Dres 2041213 220625511 2008-06-20T19:38:26Z Rossami 9709 link fix {{otheruses}} '''Dres''' or '''dresiarz''' (plural ''dresy'' or ''dresiarze'') is used in [[Poland]] to describe a certain [[subculture]]. They usually originate from smaller towns, poor city districts, or [[towerblock]] areas in larger cities, and are usually unemployed. The term itself refers to the wearing of the [[tracksuit]], which in [[Polish language|Polish]] is known as the ''dres''. The ''dresiarz'' subculture was first observed in the 1990s. It would later partially merge with the [[hooligan]] subcultures. ''[[Karks]]'' ({{lang-pl|''karki''}} - "necks" or [[rednecks]]) and ''[[blokers]]'' ({{lang-pl|''blokersi''}} "block-people") are related but not synonymous terms. ==Appearance and habits== The dresiarz is manly and automobile-oriented. Documented habits include: * Wearing [[tracksuits]]. * [[Trainers]], often with stripes, are usually worn by them. The poor dresiarz can easily be recognized by the ''four'' or ''five'' stripes imitating the Adidas ''three'' stripes. True brand-name shoes and clothing are found primarily among the rich dresiarze. * Crew cuts, excessive use of hair gel, undercuts on a central parting. * [[Weight lifting]] and/or [[strength training]] in gyms. * Affection for automobiles, especially older versions of the [[BMW 3]] or [[BMW 5]], or [[VW Golf]] (most likely Mk2), and the [[Opel Calibra]] but also other older German cars (such as eg. [[Mercedes-Benz W124|Mercedes W124]]), or in the case of the poorer ''dresiarze'' before accession to [[EU]] -- a modded [[Polish Fiat 126p]]. * Keeping aggressive [[dog breeds]], such as the [[Pit Bull]] or [[American Staffordshire Terrier]] as pets (sometimes kept to participate in dog fights). * Their female counterparts are known as ''szmule'', ''suczki'', ''blachary'' or ''niunie''. They often have bleached platinum [[blonde]] or pitch black dyed hair and wear [[mini-skirt]]s and [[crop top]]s. ==Research and cultural influences== [[Dorota Masłowska]]'s ([[Nike Award|Nike]] audience award) literary novel ''White and Red''<ref>''Wojna polsko-ruska pod flagą biało-czerwoną''. Warsaw 2002: Lampa i Iskra Boża, ISBN 83-86735-87-2 (UK edition: ''White and Red'', Atlantic Books, ISBN 1-84354-423-7; US edition: ''Snow White and Russian Red'', Grove Press, ISBN 0-8021-7001-3)</ref> is one of the first books published featuring the ''dresiarz'' phenomenon. In [[popular culture]], ''dresy'' have been a theme of (usually critical) songs by [[Dezerter]] and [[Big Cyc]]. They are also popular negative characters in comic [[Jeż Jerzy]]. ==Related terms== *''Kark'', meaning "neck" and a short for ''byczy kark'' ("bull neck"), is most used in connection with weight lifting; a person perceived as a ''kark'' may be wearing neither trainers nor a tracksuit, but shares most other elements of stereotypical ''dres'' behaviour. The term may also refer to lower-ranked members of gangster groups. *''Blokers'' -- a term for a young person exhibiting anti-social behaviour, living in commieblock area (''blok'' in [[Poland|Polish]]). This term was used first time circa 1995 by Robert Leszczyński, a Polish music critic and journalist. * ''ABS'' shortened form from ''Absolutny Brak Szyi'', means "absolute lack of neck", see "kark" (''ABS'' derives from Antilock Braking System) ==See also== Other youth subcultures that resemble Dres: *[[Ah beng]] ([[Singapore]]/[[Malaysia]]) *[[Bogan]] ([[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]) *[[Chav]] ([[England]]) *[[Harry (derogatory term)|Harry]] ([[Norway]]) *[[Naco (slang)|Naco]] ([[Mexico]]) *[[Ned (Scottish)|Ned]] ([[Scotland]]) *[[Racaille]] ([[France]]) *[[Spide]] or [[wikt:millie|Millie]] ([[Northern Ireland]]) *[[wikt:scanger|scanger]] ([[Republic of Ireland]]) ==External links== * {{pl icon}} [[Wojciech Orliński]], [http://www.gildia.pl/film/rozmaitosci/texty/dres/dresiarze MUZEUM NARODOWE KULTURY MASOWEJ: Dresiarze] * {{pl icon}} [http://www.cyber.com.pl/archiwum/11/15.shtml Cyber: 3/98: Dola dresiarza]. Note the commentary at the bottom, by Polish sociologist [[Anna Mikołejko]] * {{pl icon}} Jakub Dąbrowski, Dialogi Polityczne, 5–6 — październik 2005 r. [http://www.dialogi.umk.pl/dresiarze-antropologia-chuliganie.html O tym, dlaczego dresiarze noszą dresy. Rozważania nad antropologią odzieży sportowej w subkulturach chuligańskich] ==References== <references/> [[Category:Slang by language]] [[Category:Subcultures]] [[Category:Polish culture]] [[Category:Polish society]] [[pl:Dresiarze]] [[ru:Гопник]] [[uk:Гопнік]]