Yuppies in Bozeman?

whitetrashgriz · Post by **whitetrashgriz** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 12:21 am

i dont think i fully understand the whole yuppy thing. can you guys give me an example. i ask because after going to a few concerts this year, one at the mangy moose bar at jackson hole, and the other at dantes(sp) in big sky, i have a totally different view. we have our rich people, and our coffee drinkers, and our "nice coat wearers", but all-in-all i feel like we are a typical ski town. these resorts are like a differnt world to me and the people too. so fill me in. what am i missing?

Topher · Post by **Topher** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:25 am

Yuppie is a term that came from the eighties, sort of the quasi afluent upper middle class. Non-stop purchasing of non necessity items (i.e. an SUV) is sort of a yuppie cliche. Your average "soccer mom" is probably a yuppie. I am careful here because obviously there are people that drive SUV's or have kids that play soccer that aren't yuppies, these are just typical characteristics. Yuppies are sort of the hippie meets the Regan administration. Yuppie and hippie are actually two terms that really can not be defined, but you kind of know one when you see one. Like that guy that never showers with dread locks and the stained Widespreed Panic t'shirt is a hippie, while the fairly clean imaged, but still far too liberal person can also be labeled a hippie. For the yuppie, look for the ski rack havin, expensive coffee drinkin, SUV drivin, North Face Jacket wearin, Bank Account usin type. While there is a range of ways you could define a yuppie, this is a good place to start. Unfortunately it means labeling people, but come on. We do that regardless.

lifeloyalsigmsu · Post by **lifeloyalsigmsu** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 12:15 pm

Topher wrote:Yuppie is a term that came from the eighties, sort of the quasi afluent upper middle class. Non-stop purchasing of non necessity items (i.e. an SUV) is sort of a yuppie cliche. Your average "soccer mom" is probably a yuppie. I am careful here because obviously there are people that drive SUV's or have kids that play soccer that aren't yuppies, these are just typical characteristics. Yuppies are sort of the hippie meets the Regan administration. Yuppie and hippie are actually two terms that really can not be defined, but you kind of know one when you see one. Like that guy that never showers with dread locks and the stained Widespreed Panic t'shirt is a hippie, while the fairly clean imaged, but still far too liberal person can also be labeled a hippie. For the yuppie, look for the ski rack havin, expensive coffee drinkin, SUV drivin, North Face Jacket wearin, Bank Account usin type. While there is a range of ways you could define a yuppie, this is a good place to start. Unfortunately it means labeling people, but come on. We do that regardless.

This is a huge generalization and one that hasn't changed in any town in this country that has a ski hill (or hills) near it. Let's see, I have always driven a 4 wheel drive (at least while in Montana, I had an SUV) because when I'm driving in adverse weather conditions, I would trust a 4WD over a front or rear WD. I had (still have, actually but not much in skiing here in AZ) a ski rack because it always got my skis as well as my friends' equipment up the mountain without wrecking the inside of my SUV. The North Face equipment has always been good stuff but my favorite is Marmot. Anytime I had a rip or tear, each respective company honored their product and fixed it or even replaced it. God forbid any of us want to keep warm in the winter. While we're at it, since Carhartt was (is it still?) a fashion statement when I was leaving Bozeman, does that make them yuppies too?

To me, that's hardly a yuppy. They are people that live for the snow and skiing. If that's a fashion trend in Bozeman, then so be it.

Yuppy is more less a buzzword from the 80's. YUP generally stood for Young Urban Professional.

Grizlaw · Post by **Grizlaw** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:09 pm

Topher wrote:For the yuppie, look for the ski rack havin, expensive coffee drinkin, SUV drivin, North Face Jacket wearin, Bank Account usin type.

