Essex - the most stereotyped county in England?

Question

In Essex, girls are labelled as blonde haired bimbos with white stillettos and dancing around handbags whilst guys are chavs with spikey hair and loafers. Where did this stereotype come from. And are you guilty of being typically Essex?

Answer 1

The stereotype you describe is attributable to the proximity of Essex to London. As a consequence of this the population has increased greatly. As Londoners leave the city for perceived "safer" neighbourhoods, cashing in on city prices to escape London. Docklands is one example where the locals have "left home".The description "Essex girl" applies almost exclusively to a predictable socio/economic class. This group in the main know very little about rural Essex, confining their activities to Towns and population centres. True Essex remains for the majority of these people, a mystery, and their attitudes and behaviour are confined in the main to recognisable locations. Long may it remain so!

Answer 2

I love being an Essex girl. Most people love my cockney-ish accent.

I have no idea where the stereotype comes from but if it gives people a laugh, then that's all for the good.

Essex has some of the most beautiful villages and countryside anywhere in the world too.

Answer 3

Lol I'm Yorkshire and proud! I don't have blonde hair and I earn quite a lot of spendoolies a year. There are thick people no matter where you go.

Essex gets it's name because of all the dumb topless models that came out of it. E.g Jodie Marsh she's wants to be Jordan but without the class! It was never gonna happen. So the reason it's stereotypical is the famous people who came out of it are thick so everyone gets tarred with the same brush.

Answer 4

I know what you mean. But its not just essex that has a bad rep. Apparently, if you live in Devon, you drink cider and have a bit of straw hanging out your mouth and say arrrr a lot. If you are from liverpool you wear tracksuits all the time and if you are scottish you always wear a kilt and drink a lot.
A lot of the stereotyping comes from comedy shows (eg Harry Enfield's scouse brothers).
Because a lot of people haven't been to these places, they take it as fact. Sad, but true. I have never been to Australia and I imagine a country full of Steve Irwin's.(RIP mate!!)

Answer 5

It came from the blonde bimbos and chav guys in essex.
Did you here about the blonde essex girl who was walking on the path by the river? She saw her blonde friend Tracey on the other side and shouted "how do I get to the other side?" Tracey said "dont be silly, you're already there.

Answer 6

I think Yorkshire probably could rival Essex for stereotyping

I don't have a whippet on a bit of string
curlers in my hair, corned beef legs or a Les Dawson type bust
and don't go round saying 'Eee bah gum' or 'Ecky thump' all the time!

We're a pretty cosmopolitan bunch you know especially in Leeds, York and Harrogate!

Answer 7

I'm blonde and was born in Essex, but my stillettos are all either black or red. Size 10

Answer 8

I do agree - Essex is probably the worse - however I live in Scotland - not that far away from Glasgow I suppose - and everyone outside Scotland assumes you're a "hookter chookter"!

Answer 9

Probably - aside from London, it's pretty much the only place that everyone in the world seems to know!

And yes, I'm an Essex girl and proud!

Answer 10

I'd say yorkshire could give it a run for it's money (for stereotypes) it depends if you are from the north or the south of the country I s'pose.