Find your tribe

Apparently I am a ...

You are a Townie! Your job might be a bit boring but it brings home the bacon and helps you save up for those two weeks away to Spain. Your weekends are set in stone – trip to the shops in town, buy yourself something nice, head to the All Bar One with friends, have a laff, maybe go for a club, as long as there’s none of the indie weirdo music. Keep it straight, you say.



Most people have little choice but to start as Townies (unless, perhaps, your parents are artists, musicians or eccentrics!). You have to make a decision to join a different Tribe, to break away from normality, to find your own niche, and indeed many make this decision as they move through their teens. But then again, many do not…

This tribe is the core of the British population. Townies are relatively diverse in entertainment choices but unsurprisingly stick to mainstream options. Generally speaking, they possess conservative political views on subjects like asylum seekers and immigration. In some places the term ‘townie’ is used to refer to vaguely disruptive and boozy groupings closer to chavs, whilst in others it describes the mainstream in less pejorative terms. We refer to the latter.

TV celebs, talent contests and, still, soaps, are big with this bunch. No surprise, so is ‘consensus music’ like R’n’B, pop and mainstream hip hop. But music isn't ultimately a key cultural driver.
Instead, holidays and socialising score higher. Fashion-wise, think Ben Sherman, Ted Baker and Lyle & Scott for the boys and River Island and Miss Selfridge for the girls – complete with a winter tan. Ideas from Trendies often filter through to the Townies. And, interestingly, Ugg boots are as popular with Townies as with Rahs (though probably more like to be fake copies). Picture Cheryl Cole without the designer labels and you are well on your way.