Schwarting - CAPS 5

Mara Schwarting

CAPS Blog #5

Our knowledge about other places is largely influenced by popular culture (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p.373).  Popular culture though provides a perception of a certain group of people that may or may not be true.  This could cause stereotypes since we base our perceptions off of cultural texts. If you go into a situation knowing about that group, you are more than likely to engage in more in depth conversation (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p.376).  We must take cultural texts and figure out fact from fiction in order to not promote stereotypes. 

The cast of Jersey Shore

One of the biggest pop culture show out there is Jersey Shore.  Jersey Shore is an American phenomenon that has swept the nation since 2009.  While watching six seasons of Jersey Shore, I have categorized what your typical Guido is made out to be according to this show.  A Guido drinks a lot, is not afraid to be confrontational and is constantly thinking about the next person they are going to “smush”.

It seems like every season that one of the cast members gets arrested from an alcohol related event.  They go out every night to the club karma and dance the night away either doing the jersey fist pump or the jersey turnpike.  Lets just say, these people like to party.

Snookie getting arrested
 for public intoxication

All the cast members of jersey shore have strong opinions, so they clash through out most of the season.  Whether it is the never-ending feud between Snooki and Mike or the typical bickering between Ron and Sammi, there is always yelling and then making up. 

Lastly, a Guido’s most important goal in life is to have sex with as many girls as he can.  They decided if a girl is DTF, or down to fuck, at the club and if she is, they take her home.  If she is not, she is left at the club.  If you’re a Jersey Shore women, your biggest goal is dressing as sexy as you can and competing with the other women out there for the “juiceheads”. 

This show is what most of the United States believe about every urban Italian American.  These stereotypes are only based off of eight cast members who were chosen to be on the show.  Since this is the only media we see about these Italian Americans, this is how we think they all are.  Many Italian Americans find this show insulting to their culture so choose not to watch it or play into the stereotypes.  The way to find out the truth about this culture, you must either read factual information, watch documentaries or actually visit these people.  The people watching these shows have to realize that this is a “reality show” and is not real life.

 The Best of Jersey Shore

Reference:

Martin, N. J., & Nakayama, K. T. (2012). Intercultural Communication in Contexts. Chicago: McGraw Hill .