An Anonymous J.A.P., 19 Unspecified Midwestern Liberal Arts School
You know the type. They drank Mocha Lattes at the Starbucks after high school, wore shoes at 16 that would have looked extravagant on a 30-year-old, and drank martinis when you were still working on your rum and Coke. Now, with a Blackberry in one hand and Pinkberry in the other, they rule the Quad, the sorority, and the local dive. We got a real live Jewish American Princess to answer some questions about the culture. Her name is withheld, but she’s for real.
Why do call yourself a J.A.P.?
Because I’m proud of it. I think some people think that it has bad connotations, but I don’t see it that way. It’s a really positive self-image, very confident and self-assured. It was the norm for girls growing up in New York City. If you were called a princess you felt like you were doing something right. I’ve heard it used synonymously with ‘snob,’ but I think it’s a lot more innocent. You can still act like a J.A.P. and be a perfectly nice person. ‘Down to earth’ and ‘J.A.P.’ aren’t contradictory terms.
What does it mean to be a J.A.P.?
It’s really a mindset, I think. It’s about confidence in your own personal style, and about how you carry yourself. Wearing nice clothing is only half of it. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with a lifestyle that breeds confidence in girls. The makeup I’ve seen girls wear can be a little much, but a little bit of self-esteem can go a long way.
Where did you get those Uggs?
[Laughs.] The Ugg store in Soho.
Pinkberry or Jamba Juice?
Pinkberry, definitely.
