Mine? At the moment, it’s everything with respect to and in relation with Ocean’s Eleven. It was cool when I watched it. Cool now I re-watch it.
Just the principles involved - superior planning, smooth talking, no-neediness, ice drinks, Nevada casino’s, colour-brand suits, stylish looks, slow motion picture capture, high-tech thieves, glamorous women, charming men, pool tables, Vegas lights, city night-life and high-rises just give me a big buzz.
It’s cool without having to be cool.
But what, for you at least, defines what cool is? My friend digs everything “nerdy” (or so defined); glasses, Star-Trek, and sci-fi books. He thinks they rock.
I’d probably lean slightly towards your definition. A hint of kitsch, a knowing grin, a nicely-tailored suit and a big collar. Somewhere between 1950s Rat Pack and 1970s discos.
To me, coolness is mostly an attitude. It’s being level headed no matter what the circumstances. Knowing what to say and when to be silent.
But if it had a look or style I would say things that never are out of style. Leather jackets and traditional sunglasses. Flannel nightgowns and Levis.
Well, yes. But how many genuine individual free-thinkers are there? Every one I’ve met is just another member of another in-group, whether suit, goth, retro-kid or whatever. Maybe I’m just a bitter cynic, but every person who claims to never follow fashion, music, the media or any other cultural trend always seems to have at least one thing they cling to.
politeness, a certain wit, demonstrably non-fashionable clothing, staying away from popular clubs and other night spots (in fact pretty much staying home altogether), a large vocabulary laced with numerous archaic and esoteric terms, and interests in some rather arcane subject matters which leave many people shaking their heads in wonder.
Many people, perhaps most who know me, believe (mistakenly) that I am not cool, I am merely strange and boring. I do not care what they think, but I am somewhat lonely.
