Friday, November 13, 2009

If you are from the tri-state area, you are familiar with the "Guido" culture. Guidos are catagorized by their over-gelled spiked hair, tanned skin, and macho attitude. They wear Armani Exchange and Guess and they spend all their time at the gym and in the clubs. They listen to techno music while doing the "jersey fist pump". They are womanizers and are always looking to start a fight and they are almost always Italian. MTV happens to be premiering a new show called Jersey Shore on December 3rd which follows the lives of Guidos on the beaches, boardwalk, and clubs of South Jersey. I find the entire concept hilarious because I'm from New Jersey and I actually know a lot of people who embody the Guido stereotype. However, this show really serves no purpose but to promote the idea that everyone from New Jersey is a spoiled, angry alcoholic that lives off of mommy and daddy. The entire Guido culture is a reflection of hegemonic masculinity- they are supposed to be buff and tan with a beautiful woman ("guidette") at their side. What is so ironic is the fact that Guidos spend so much time defending their masculinity but they actually take part in many stereotypical female behaviors. They like to shop, spend hours getting ready, get their eyebrows waxed, go to the tanning salon, and are generally superficial human beings. The entire development of Guido culture completely fascinates me and I already know that I will be sucked into watching this show every week. I'm curious to see how MTV will represent this subculture. 


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