For someone trying to make friends this sort of stuff can make or break a fledgling friendship.
I, for example, really enjoy stuff that people hate. The more divided people are on something, the more I will probably like it.
You could write me a hundred-page thesis on why Harry Potter sucks, and I would probably agree with you on every point, I’m an editor for Christ’s sake—but would then run home and read my hardcover copies of the books for the hundredth time, while watching a DVD, wearing my Harry Potter t-shirt, leaning against my Harry Potter pillow slip and warming myself under my Harry Potter blanket, while my framed photo of Ron Weasley looks on.
I obviously place a greater importance on entertainment value than I do on artistic or literary credit. This can be seen in most of things I enjoy: Dawson’s Creek, Britney Spears, Glee, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, Survivor, True Blood (and the Sookie Stackhouse novels), Shortland Street, the list goes on. Listening to the Macarena at work while everyone else is busy working is one of my favourite things to do.
This isn’t to say I am culturally deprived; I can’t stand commercial radio, I am repulsed by Jersey Shore, and won’t touch a Dan Brown novel. Paradox?
Just as much as I love sugary, mainstream stuff I adore the road less travelled. I love the edgy, the arty and the twee.
The only way that you will ever make friends if you too like crap stuff is to either find people who like the same sort of stuff as you, or who couldn’t give a pair of cat’s pyjamas what sort of books you read or what music you have on your iPod. Why would you want to be friends with someone who judges you endlessly anyway? Honestly the thought of only reading the literary greats and never picking up an NW magazine makes me feel extremely tired…but then again so does the opposite.
i'm so with you. One of my favourite movies was on the other night - 10 things I hate about you. I guess it has something literary going for it, being based on (I think) Emma. But that's about it! Oh and Heath Ledger. Because he was hot.
ReplyDeleteI am in two parents' groups at the moment, and trying to make friends in both. It's so difficult - and you're always left thinking it is a deficiency on your part, when they don't call/text/email you about getting together and you have to do all the chasing. Hmm.
I also like crap stuff... in fact I love ALL of the things you mentioned, including the ones you hate, except Dan Brown. I admit to having read them when I was a youngun, but wouldn't touch now.
ReplyDeleteAnd as you know, Dawson's has recently reclaimed a special place in my heart <3
I am also in the middle of both an NW and a Cormac McCarthy novel, so they kinda balance each other out!
I have also read some Dan Brown. I think it's important to read the stuff you say you hate, just to be objective.
ReplyDeleteAlso 10 Things I Hate About You is based on the Taming of the Shrew!
You're like a modern day Dale Carnegie!
ReplyDeleteI had to Google this person. He died on my birthday in 1955, so perhaps I was him in a past life.
ReplyDelete