Zamanfou: Difference between revisions
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'''Zamanfou''', also known as '''"ohaderfismos"''' (''[[Greek language|Greek]] "Ωχαδερφισμός"'') is a minor [[counterculture]] phenomenon in [[Greece]] which involves [[Social loafing]] as its principle characteristic <ref>[http://www.akyro.net/2007/05/03/social-loafing-%CE%AE-%CF%89%CF%87%CE%B1%CE%B4%CE%B5%CF%81%CF%86%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CF%8C%CF%82-%CE%AE-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%B9%CE%B4%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CF%8C%CF%82-%CE%AE-zamanfou/ Social loafing ή ωχαδερφισμός ή σταρχιδισμός ή… zamanfou.]. Retrieved on [[2007-08-20]].</ref>. |
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==Etymology== |
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The term is derived from the [[French language|French]] phrase''' "je m'en fous"''' (''foutre''). The French expression ''Je m'en fous'' became known by the Greeks before [[World War II]], when the [[French language]] was the most common foreign language in [[Greece]]. It was later adopted into everyday vocabulary, with Greek spelling and pronunciation. |
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'''Zamanfou''', also known as Zaman-Fu, as well as '''"ohaderfismos"''' ''[[Greek language|Greek]] "Ωχαδερφισμός"'' ("oh-brotherism"), or '''"starhidismos"''' ''[[Greek language|Greek]] "σταρχιδισμός"'' (off.), is a [[counterculture]] phenomenon in Greece, used to express indifference. It is the Greek equivalent of [[Timothy Leary]]'s "[[Turn on, tune in, drop out]]" of the 1960s. |
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The term is derived from the [[French language|French]] phrase''' "je m'en fous"''' (''foutre''), which can be translated as ''"I don't care/I don't give a damn/I couldn't care less''". The main idea behind this phenomenon is the perseverance and prioritization of the benefits for oneself. Someone who subscribes to this phenomenon is a ''Zamanfoutistas'', ''Starhidistis'', or ''Ohadelfistis''. |
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Although Zamanfou might be considered a social phenomenon in Greece, it is no different from [[Social loafing]], as this appears in other cultures or epochs. The individualism expressed by it results in many different stances and attitudes, depending on economic and cultural provenance, education level, political beliefs, and age of their actors, some of which including [[civil disobedience]], tax evasion, [[Conscription in Greece|military service evasion]], as well as vandalism and property destruction. |
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| ⚫ | Within the [[Military of Greece|Hellenic Armed Forces]] a form of ''zamanfou'' has developed, called ''[[Wiktionary:loafing|loufa]]''. It is yet another expression of the social loafing phenomenon as practiced within the army forces. Loufa, unlike Zamanfou, is practiced covertly by conscripts who may be held accountable for their actions. |
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Older Greek people{{Fact|date=May 2007}} would say that examples of this phenomenon were generally individuals between the ages of 16-25, but others can claim that (at least by [[2006]]), many representatives of this [[lifestyle]] are well beyond this age bracket{{Fact|date=May 2007}}. |
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The French expression ''Je m'en fous'', probably became known by the Greeks even before [[World War II]], when the [[French language]] was the most common foreign language in [[Greece]]. It was later adopted into everyday vocabulary, with Greek spelling and pronunciation. As with many slang words, the date of birth remains unknown, but the most common form in the older generation was in the expressions "Zamanfou ki apano turla" and "Zamanfou ke tria karta". But mainly represents{{Fact|date=February 2007}} the "αμπελοφιλοσοφία", the use of pompous but commonplace arguments for the support of a theory, of neo-Greeks. |
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As a popular mentality, it can be{{Fact|date=February 2007}} considered post-modern; as such, there is a difficulty in definition and controversy is in its nature. The easiest way of defining it, is as an antithesis, ie a reaction to a common belief. So Zamanfou is mainly an individualistic reaction to the "common good" as it is expressed by the "ruling majority". It certainly has an existential tone and can be included in the broad existential umbrella. The individualism of Zamanfou is mostly passive -that you don’t care- rather than active -like in greed is good. Without trying to resort to moral philosophy, this passive attitude also expresses indifference, sometimes only to the society as a whole, but sometimes even to the more personal circle of social behavior. |
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The idea that brought Zamanfou about was initially based on the belief to forget your stress and consciously disregard the shoddy state{{Fact|date=February 2007}} of Greek society, and try to have a good time with what you have. |
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This individualism resulted in many different stances and attitudes, depending also on economic and cultural provenance, education level, political beliefs, and age of their actors. Lack of consideration, [[civil disobedience]], tax evasion, "hit-and-run" social and personal behaviour and mentality, [[Conscription in Greece|dodging the draft]], vandalism and property destruction, total disregard for most of the common law, "screw the rest of the world" mentality have been common expressions of this phenomenon. It was and continues to be thought{{Fact|date=February 2007}} of as a form of [[insubordination]] against the State and the Greek status quo, both on a conscious and an unconscious level. |
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==Expressions== |
