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The social strata in America
currently has grown to include a wide range of
classes. An obvious contrast stands out
blatantly between Bikers, a relatively new
social class, and the elusive American
aristocracy. Without being overly critical in
such a comparison, let us examine their
diversity logically, using the basic structure
of all human needs food, shelter, and health. A
vast wealth of personal preferences and choices
intertwined with the primary necessities add
color to each perspective listed. Without
regard to political correctness, let us
continue.
The first of
these basic necessities is to nourish the body.
Breakfast starts the day, providing a
foundation and energy for progressing
throughout the day’s activities. In the
midmorning shade of his private gazebo, the
monied aristocrat pleasantly enjoys a gourmet
meal of quiche, fresh fruit, and homemade
croissant, prepared by his personal chef, and
served by an impeccably groomed butler.
Conversely, the biker, swatting various sizes
of water bugs and roaches from the rickety
kitchen table, has his "Old Lady" slam together
a Denver omelet, topped with Tabasco, which
runs down the side of his plate like pancake
syrup.
Later in the day,
the aristocrat (let’s call him Art) enjoys a
leisurely lunch of Caesar salad and finger
sandwiches with his golfing buddies down at the
country club. The biker, (hereafter referred to
as Butch) stops for a bite at "EATS", a well
known truck stop somewhere in the middle of
Texas on I-10. The smell of burnt diesel, fried
onions, and greasy hamburgers permeates the air
throughout the restaurant as Butch hungrily
awaits a triple-decker cheeseburger with
fries.
Dinnertime finds
Art dining on Lobster Thermador or Prime Rib
served on fine china in one of New York’s
exclusive dining establishments, while Butch is
gorging himself on bar-b-que beef sandwiches,
served on paper plates at a neighborhood block
party. No meal would be complete without a fine
beverage. We find Butch swatting mosquitoes,
and sweating almost as much as the 15-gallon
keg of Budweiser, as he helps himself to all
the beer he can drink. Each beer is of course
preceded by a shooter of Kentucky Bourbon. On
the contrary, Art is swirling the last sip of
wine, a rare bottle of vintage Bordeaux, and
savoring the final morsel of his lobster.
Snapping his fingers at the waiter, he orders a
bottle of Don Perignon.
As mentioned
above, shelter is the second basic need, and
our comparison again provides a strange
combination of antonyms and synonyms. Based of
the ideal of conspicuous consumption, the
modern American aristocrat, Art resides in
classic stone mansion surrounded by acres of
immaculately manicured grounds and gardens. In
addition, this real estate includes a hanger
large enough to park his plane and RVs within,
all of which is safeguarded by a security gate
and complicated digital alarm system. Butch has
a 60-foot singlewide mobile home that sits in
the middle of an acre of land. Surrounded by a
6-foot chain link fence, "Rusty" his pit bull
guards the property like a sniper. "Dusty" his
sawed-off shotgun remains loaded with buckshot
perched above the front door as a backup. The
vast amounts of land allow each to become
experts in horticulture and botany, each
pursuing their individual specialty. The
millionaire cultivates rare hybrid roses and
orchids, while the Butch grows an acre of
marijuana amidst rows of corn.
Next, we find
that personal hygiene and health considerably
widen the gap between the bikers and the
aristocrats. Elegant spas with adjoining saunas
are used daily by the wealthy. Butch finds
natural lakes and ponds can be refreshing when
nearby. The Art has a personal physician tend
to his medical needs, prescribing Prozac and
Valium to compensate for the pressures of such
high-class living. The Butch keeps a personal
pharmacy, complete with variously acquired
prescription drugs and controlled substances,
regularly self-administering LSD or speed to
keep him socially maladjusted.
Social behavior
finds some threads common to both cultures.
Both men enjoy clubs, music, public gatherings,
romance, love, and sex. These things play
important roles in maintaining convivial
atmospheres. The bikers are generally
associated with the Hells Angels (or other
related organizations), and the rich generally
belong to private polo and country clubs. Music
being considered the universal language,
bridges both our subjects, and they enjoy
harmony very much. Art prefers the soothing
sounds of jazz, and classical concertos, while
Rock’ N’ Roll and cry in my beer, Country
Western are the chosen jams by Butch.