I thought it was interesting that you included "Bank Account Using" as a yuppie trait. What do non-yuppies do with their money; stuff it all into a mattress and pay cash for everything?

bobcatmaniac · Post by **bobcatmaniac** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:52 pm

Grizlaw wrote:
Topher wrote:For the yuppie, look for the ski rack havin, expensive coffee drinkin, SUV drivin, North Face Jacket wearin, Bank Account usin type.
I thought it was interesting that you included "Bank Account Using" as a yuppie trait. What do non-yuppies do with their money; stuff it all into a mattress and pay cash for everything?

I would think "max out the credit card" is something non-yuppies do.
I thought yuppie also meant "young upwardly mobile professional person".

Grizlaw · Post by **Grizlaw** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:40 pm

bobcatmaniac wrote:I would think "max out the credit card" is something non-yuppies do.

That's true enough, although I don't think that's something that's exclusively limited to non-yuppies. I'm still convinced that excessive consumer debt and the tendency of most people in this country to live ridiculously beyond their means is going to be the downfall of this great period of economic prosperity that we're allegedly living in now.

But that's another conversation for another time...

--GL

Topher · Post by **Topher** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:14 pm

Some of you are making some rather good points, but the fact remains that a lot of people who don't need SUV's buy them anyway. They hog the road and waste gas, but it is a total status symbol right now. (If you couldn't tell, I am not a fan of the SUV) Before you start with the but I but I but I's, just remember that people got along just fine before SUV's. Spare me the "Yeah well people rode horses and yadda yadda yadda". You can still live a modern life without an SUV. You are right, the Young Urban Professional was the original prototype that defined yuppies, and I think you see a lot of that living in Bozeman now (After they make the big bucks ofcourse). Oh and about wearing a ski coat, there is a difference between a practical winter jacket and the $400 state of the art high fashion piece o'crap that you see people buying. A yuppie obtains rediculous things beyond practicality, which actually beeing a proponent of Keynsian (spelling?) economics really is not that bad. I just do not like hanging around these people as they tend to be giant "D" bags.

eRat-a-Cat-er · Post by **eRat-a-Cat-er** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:05 pm

Topher wrote:Some of you are making some rather good points, but the fact remains that a lot of people who don't need SUV's buy them anyway. They hog the road and waste gas, but it is a total status symbol right now. (If you couldn't tell, I am not a fan of the SUV) Before you start with the but I but I but I's, just remember that people got along just fine before SUV's. Spare me the "Yeah well people rode horses and yadda yadda yadda". You can still live a modern life without an SUV. You are right, the Young Urban Professional was the original prototype that defined yuppies, and I think you see a lot of that living in Bozeman now (After they make the big bucks ofcourse). Oh and about wearing a ski coat, there is a difference between a practical winter jacket and the $400 state of the art high fashion piece o'crap that you see people buying. A yuppie obtains rediculous things beyond practicality, which actually beeing a proponent of Keynsian (spelling?) economics really is not that bad. I just do not like hanging around these people as they tend to be giant "D" bags.

SUV's aren't a conveniece for yuppies, they are an integral part of their lifestyle. You see, they require the protection a SUV provides while text messageing, watching DVDs and sipping lattes on those long drives to the mall. Furthermore, having a 4X4 or an all wheel drive SUV during the winter guarantees yuppies the security/protection of summer time driving safety year round.

Just protecting themselves from those other drivers out there that are constantly posing driving hazards!

lifeloyalsigmsu · Post by **lifeloyalsigmsu** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:53 pm

Topher wrote:Some of you are making some rather good points, but the fact remains that a lot of people who don't need SUV's buy them anyway. They hog the road and waste gas, but it is a total status symbol right now. (If you couldn't tell, I am not a fan of the SUV) Before you start with the but I but I but I's, just remember that people got along just fine before SUV's. Spare me the "Yeah well people rode horses and yadda yadda yadda". You can still live a modern life without an SUV. You are right, the Young Urban Professional was the original prototype that defined yuppies, and I think you see a lot of that living in Bozeman now (After they make the big bucks ofcourse). Oh and about wearing a ski coat, there is a difference between a practical winter jacket and the $400 state of the art high fashion piece o'crap that you see people buying. A yuppie obtains rediculous things beyond practicality, which actually beeing a proponent of Keynsian (spelling?) economics really is not that bad. I just do not like hanging around these people as they tend to be giant "D" bags.