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{{OR|section|date=August 2007}} |
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Greeks, whenever they occasionally are forced to subscribe to this ideology, use a characteristic phrase: ''"Write everything on your [[testicles]]"'', which is the literal translation from [[Greek language|Greek]]. |
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Other interesting relevant Greek phrases are ''"ston poutso mou"'' ("on my [[penis]]") or "'''''στ'αρχίδια μου'''''" ("on my testicles"). In case you don't want to use curse words, you can convert the original phrase to ''"στα τέτοια μου"'' ("on my unmentionables"), implying your ''[[testicles]]''. In chatrooms, there are some characters that express the above, helping avoid using the actual curse words. For example the testicles are abbreviated as <tt>@@</tt> (''"στα @@ μου"'' instead of ''"στ' αρχίδια μου" or "στα παπάρια μου"''). There is the "'''<tt>\/</tt>'''" string that describes a hand gesture (see below). Inside the Greek culture, figuratively ''writing someone at your [[testicles]]'' was and is supposed to be a gesture of utter contempt for the person you are referring to. Additionally, in order to express indifference towards someone's concern, the phrase ''"μη μου ζαλίζεις τα αρχίδια"'' ("don't drive my testicles dizzy") or ''"μη μου πρήζεις τα αρχίδια"'' (don't bloat my testicles) is used, similar to the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] "No me toques los cojones". |
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===Hand gestures=== |
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''Zamanfou'' is not just a mentality; Greeks use lots of physical movement and body language to complement their speech. One can use a characteristic hand movement to accompany the exclamation of one being in [[indifference]]: The hand movement is done by driving the hand toward the genitalia in a pointing fashion. The exact way this is done depends on the mood of the practitioner and to whom they are addressing. This is also a part of Zamanfou. Most of the times these gestures are followed by an exclamation of satisfaction or contempt by saying ''"naaaaa"'' (meaning "Heeeere"). |
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== Loufa == |
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| ⚫ | Within the [[Military of Greece|Hellenic Armed Forces]] a form of ''zamanfou'' has developed, called '' |
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As the conscripts are under-utilised in menial tasks {{Fact|date=March 2007}}, they quickly learn the ways of loufa, since the Greek army offers no incentives for doing a good job {{Fact|date=March 2007}}. Parallels could be drawn between the Greek notion of loufa in the army, and [[passive-aggressive behavior]] that was described in the US Army in the 40s. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Social loafing]] |
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==References== |
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*[[indifference]] |
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{{reflist}} |
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*[[nihillism]] |
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*[[pessimism]] |
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*[[cynicism]] |
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*[[Ethical egoism]] |
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==Sources== |
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*''Misfortune of being Greek'' (''Η δυστυχία του να είσαι Έλληνας''). of [[Nikos Dimou|Nikos Dimou (Νίκος Δήμου)]], |
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*''Apology of an Anti-Greek'' (''Απολογία ενός Ανθέλληνα''). of [[Nikos Dimou|Nikos Dimou (Νίκος Δήμου)]], |
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*''Without the Greeks'' (''Ερήμην των Ελλήνων''). of I. M. Panagiotopoulos (Ι. Μ. Παναγιωτόπουλος), |
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==Notes== |
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<references /> |
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[[Category:Greek culture]] |
[[Category:Greek culture]] |
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[[Category:Sociology]] |
[[Category:Sociology]] |
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[[Category:Lifestyle]] |
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{{culture-stub}} |
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Revision as of 10:47, 20 August 2007
Zamanfou, also known as "ohaderfismos" (Greek "Ωχαδερφισμός") is a minor counterculture phenomenon in Greece which involves Social loafing as its principle characteristic [1].
Etymology
The term is derived from the French phrase "je m'en fous" (foutre). The French expression Je m'en fous became known by the Greeks before World War II, when the French language was the most common foreign language in Greece. It was later adopted into everyday vocabulary, with Greek spelling and pronunciation.
Background
Although Zamanfou might be considered a social phenomenon in Greece, it is no different from Social loafing, as this appears in other cultures or epochs. The individualism expressed by it results in many different stances and attitudes, depending on economic and cultural provenance, education level, political beliefs, and age of their actors, some of which including civil disobedience, tax evasion, military service evasion, as well as vandalism and property destruction.
Within the Hellenic Armed Forces a form of zamanfou has developed, called loufa. It is yet another expression of the social loafing phenomenon as practiced within the army forces. Loufa, unlike Zamanfou, is practiced covertly by conscripts who may be held accountable for their actions.
See also
References
- ^ Social loafing ή ωχαδερφισμός ή σταρχιδισμός ή… zamanfou.. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
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