Aristocrats gathering in large numbers, to
socialize, sometimes will fill a theater, like
the Teatro La Scala, in Milan, Italy, to it’s
maximum of 2,200 seats. At these classic
architectural marvels, art is entertained with
classic Shakespearean plays or a world-renown
operatic diva. Conversely, the bikers have
shown up on their Harley Davidson motorcycles
in Sturgis, S.D. 220,000 strong, every
year.
On the lighter
side, romance aristocratic style may offer a
private jet to cruise on his yacht in the
moonlight of the Caribbean Sea or South Pacific
Ocean. Butch affectionately offers his woman, a
private tour into the Badlands of South Dakota
on a starry night on the back of his bike. Art
demonstrates his love by sending dozens of
roses, while Butch delivers a crimson negligee
with a rose strategically embroidered. The
areas of intimacy and sex must also be
addressed, to shed a penetrating light on the
psyche of both groups. In the quietness of dim
candlelight, secluded in a room, the Art
physically demonstrates his love, while Butch
prefers broad daylight at a Grateful Dead
Concert to confess spontaneous expressions of
passion and desire.
Pets make fine
companions to both. Art prefers a flawlessly
groomed, pedigree Great Dane, which he can take
on a leisurely stroll about the grounds of his
estate. In Butch’s yard, we find Rusty the pit
bull who lives to terrorize any and all cats or
anything for that matter that is unlucky enough
to capture his attention.
Education clearly
defines ones ability to solve the daily
problems in life. Having been around the block
more than once Butch learns very fast. On more
than one occasion Butch has cleverly eluded
Police, the IRS, collection agencies and
ex-girlfriends. Art has been around the world
more than once, having been educated in many of
the finer institutions, is an eternal student
or so he pretends to be.
Travel for the
rich yearly visit many exotic places, all
around the world, collecting fine art and
antiques. Butch also takes frequent trips
importing illegal contraband, often without
ever leaving a sneeze. He, too, appreciates
art, but prefers to have it tattooed on his and
his "Old Lady’s" body where he can show it off
wherever he goes.
Economically
speaking, Art is an entrepreneur, applying his
education and vastly increasing his legacy.
Furthermore, he lives off the interest from an
inherited estate. Butch is borne into a class
of a blue-collar worker who lives off a weekly
paycheck, SSI, and drug money.
The rise in crime
in these American states and other parts of the
world sharpens the wit in this phylum. Art
keeps his valuables locked in a safe, and
drives a $300,000 Rolls Royce. Butch stashes
his valuables in diverse places, many of which
he has no memory of later in time, and jumps on
a classic $25,000, 1932 Harley Davidson.
Personal protection for Art consists of a can
of mace, and fumbling for a cell phone, while
for Butch, it is a eight inch razor sharp buck
knife and stainless steel double action .44
magnum.
Jewelry and
clothing provide some similarities. Both men
desire to possess high quality silks, satins,
and leather. The aristocratic woman is adorned
with gold, silver, and of course diamond
earrings. The biker chick wears chrome-studded
chokers, chains, gold and silver earrings, nose
rings, tongue studs, etc. A boot knife and
stainless steel .38 caliber revolver complete
the ensemble to make her a feme-fetale, a lure
for any would be prairie dog. The silks, satin
dresses, and ball gowns, which fill the
heiress’s closets, give way to the biker’s
azure satin sheets, silk teddies, and
crotchless panties. Leather and fur are musts
for both sets. To the rich, leather upholsters
the seats of the Rolls, and mink keeps the
wives warm at the opera. To the biker,
miniskirts, chaps and, black jackets made of
fine leather is preferred. Furthermore, fur
lines the boots and the toilet seat.
Despite the many
differences of the aristocrat and the biker, I
have pointed out many common areas as well in
personal and social areas. However, I feel that
the philosophical differences embodied in the
following phrases say it all: the biker says
"Ride hard, die fast," and the aristocrat says
"You can lead a whore to culture, but you can’t
make her think."
12-23-99
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