Stereotyping is a slippery staircase to step onto. Never mind the fact that the stereotypes are always changing, but they never seem to fully apply to anyone. With this noted, the stereotypical (and arguably typical) ‘Smuts’ boy is not Michal Blaszczyk.
Once you get past the strange name, you come across what can be described as a fairly strange person. Or, perhaps, he is only strange when seen walking behind a muscle-ridden, mullet-sporting ‘jock’ on his way out of Jan Smuts residence *laughs at the pun on ‘sporting’*. The only thing these two seem to have in common (besides the accident of harmonised living quarters) is that they both wear slippers upon their feet. Michal, however, does not adorn the same rugby shorts or arrogant smirk paraded by said ‘jock’.
Michal is not a fan of the Union or Friar Tucks (another characteristically ‘jock’ social location). “The only time I go to Friars is when I wake up the next morning with a stamp and can’t recall the previous evening’s events”.
The ‘jock’ profile doesn’t quite leave any space for Michal to insert his tall, skinny body. He does not play sport. He does not have a large group of testosterone-driven male friends. He does not actually have any friends in his residence. His social habits are different, “I’m not into going out and getting drunk [thinks for a moment]. Ok I do go out and get drunk but it’s not the same”. Perhaps the alcohol comparison was not the best illustration of the va
st gap between Michal and a ‘jock’. A better one, for example, is the way in which Michal professes his affinity for English. This is followed by a flitter of a shy smile. The simple statement which he utters, “I like reading” is something very alien to a ‘jock’ tongue. Over and above the fact that he does not fit in socially in Jan Smuts he finds that the dining hall itself does not hold much of an attraction. At a typical breakfast, lunch or dinner he prefers to sit by himself. He has friends in other halls with whom he socialises. Michal also finds the general atmosphere of the dining hall unpleasant. “I can see why they say Jan Smuts is the worst dining hall. It smells,” he turns up his mouth as he recalls his experiences. He adds, “It looks like animals have been eating there”.
Often described by his friends as a ‘drama kid’ Michal realises he doesn’t quite fit into his residence’s image. This aside, he has comes to terms with his situation. “Ja I suppose like I’m a bit eccentric compared to many of the guys in Smuts but I’ve gotten used to it.” Needless to say Michal has decided to go the digs route next year. It will certainly be a new experience living with a bunch of drama students
3 comments:
This was a very interesting profile to read because I have actually been wondering if there was one guy in Smuts that isn’t a jock. But I think the word jock has become unclear or uncertain, that is to say, if someone likes sport, does that automatically mean they are a jock? Because I think liking sport is just one aspect of being a jock, I think it is more their (by “their” I mean the “muscle-ridden, mullet-sporting ‘jock’” type that you mentioned) attitude to people outside their self important clique and to women in general. In saying that, I think the average Smuts boys have revolutionized their own unique form of jockness, which may lead them to walking in a large group on their way to the Union shouting “Smuts! Smuts! Smuts!” -(for what purpose I don’t know)-, by demeaning women and by wearing wife beaters 24/7. But it is good to know that the entire house isn’t comprised of the “jock” type, because the ego that transcends from that house is far too much!
This profile article attracted me at first because I am from Jan Smuts House so it always good to hear an outside point of view and what the residence is thought about. Stereotyping will always be part of any kind of institution and it could be bring in bad or good atmosphere. Though to me it was basically a story about “the stereotype of the Smuts Jock” and not really concentrated on the hero of the story. Although you have seemed quite antagonistic about the Jan Smuts lifestyle, as a matric student they would not be able to grasp enough information on your hero.
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