I enjoyed my SUV.

I guess I am one of those douchebags that you have so eloquently described. I have the same Marmot jacket I've had for 10 years now. I guess I'm classified as a professional. I manage my money well and respect what I own; I trace that to my Montana roots.

I plan on moving back to the great Gallatin Valley so I can go back to a place I absolutely love.

I can only hope that as a "douchebag", I don't run into superficial, judgmental people like you who calls himself a Montanan.

BTW, if the SUV's pain you so much to see, there are openings with either the EPA, the Earth Liberation Front, or the Sierra Club.

Another Arrogant Griz Fan · Post by **Another Arrogant Griz Fan** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:48 pm

lifeloyalsigmsu wrote:
Topher wrote:Some of you are making some rather good points, but the fact remains that a lot of people who don't need SUV's buy them anyway. They hog the road and waste gas, but it is a total status symbol right now. (If you couldn't tell, I am not a fan of the SUV) Before you start with the but I but I but I's, just remember that people got along just fine before SUV's. Spare me the "Yeah well people rode horses and yadda yadda yadda". You can still live a modern life without an SUV. You are right, the Young Urban Professional was the original prototype that defined yuppies, and I think you see a lot of that living in Bozeman now (After they make the big bucks ofcourse). Oh and about wearing a ski coat, there is a difference between a practical winter jacket and the $400 state of the art high fashion piece o'crap that you see people buying. A yuppie obtains rediculous things beyond practicality, which actually beeing a proponent of Keynsian (spelling?) economics really is not that bad. I just do not like hanging around these people as they tend to be giant "D" bags.
I enjoyed my SUV.

I guess I am one of those douchebags that you have so eloquently described. I have the same Marmot jacket I've had for 10 years now. I guess I'm classified as a professional. I manage my money well and respect what I own; I trace that to my Montana roots.

I plan on moving back to the great Gallatin Valley so I can go back to a place I absolutely love.

I can only hope that as a "douchebag", I don't run into superficial, judgmental people like you who calls himself a Montanan.

BTW, if the SUV's pain you so much to see, there are openings with either the EPA, the Earth Liberation Front, or the Sierra Club.

Relax lifeloyal, if anyone calls you a "douchebag" it will more than likely be because you are a Cat fan, not because you drive a SUV.

go_catz! · Post by **go_catz!** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:56 pm

My, how I wish that I was as great of a person as some of you people obviously are. Its good to know that there are people living in Montana that know exactly what everyone should drive and wear.

Who the hell is one person to label another person by the coat they're wearing or vehicle that they're driving? Give me a break.

If a "yuppy" is a person wearing brand name clothing, what do you call people who wear the same clothing, but duct tape over the logo because they're too afraid of what people think about them?

Why would anyone be bothered at all by other people's possessions unless they're jealous??

whitetrashgriz · Post by **whitetrashgriz** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:09 pm

go_catz! wrote:My, how I wish that I was as great of a person as some of you people obviously are. Its good to know that there are people living in Montana that know exactly what everyone should drive and wear.

Who the hell is one person to label another person by the coat they're wearing or vehicle that they're driving? Give me a break.

If a "yuppy" is a person wearing brand name clothing, what do you call people who wear the same clothing, but duct tape over the logo because they're too afraid of what people think about them?

Why would anyone be bothered at all by other people's possessions unless they're jealous??

i agree. after reading more of these posts, this thread is garbage. i didn't know what a yuppy was, but apparently it's me. i work my ass of for my family and myself to have nice things. some are brand name things because i believe in quality. this thread is just a little too stereotypical for me. all i learned is that if you wear expensive clothes, drive a durango, like to ski, and go to other bars in town besides the crystal, scoop and molly, you are a "yuppy." sorry, but this is lame and offensive.

