12 'Portlandia' Things That Went Over Your Head
Growing up in Portland taught me a lot about my environment. I'm convinced that we can take away many lessons from the show Portlandia thanks to its odd moments and interesting storylines. If you've ever lived in a gentrified neighborhood, or an artsy or LGBT community, I think these things will certainly resonate with you. Here are 12 things Portlandia pointed out that probably went right over your head.
12 A Boutique That Doesn't Make Money Is An Ego Booster
The skit "2 Girls 1 Shirt" made it clear that anyone who owns a boutique and never sells a thing because the inventory is grossly overpriced is just an ego trip for store owners.
11 The 90s Was A Confusing Period
Portland thrives on being very 90s-esque and it's no wonder that this is the case. The 1990s was such a weird period filled with bad pop and grunge bands. What's great about Portland is it embraces the weirdness hence the motto "Keep Portland Weird."
10 Patriarchy Is Alive And Well In Corporate America
When you imagine a patriarchal structure, one thing is for sure, Portlandia illustrated it really well. The owners of the feminist bookstore Women and Women First experienced first-hand discrimination in the workplace when they were asked to compete for only one role that neither of them would get because they were women.
9 Kick-Starter Funding Mostly Comes From One Rich Relative
Kick-starter campaigns when done right are well-funded and some are still awesome but bring nothing in. In one episode, Portlandia illustrated how when we make Kick-starters we are pretty much begging friends and family for money to fund a venture that they probably have a hard time believing in the first place but fund out of love.
8 Don't Go To A Dog Park When You Don't Want Your Dog To Interact With Others
It's so aggravating to bring your dogs to the park to interact with people and other dogs only to get shut down by the snob dog and snob owners. Every dog park has one. I just can't bring myself to understand why people bring their dogs to functions and spaces where the dogs can't even play with other dogs.
7 Waiting In Line For Brunch Is A Waste Of Time
Every hipster city has new and happening brunch spots with the most tantalizing menus. All someone needs to say to me is "bottomless mimosas" and I'll wait the few hours it takes to get in. In one episode, Portlandia added some satire by making the line miles long with every single type of person imaginable in the city of Portland who also wanted to try the stellar revolutionary pancakes.
6 Not Using Reusable Bags Is A Middle Finger To The Environment
Don't go to Portland or any other trendy city without a reusable bag. The cashier will be very offended if she has to ask you if you need a bag for your grocery items. Don't you know that you are saving the world, one bag at a time? Who cares if you've got a cart of groceries? You should have been better prepared with six reusable bags.
5 A Long Netflix Binge Leads To Unemployment
Starship Galactica was Portlandia's perfect example of how people get so engulfed in a TV show and keep making excuses for watching the complete series regardless of commitments. Just take Portlandia's word for it. You'll be filthy, have eaten all your snacks, you'll cancel every important meeting, and you'll be jobless after a while.
4 City Bikers (And Drivers) Are Angsty And Entitled
Portlandia created a character that resonates with the entire biking community. He's angry, he's fast, and he demands his biker rights. They portray the personalities of car drivers and the ongoing struggle to get along with the bikers.
3 Reading Is A Competitive Sport
Have you ever had that one friend that asks you if you read something and if you have not, you instantly feel less than for no logical reason at all? The cast of Portlandia taught us that being liberal and artistic means being well-read and well-informed. You've better come with your A-game when you come to a coffee date with snooty hipsters.
2 People Expect You To Be Free When You Work From Home
There's nothing more aggravating than sitting in my home office only to be nudged to do things that have nothing to do with work because I'm home so I may as well, right? No! I'm working and I had to show friends and family this skit just to prove I'm not the only one annoyed about this. I don't work in a corporate office but I'm still super busy!
1 Concert Promoters Are Wildly Invasive
Promoters go a little wild when promoting a concert or local show. Sketchy guys handing out flyers, CDs, promotions via graffiti on the Krog tunnel -- those are all how word usually gets around but sometimes it gets a little more invade. Promoters, stop forcing me to grab your Vistaprint flyers then placing them under my windshield wiper, in the cracks of each door etc. Notice they all end up in the garbage can or streets.
