How Not to Be Basic:
There’s nothing necessarily wrong with being basic, at times it has its value. When you’re trying to blend into the masses, are purposely seeking to be viewed as unoriginal, or are trying to embody the mindset of coloring within the lines please feel free to employ the following pillars of basicness. If you however are in the market for a unique brand that is specific to who you are as a person then avoid the following 5 bases of being basic.
1) Ordering a skinny vanilla latte at Satrbucks:
This screams basic. It says, “Yes, I’m a girl, yes I’m no more adventurous than, and am just as bland as, the sugarless vanilla flavored syrup.” It says that you would never consider breaking you’re safe routine because any form of the unfamiliar would most likely cause a nervous break down (I’m may be exaggerating a tiny bit, but I mean not really). It’s definitely ok to genuinely like vanilla flavoring, but come on you don’t want to go you’re entire life without experiencing any other flavored and/or style of coffee. Also, it’s ok to enjoy sugar every now and then. Actually your body needs the daunting white crystals to function (in moderation of course).
2) Going out on a date or just with friends to the same restaurant that only serves Americana and ordering a Cesar Salad, dressing on the side:
This is the same concept as the skinny vanilla latte. What, are you deathly afraid of spices? Next time take a cannonball leap into the amazing world of ethnic foods. Check out the Maharaja, order the chicken tikka masala, and yes throw caution to the wind by eating it with some Naan or Roti instead of your utensils! Order anything that’s spicy enough to make your eyes water and then if you can order a mango lassi instead of going out for like froyo after.
3) Speaking in Hash tags:
I’m beyond guilty of this, but in all honesty it is probably the most basic give away of someone being basic. It gives off the feeling that you spend way too much time making your cyber social life seem cool, so much so that you’re actual life fails in comparison. No one wants this, no one wants to hear “OMG, you’re so much cooler online than in person”. I know speaking in hash tags can be fun, especially when done in a sarcastic manner, but it’s very easy for initial mockery to turn into habit.
4) Choosing boat shoes to be your preferred form of footwear:
Yes, I’m referring to those Sperry’s that you bought specifically because you were going to school at Harvard. Newsflash ya’ll our classes are on land, not on the Charles. Don’t get me wrong I bought a pair right before I came here, but their practicality on an everyday basis just isn’t a thing. They scream conformity, which if you’re trying to avoid the bases of being basic is not good for that personal image. Try out some cute and comfy flats or boots, ones that exist outside of the neutral realm of coloration (i.e. brown, black, and nude).
5) Joining the Keep Calm and ___ Bandwagon:
Whatever you do try you’re very best to avoid advertising the Keep Calm and___ trend. It’s literally a red flag as to just how basic you really are. First of all owning multiple Keep Calm products (in my opinion) is suggestive of serious self-absorption. You actually need a reminder to keep calm because I mean being you is just so melodramatically stressful! How else would you make it through life without this overkilled trend?
Being basic sometimes is unavoidable, but as long as you make sure that none of the above become habitual aspects of your life then you’ll have successfully avoided being categorically basic!