Chavs, the controversial stereotype.

We have all heard of the word “Flaite” and its meaning. Low socioeconomic background, obnoxious personality, sports clothing and accessories, peculiar slang and loud music are some characteristics that come to mind. You may not know, but similar stereotypes can be found in countries all around the world and England is no exception.

The English equivalent of the Chilean “Flaite” is known as “Chav”. Also, many adaptations have derived from it, like “chavdom” and “chavtastic”. Unlike here in Chile, the use of this word is highly controversial and has acquired another connotation.

Initially, the word was defined by the Oxford dictionary as “Young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behavior and the wearing of (real or imitation) designer clothes”. Then, some years after its introduction, media and middle-class people started lightly using it to describe all working class and poor people. Quickly, this term began to be used in every-day conversation with an air of superiority and a bit of despise.

Now, the word is being used by a great part of the population as a cheap and acceptable way to passively insult the lower class and to strengthen class segregation. Imagine if a new word with the same meaning and connotation as the N-word started to be used in the United States with social acceptance. The only affected would be the people insulted and they would be unable to do anything to fight back.

Of course, there are some who refuse to accept this word and there are others who deem its use as harmless. Finally, it is down to each person to decide.

What if something like this were to happen with our precious word “Flaite”. Would you stop using it or would you see no problem with it?