the rest of the world in their attempt to meet more people and gain a false security in a group. Most do not have friends and are often seen alone in an unfamiliar environment or dazing off in the distance with company of another person(s).
by The Dehipster November 3, 2010
usually someone in college or fresh out of college until about their late twenties who enjoys indie music, a good cup of coffee or tea, grocery shopping at an organic store and vintage clothe shopping. also enjoys local acoustic band shows, and enjoys indie flicks or foreign films with subtitles. they are snobbish about their music and political affiliations, and enjoy reading books.they enjoy traveling and culture in general.
someone who dresses 1/2 euro trendy with and attitude of "i still like to read". they don't label themselves as hipsters, yet some claim instead to be "ecclectic"
by Jennifer refinneJ January 28, 2006
Basically a hipster is your modern day Amish. They don't like the trends of the world, so they shun them and live their own worthless lives.
Everyone in the world loves stupid designer things and doesn't appreciate the finer things in life, such as this bag i found in a tree. No one else has it. Hipsters are cheap.
by Amlahe October 7, 2009
Hipster-
A contrived identity constructed out of a pastiche of symbols co-opted from bohemian movements of the past, and then reassembled and repackaged. Yet, unlike bohemian subcultures of earlier periods, the hipster lives by no common creed, ethic, or collection of political beliefs. Nor does the hipster offer a unique form of art, music, or literature as groups such as the Beats, Hippies, Yippies, or Punks once did. Rather, the hipster is driven by an effort to cultivate an identity as an end in itself, a persona that will presumably distinguish the hipster from their despised, and over-generalized concept of “mainstream culture.”
Hipster Psychology-
Hipster psychology is born out of experiences of rejection during childhood and adolescence as well as the resultant inability to conform to contemporary social standards. The hipster, as a psychological self defense mechanism, constructs an alternative perspective on culture and identity as a response to their subjective experience of social failure and emotional pain. Rather than accept their own shortcomings at face value, the hipster cultivates a self centered world view whereupon culture, religion, politics, and society as a whole are at fault for all that causes dissatisfaction and frustration. Furthermore, the hipster believes that his or her non-participation in “mainstream” life serves as a form of subversion itself, as well as proof positive of their intellectual enlightenment rather than an obvious demonstration of their failure to adapt. Because arrogance is the shadow of shame, the hipster converts his or her social incompetence into an attitude of superiority, and his or her failure into a disposition of pride.
Consequently, hipster culture presents an “alternative image” that attempts to counter, parody, mock, or even satire their concept of mainstream culture while providing a safe environment that, from afar, collectively gives the appearance of a movement. Thus, hipsters make it their practice to flaunt the photo-negative image of their idea of popular “suburban” culture. For example, if the average person in the suburbs shops in malls, the hipster will buy their clothing in second hand shops. If (over generalized) suburban men drive state of the art sports cars with large engines, the hipster may drive a modest Volkswagen or an old, very undersized subcompact European car such as an early seventies BMW, or better yet, ride a fixed gear bicycle with a sticker exclaiming “One Less Car.”
Because the Hipster loathes above all things to be seen as conventional they, as a rule, don’t work. According to existentialist orthodoxy, “one is what one does.” As a result, the hipster does nothing. The hipster’s lack of participation in any type of career, at least on the surface, functions as an attempt to avoid being characterized as "mainstream." However, upon deeper examination it isn't hard to discover that the hipster lacks the requisite skills to do anything purposeful anyway. Rather, for the hipster, one is as one "seems." And the hipster is very adept at being able to "seem." Seeming requires collecting symbols both material and intellectual and proves much easier on a frail body and psyche than actual work. This is particularly the case when parents help around rent time, if the hipster doesn't already own.
Because the hipster’s life is a lie that they tell to themselves (and don’t believe themselves) they demonstrate a high degree of instability and mental illness which will often be treated by psychoactive medication. Often hipsters will merely self-medicate, particularly if their parents don't pay their COBRA. As a result, hipsters will eventually exhibit behaviors that are truly alternative until they face the fact that their subculture is an elaborate buffer from their fear of non-acceptance and failure.
A contrived identity constructed out of a pastiche of symbols co-opted from bohemian movements of the past, and then reassembled and repackaged. Yet, unlike bohemian subcultures of earlier periods, the hipster lives by no common creed, ethic, or collection of political beliefs. Nor does the hipster offer a unique form of art, music, or literature as groups such as the Beats, Hippies, Yippies, or Punks once did. Rather, the hipster is driven by an effort to cultivate an identity as an end in itself, a persona that will presumably distinguish the hipster from their despised, and over-generalized concept of “mainstream culture.”
Hipster Psychology-
Hipster psychology is born out of experiences of rejection during childhood and adolescence as well as the resultant inability to conform to contemporary social standards. The hipster, as a psychological self defense mechanism, constructs an alternative perspective on culture and identity as a response to their subjective experience of social failure and emotional pain. Rather than accept their own shortcomings at face value, the hipster cultivates a self centered world view whereupon culture, religion, politics, and society as a whole are at fault for all that causes dissatisfaction and frustration. Furthermore, the hipster believes that his or her non-participation in “mainstream” life serves as a form of subversion itself, as well as proof positive of their intellectual enlightenment rather than an obvious demonstration of their failure to adapt. Because arrogance is the shadow of shame, the hipster converts his or her social incompetence into an attitude of superiority, and his or her failure into a disposition of pride.
Consequently, hipster culture presents an “alternative image” that attempts to counter, parody, mock, or even satire their concept of mainstream culture while providing a safe environment that, from afar, collectively gives the appearance of a movement. Thus, hipsters make it their practice to flaunt the photo-negative image of their idea of popular “suburban” culture. For example, if the average person in the suburbs shops in malls, the hipster will buy their clothing in second hand shops. If (over generalized) suburban men drive state of the art sports cars with large engines, the hipster may drive a modest Volkswagen or an old, very undersized subcompact European car such as an early seventies BMW, or better yet, ride a fixed gear bicycle with a sticker exclaiming “One Less Car.”
