Somewhere along the way, being “basic” became an insult. Liking pumpkin spice lattes and listening to Taylor Swift was suddenly a personality flaw. “Basic” became shorthand for unoriginal when all it really means is “widely enjoyed.”
Why do we treat shared joy like it is a crime against individuality?
The word basic did not start as a harmless joke; it began as a cultural insult. Originally, it was slang for someone who follows trends without much thought. Over time, it even led as a coded way of mocking people, especially women, for liking things that were “too popular.” Pumpkin spice lattes, Ugg boots, selfies even; they all became symbols of shallowness.
Social media made it worse, turning enjoyment into a meme. Suddenly, having a Starbucks cup in your hand was not just a drink choice; it was a statement about who you were – and apparently, who you were not. What started as a light tease became a label that polices what people, especially girls, are allowed to like without being ridiculed.
We say we value individuality, that we want people to be “authentic” and “different.” But second, someone enjoys something a little too mainstream; they are basic. It is like society only respects individuality when it looks unique enough to seem cool.
The irony is, liking something popular does not make someone any less original; it just means they have common tastes. People romanticize “not being like others” while shaming those who simply enjoy what they enjoy. It is exhausting! Individuality should not mean rejecting anything that is popular. It means knowing what you like and owning it, whether it is indie music or Starbucks drinks.
There is something beautiful about people liking the same things. Shared interests build connections. It is how friendships start, fandoms form and trends grow. When we call someone “basic,” we ignore that popular things grow popular for a reason: they make people feel good! There’s comfort in ordering the same drink as your friend or bonding over a show half the world is obsessed with. We spend so much time chasing originality that we forget community matters too. Sometimes being a part of the crowd is not mindless; it is human.
At the end of the day, being “basic” is not a flaw. It is proof that you are human to find joy in what is familiar. Liking what everyone else likes does not erase your individuality. It is just proof that you are a part of something bigger than yourself.
