University uniform
Freaks and geeks
“They’re definitely Physicists Raj” claimed a fellow sociologist as we waited for all the students to filter out of our lecture theatre (for what was a 9am lecture there were a surprising amount of students awake in time – the first clue perhaps). It’s always been of great interest to me to see how we can pigeonhole people based on their appearance, in particular reference to their clothing, i.e. which college they’re from, their social background, their character and in this instance their subject. We’re all guilty of it – even I, the pervasive, and of course politically correct sociology student.
Continuing in this vein, I recall, we were at the Science site, and out they stepped, almost in single file, backpack-clad, discussing elaborate equations amongst themselves, each trying to outwit the other as they scurried away from the lecture theatre. With a look almost of disappointment upon their faces that the lecture was over. There was a distinct absence of colour as their onlookers were met with a sea of black fleeces, laces tied (in perfect double knots), hair gelled into a middle parting and thick, black rimmed intellectual looking glasses (perhaps slightly stereotypical). Equipped with their packed lunches, en masse they head towards the library (aka their second home). Is this not a description of all scientists/mathematicians come to think of it? Though chemists/biologists may be a notch (a very small notch) above the physicists in terms of geekiness. Their zipped up anoraks and backpacks brimming with folders were so cute (in a Paddington bear sort of way) in comparison to the eclectic sociologists/anthropologists handbags/Fairtrade cotton hold alls and Converse trainers.
Che Guevara was a murderer, and your t-shirt is not cool…
So, looking slightly displaced in one of the buildings up at the science site (what a trek) the collective group of strangely eclectic sociologists strolled into the lecture theatre. A multitude of colours moved to find seats, the radicals with unkempt hair and with a few sparse pages of a scrap book, others with Che Guevara t-shirts, oversized hoodies and a Deloitte shot gunned pen. Most with grit under the nails, the give-a-shit attitude, and tell tale signs of a overstayed Klute visit. This is our obligatory presence at one of the 4 lectures a week. A complete interference in the social timetable. Yes, socialising is an important aspect of research within a Sociology degree. Participant observation, as it is commonly known.
Elvet Riverside, the umm… fashion capital of
Generally, walking through the streets of Durham, it is highly perceptible that Languages students possess an air of culture about them as they swath yet more cloth, bangles and necklaces around themselves which hail from all the different countries they have had the pleasure of visiting. They are walking atlases-a human representation of globalisation. They merge into the economists coming out of Elvet Riverside, who are just… there. Clad in their jeans/denim skirts, shirts and Ralph Lauren jumpers, oh and of course, loafers…ready to jump on the PWC/Ernst and Young bandwagon. No bag necessary, simply a paper pad, pen and Blackberry phone. The Bill Gates’ of tomorrow- they’re all about “efficiency.”
Next onto the Historians- irrespective of how we try to identify and re-identify them we always seem to come full circle and identify them primarily as a homogenous group of rahs. Finally, Engineers- a floating, non distinct chameleon-like population. They can be whatever they want to be…All other subjects do not really exhibit particular characteristics that are worthy of being noted. You know, all the irrelevant ones.
Yet irrespective of subject/background/colour/creed/college-we’re all unified by one thing and one thing alone. Stash. Enough said.
Re-enforcing stereotypes, just what we need…
Maybe you should take a look at yourself and stop judging others.
This is simply turgid writing.
Clichéd.
Identifying scientists at the science site – A+ for effort.
Oh come on, Anon, it’s not a serious article! Lighten up!
Indeed it is a tongue-in-cheek article, but it doesn’t need to be serious to reinforce sterotypes. Anon probably has a point in that some people may feel they need to conform to stereotypes to “fit in”.
Maybe this would be an article better suited to Mostly Harmless or the Durham Sanctuary? ;-)
Ridiculous clichés and stereotypes aside..
I have most of my politics lectures in the science site and I do admit to feeling a little unclean when leaving the lecture hall: having to wade through all the filthy mumbling scientists and all.
One of the things I’ve found most striking about Durham is the number of people who contradict the usual stereotypes.
Rugby-playing chemists, classicists with thick northern accents, engineers who have a social life. All these people exist in Durham!
I think variety in fashion by subject does exist, but is more dependent on how many girls there are on the course than on any other thing…. With a female majority there’s always a variety of styles. Guys have less to choose from. Although male english students do tend to wear scarves, don’t see that in ecology much… some male ecologists replace these with beards or long hair (keeps out the cold). :-p
Chris Jefferies is a liar.
Engineers with social lives my arse!
Sorry Zaki, but I know at least two, who commonly out-drink me and seem to blag their way thru the course.
Chris – I’m sorry to tell you this, but one of them is a Classics student and the other one does Sociology. I’m sorry you had to find out this way. Oh, the elaborate, miserable web of lies.
Tim – this article is better suited to the Sanctuary than Mostly Harmless.
Brings nothing new to the table…zzz
I’d argue that language students aren’t so much a human representation as they essentially sod off to Europe/Russia for a year and then come back. Boy, is that globalised society or what?
A more interesting article would be about the demarcation of stash by subject.
“this article is better suited to the Sanctuary than Mostly Harmless.”
owch. that’s biting.
What do lawyers look like?
Lawyers look like durham21 editors. There are many lawyers
on the d21 team…
I smell a libel claim in there somewhere…
I would like to be bitten by Arthur. I also like being seen as globalisation in action, although I rarely wear bangles and necklaces from the places I’ve visited.
Whilst a completely unnecessary article, as we have all either heard it all before, or reached the conclusions ourselves, it did provide the following entertainment: Scientists, Arts and Language students all get there share of the “witty” tounge lashing, yet Sociology seems to escape unscathed!
The inaccuracies in this article have not been ironed out by the D21 editorial team (shame on you). A sociology student at a lecture? such a thing as ‘important aspects of research within a Sociology degree’?? We all know these things to be utter myth and, as elvet loos will tell you, we all know sociology degrees come from the bog roll despenser.
I think the balance has been restored
Haha, I haven’t laughed so hard as when I first saw that.
For those of you unbeknown to the best toilet graffiti in Durham, nay, the World, it is above the toilet roll dispenser and simply reads:
“Sociology Degree: Please take one!”
THANK YOU CHRIS J, you’ve obviously spoken to me as I am indeed a Classicist with a northern accent! I also have a friend who plays rugby and does chemistry so that was rather amusing! Tho to be fair I play the guess what subject game too so you know…who am I to judge…
A mathematician in the library?!?
How dare you sir.
No, the best toilet graffiti ever is the one that says “I’m 9 inches, do you want me?” to which someone has replied, “depends on how big your cock is”.
I now try not to read any more toilet graffiti: it’s only going to disappoint.
Hi there, I used to be a member of Hild Bede and thouroughly enjoyed my time particularly success on the rugby and cricket fields. It is not really the on filed activity that I miss the most but the banter and chat afterwards. I t has got me thinking that perhaps this site needs an article on the upcoming Lions tour to get a bit of sport debate going. If anyone is keen for this please leave a post below. I’ll leave this message at the bottom of a few articles to drum up support. Thanks, LA Jack.
loves it loves it loves it. i thought i was the only one who made such observations.
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