Because the Hipster loathes above all things to be seen as conventional they, as a rule, don’t work. According to existentialist orthodoxy, “one is what one does.” As a result, the hipster does nothing. The hipster’s lack of participation in any type of career, at least on the surface, functions as an attempt to avoid being characterized as "mainstream." However, upon deeper examination it isn't hard to discover that the hipster lacks the requisite skills to do anything purposeful anyway. Rather, for the hipster, one is as one "seems." And the hipster is very adept at being able to "seem." Seeming requires collecting symbols both material and intellectual and proves much easier on a frail body and psyche than actual work. This is particularly the case when parents help around rent time, if the hipster doesn't already own.
Because the hipster’s life is a lie that they tell to themselves (and don’t believe themselves) they demonstrate a high degree of instability and mental illness which will often be treated by psychoactive medication. Often hipsters will merely self-medicate, particularly if their parents don't pay their COBRA. As a result, hipsters will eventually exhibit behaviors that are truly alternative until they face the fact that their subculture is an elaborate buffer from their fear of non-acceptance and failure.
Hipster Conversation-
Dylan: “Man, I’m so sick of my dad’s whole patriarchal disdain for any sense of leisure.”
Josh: "Yeah, man, tell me about it; I hardly ever get back up to Greenwich anymore for that reason.”
Dylan “Hey bartender, we’ll take two Pabst Blue Ribbons please.”
Dylan: “Man, I’m so sick of my dad’s whole patriarchal disdain for any sense of leisure.”
Josh: "Yeah, man, tell me about it; I hardly ever get back up to Greenwich anymore for that reason.”
Dylan “Hey bartender, we’ll take two Pabst Blue Ribbons please.”
by Mickey M August 18, 2009
Huge believer in evolution, whose enemy is those "unenlightened" conformists who follow their evolutionary desires in choosing sexual partners.
Though early women evolved to prefer muscular, athletic, confident, secure men, hipsters are convinced that men who try to achieve these characteristics and their female admirers are doing so because they lack the intellectual capacity to realize that pale, sickly men with a smug attitude make the best partners.
Though early women evolved to prefer muscular, athletic, confident, secure men, hipsters are convinced that men who try to achieve these characteristics and their female admirers are doing so because they lack the intellectual capacity to realize that pale, sickly men with a smug attitude make the best partners.
Hipster: Look at all those conformists who waste their time working and exercising, when they could be buying trendy clothes.
by mes8810 July 5, 2010
by AllisonDC July 29, 2006
Someone who doesn't fit any other social group. Listens to indie music. Dresses in a style kindly described as "oddly".
just look at this Pandora profile....THAT is a hipster or young soon-o-be-hipster, if I've ever seen one:
"Hey! I'll just talk about music here, throwing in little tidbits about me. I really like "Indie" (though such differing styles should never be crushed into one genre) bands and things nobody's(at school, anyhow) heard of, so I'm glad Pandora has them. I really like irony, and I would think it amazing if the lyrics of a song reflect effort of intelligence spent on them, rather than the cookie cutter mainstream things out there today.EVen though I'm just 14, I despise the direction music is headed, both lyrically and instrumentally. Where are we, in 1984? Music making machines might have worked in George Orwell's world, but that's why Big Brother would have killed me. On a related note, I was recently distraught to discover that Indie FM in soCal has been replaced by Spanish station. How could they get rid of such a groovy station?
When not, I like reading, writing, debating, having intellectual conversation, knitting, creating theories, talking to cats with different opinions than my own, and riding my totally amazing bike (vintage schwinn with LOOOONG fenders!!!). By the way, despite comments made by some drones I know, I am NOT a hipster. I refuse to submit to an group. WHy limit yourself? (I hang out with self identified nerd, dorks, activists, emos, punks, hipsters, geeks, band people, and drama geeks. However, I hate social branding, just can't convince my ragtag band of amigos.)"
Notice how the girl edits her pandora profile.... she also describes herself as a "student/novelist/poet/blogger"
Look at the station, it's called "Groovy Tunes for Tubular Cats"....seriously?
"Hey! I'll just talk about music here, throwing in little tidbits about me. I really like "Indie" (though such differing styles should never be crushed into one genre) bands and things nobody's(at school, anyhow) heard of, so I'm glad Pandora has them. I really like irony, and I would think it amazing if the lyrics of a song reflect effort of intelligence spent on them, rather than the cookie cutter mainstream things out there today.EVen though I'm just 14, I despise the direction music is headed, both lyrically and instrumentally. Where are we, in 1984? Music making machines might have worked in George Orwell's world, but that's why Big Brother would have killed me. On a related note, I was recently distraught to discover that Indie FM in soCal has been replaced by Spanish station. How could they get rid of such a groovy station?
When not, I like reading, writing, debating, having intellectual conversation, knitting, creating theories, talking to cats with different opinions than my own, and riding my totally amazing bike (vintage schwinn with LOOOONG fenders!!!). By the way, despite comments made by some drones I know, I am NOT a hipster. I refuse to submit to an group. WHy limit yourself? (I hang out with self identified nerd, dorks, activists, emos, punks, hipsters, geeks, band people, and drama geeks. However, I hate social branding, just can't convince my ragtag band of amigos.)"
Notice how the girl edits her pandora profile.... she also describes herself as a "student/novelist/poet/blogger"
Look at the station, it's called "Groovy Tunes for Tubular Cats"....seriously?
by Harvey Jones July 5, 2009