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:04 am

Topher wrote:Yuppie is a term that came from the eighties, sort of the quasi afluent upper middle class. Non-stop purchasing of non necessity items (i.e. an SUV) is sort of a yuppie cliche. Your average "soccer mom" is probably a yuppie. I am careful here because obviously there are people that drive SUV's or have kids that play soccer that aren't yuppies, these are just typical characteristics. Yuppies are sort of the hippie meets the Regan administration. Yuppie and hippie are actually two terms that really can not be defined, but you kind of know one when you see one. Like that guy that never showers with dread locks and the stained Widespreed Panic t'shirt is a hippie, while the fairly clean imaged, but still far too liberal person can also be labeled a hippie. For the yuppie, look for the ski rack havin, expensive coffee drinkin, SUV drivin, North Face Jacket wearin, Bank Account usin type. While there is a range of ways you could define a yuppie, this is a good place to start. Unfortunately it means labeling people, but come on. We do that regardless.

JUST for clarification the definition of "yuppie" is a derivative of the singular "yup" meaning " young urban professional". By strictist definition there can be no "yups" in Montana because the entire state does not make one singular "urban" anything.

Billings comes the closest, in an effort to try and become "urban" ii has only succeeded in becoming congested. Kinda like like a gangly 16 year old adolescent male whose voice squeaks everytime he trys to make a statement. Better off just letting him not talk at all.

So, technically, there are no Montana "yuppies" only knockoffs from true "yup-ville" locales.

However, all Boomers, with an income or investment portfolio with more than 50 G in it would carry the label. They are highly leveraged at the bank. Are still trying to own the world through plastic while financing their spoiled brat kids lifestyles because they(we) believe that's what you do when you are one.

SOOooooo, boomers living in Montana, though technically not a yuppie for all the above stated technicalities, are nontheless acting like those who are, all the while living in a totally, ( technically speaking ) RURAL state.

So I suggest a new name for all we call yuppies in Montana. " ORK" meaning, " Old Rural Knockoffs"! Now that's a label that fits! I am proud to be an ORK! Bring it.

Grizlaw · Post by **Grizlaw** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:18 am

whitetrashgriz wrote:i agree. after reading more of these posts, this thread is garbage. i didn't know what a yuppy was, but apparently it's me. i work my ass of for my family and myself to have nice things. some are brand name things because i believe in quality. this thread is just a little too stereotypical for me. all i learned is that if you wear expensive clothes, drive a durango, like to ski, and go to other bars in town besides the crystal, scoop and molly, you are a "yuppy." sorry, but this is lame and offensive.

I've been staying pretty silent throughout this thread because I'm fairly certain I probably fit nearly everyone's definition of "yuppie," but I also think a lot of what has been said here is fairly offensive.

If someone who makes a lot of money and has nice possessions is an a-hole, hate them because they're an a-hole. Don't hate them for what they have, and don't assume all people with nice cars and lots of toys are jerks -- doing so is no better than them assuming things about people who don't have money and toys.

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:50 am

Grizlaw wrote:
whitetrashgriz wrote:i agree. after reading more of these posts, this thread is garbage. i didn't know what a yuppy was, but apparently it's me. i work my ass of for my family and myself to have nice things. some are brand name things because i believe in quality. this thread is just a little too stereotypical for me. all i learned is that if you wear expensive clothes, drive a durango, like to ski, and go to other bars in town besides the crystal, scoop and molly, you are a "yuppy." sorry, but this is lame and offensive.
I've been staying pretty silent throughout this thread because I'm fairly certain I probably fit nearly everyone's definition of "yuppie," but I also think a lot of what has been said here is fairly offensive.

If someone who makes a lot of money and has nice possessions is an a-hole, hate them because they're an a-hole. Don't hate them for what they have, and don't assume all people with nice cars and lots of toys are jerks -- doing so is no better than them assuming things about people who don't have money and toys.

GL -- YOU ARE A YUPPIE just because you live in NY!!! Own it. I however am a ORK!

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:40 am

My definition of a yuppy - you drink at Starbucks.

UMclassof2002 · Post by **UMclassof2002** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:48 am

Yuppie = young urban professional

Grizlaw · Post by **Grizlaw** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:34 pm

catsrback76 wrote:GL -- YOU ARE A YUPPIE just because you live in NY!!! Own it. I however am a ORK!

*shrug* I'm ok with my yuppieness; I just don't see why it's a bad thing. Why is it that anyone who has achieved any modicum of financial success is presumed to be a "douchebag?"

My definition of a yuppy - you drink at Starbucks.

This is slightly OT, but I find it kind of interesting. Why is drinking Starbucks considered a yuppie trait? Maybe it's just a difference of how Starbucks is perceived in Montana vs. on the east coast; out here, it is considered basically the McDonald's of coffee shop chains. Do you consider anyone who drinks coffee from any coffee shop to be a yuppie, or is there a reason you're singling out Starbucks?

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:09 pm

Grizlaw wrote:
catsrback76 wrote:GL -- YOU ARE A YUPPIE just because you live in NY!!! Own it. I however am a ORK!
*shrug* I'm ok with my yuppieness; I just don't see why it's a bad thing. Why is it that anyone who has achieved any modicum of financial success is presumed to be a "douchebag?"

My definition of a yuppy - you drink at Starbucks.
This is slightly OT, but I find it kind of interesting. Why is drinking Starbucks considered a yuppie trait? Maybe it's just a difference of how Starbucks is perceived in Montana vs. on the east coast; out here, it is considered basically the McDonald's of coffee shop chains. Do you consider anyone who drinks coffee from any coffee shop to be a yuppie, or is there a reason you're singling out Starbucks?

Because I know of people who carry around an empty cup of Starbucks just to be seen with it. It isn't so much for yuppies (though plenty drink there) as it is for people who wish they were rich enough to be considered a yuppy.

Hell, Starbucks can't even use "small medium and large" for their sizes. What is, like tall grande and venti or something like that? Use of non-English words to try and promote how upperclass the place is. They have their own language. A lot of people go there to feel sophisticated.

I also hate how in big cities (please don't happen in Montana!) there is a Starbucks approximately every 800 feet.

"There is now a Starbucks in my pants." -- George Carlin

"The man drinks at Starbucks."

I'm not a big corporation man myself which is the main reason I don't drink at Starbucks (or shop at Walmart), but that isn't the issue.

This is a classic case of what I like to call "Green Day syndrom", named thusly because of the band. First, they are small-time with a select few people loving it. Then they start to grow and attract many more customers. Then they get so big that the original people who loved them stop going there even though nothing has changed except popularity. It becomes trendy to like it. After awhile people get sick of the popularity and it becomes trendy to hate it. Society is f'ed up I tell you. People tend to hate things that become larger than life (Microsoft, Starbucks, Micky Ds, Walmart, what have you). People love to hate things.

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:26 pm

Yeah, but maybe Starbucks became successful because they make a damn good cup of coffee! My beef with them is their exhorbitant prices. I can't believe anyone would walk around with an empty Starbucks cup just to look "cool," that is saddeningly funny. I think that makes them more of a "tool" rather than "cool." Personally, I always go everywhere with my own coffee cup - keeps my drinks warmer and reduces waste.

I think what grizlaw was asking is whether there is any difference between getting your coffee at Starbucks vs. at Rocky Mountain Roasting or Leaf and Bean? I think it is stupid to worry about where people like to hang out or like to buy their coffee. Who cares? There are so many things to worry about in your own life, why bother worrying about how others are living theirs?