Misplaced Pages

Janusz (stereotype)

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Paradygmaty (talk | contribs) at 13:29, 6 January 2025 (based on: https://pl.wikipedia.org/Janusz_(okre%C5%9Blenie)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 13:29, 6 January 2025 by Paradygmaty (talk | contribs) (based on: https://pl.wikipedia.org/Janusz_(okre%C5%9Blenie))(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Janusz is a pejorative term used in Poland by Poles to describe individuals embodying stereotypical negative traits attributed to their own society. Typically depicted as a middle-aged man with a mustache, he is often portrayed wearing a white tank top, white socks paired with sandals, and having a large belly, frequently carrying a discount store shopping bag. Janusz's favorite pastimes include drinking beer and watching television. The archetypal Janusz is sometimes illustrated with the head of a proboscis monkey.

The stereotypical partner of Janusz is Grażyna, characterized as unintelligent, with backcombed or permed hair, a penchant for shopping, and an interest in gossip. Both Janusz and Grażyna are often portrayed as discussing topics beyond their understanding, behaving cunningly, and disregarding social etiquette. Their children, exemplifying stereotypes associated with younger Poles, such as aversion to work, reliance on social benefits, and a sense of entitlement, are referred to as Karyna and Seba. Disdain for Janusz represents broader contempt for what is perceived as provincial Poland and is predominantly expressed by the middle class and hipster subcultures.

The term can also refer to an ignoramus in a broader sense. This meaning is evident in the phrase "Janusz biznesu" ("Janusz of business"), which denotes a person fixated on maximizing short-term gains while embodying negative stereotypes of Polish entrepreneurs. In internet memes portraying the "Janusz biznesu" archetype, the image of Stanisław Derehajło, Deputy Marshal of Podlaskie Voivodeship from 2018 to 2021, was frequently utilized.

See also

References

  1. "Kim jest Janusz?" (in Polish). 2019-03-11. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  2. ^ "Janusz / janusz - Młodzieżowe Słowo Roku PWN". sjp.pwn.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  3. ^ "Ziemowita Szczerka "Traktat o Januszach"". wyborcza.pl. 2016-09-10. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  4. "Nosacz a sprawa polska. Dlaczego małpy stały się tłem do popularnych memów o Polakach?". naTemat.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  5. Goździewska-Marszałek, Olga (2021-04-02). "Stanisław Derehajło to nowy król internetowych MEMÓW. Podlaski polityk jest znany jako "Janusz Alfa i "typowy ojciec"". Gazeta Współczesna (in Polish). Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  6. "Nieoczekiwana kariera Stanisława Derehajło jako mema o polskich szefach". Donald.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2025-01-06.
Categories: