"Nic really wishes she understood the absolutely hilarious reply to the Dutch equivalent of "Jesus, what's with fat chicks and knitting?" that was uttered by one of the ten or so gobby young 'men' on the train, because she's absolutely positive it must have been intelligent and insightful."
Yes, yes, societal norms, the fitting-in with your fellows, pack mentality etc etc etc. Everything can be explained in a psychological manner.
The kid who came out with the first comment may have been trying to assert his place of power within the group by drawing everyone's attention to him, via me. He might have confidence issues, he might have a problem with authority figures, he probably has something about himself that he doesn't like so is perhaps always the first to point out weaknesses in others, in the hope that no-one will notice his.
The comic of the group may want attention just as much as the leader, but perhaps realises that he doesn't quite have the strength to battle for that position, so deflects this flaw into making people laugh instead. He can hog the limelight as much as the leader, but because he's taken the role of fool, he'll never be considered a threat. The comic may also have sadness to bear in his life, depression, grief. It's not for nothing that you hear the greatest comedians are those who have the intelligence to make despair sound funny.
The rest are pack animals. Snarling for scraps of the action, trying to be accepted by copying the leaders, probably just hoping they won't be picked on next for any of their own perceived flaws.
Or they could all just be little devils with no consciences sent to make my day miserable.
It hardly matters because trying to find reasons to justify their behaviour doesn't make the outcome any different. They come across as little shits, and I go home feeling like one.
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