Everyone wants to look great. The media is constantly selling images of perfect body types, cool clothes and hip attitudes. This has infiltrated our psyche so much so that we must never have a 'pop down' moment (translation - looking like a flat out, hot, mess!).To overcome this, students have gone to great lengths to preserve their swag or snazziness. Along with books, pens and pencils there are added accessories to the book bag. Guys now carry: combs, mirrors, cream, face wash, hand sanitiser, lip balm, earrings, a hanger and a tooth brush. The tooth brush serves the purpose of cleaning their shoes throughout the day.Girls, I've got your number as well.
Into the bag goes gel, lip gloss, curling iron, face wash, powder, cream and perfume. I have not forgotten the infamous must have mirror (I know you hide it in your text book for a quick touch up during Spanish class).The vanity continues beyond these added image tools. Girls are sometimes in a limbo about their weight or clothes that flatter their figure. Guys are all about maintaining the physique. So who is more vain - guys or girls? It's given that girls pay close attention to their appearance so stereotypically we win by a long shot on the vanity scale. Ladies relish always being on point but these days the guys are trying to make a come back. It's bad enough that we're already competing for the tightest pants and shortest tops, now they want to outdo us in the 'freshen up' game. Guys, we love that you want to stay fresh but some things should be left to girls.
I think girls have a natural affinity to aesthetic superiority in the touch up department. Keeping our image and body in top form adds to our self esteem. That is not to say the same cannot be true for our male counterparts. However, this is our domain; do not overstep your boundary. Guys, we applaud 'good' dress sense and efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle via exercise. It's when guys start to carry wardrobe objects (hangers), half of the cosmetics store and can't take their eyes off themselves in every glass window in town that it gets a bit creepy and vain.
Nothing is wrong with wanting to stay fresh but the lip balm is unnecessary - God invented saliva. Also, you may want to add toothpaste and use the toothbrush for what it was meant to do...keeping your breath fresh.The thing about being vain is that one becomes a bit too self absorbed. In a way we are all a little bit vain - it's what keeps you loving you. But look around, girls have always been overly concerned with the way they look (especially in the eyes of men). It's the guys who have changed. Next thing you know a guy passes up a chance for a date simply because the girl's hair is way cuter than his. It's that bad! So you be the judge – who do you think will take this award? Let us know.
Leah Lewis
Press Pass Correspondent
University of the West Indies