This article is to help those who do not wish to be bullied verbally and or physically by those we call chavs.
1Recognise what a chav actually is. Surprisingly, a stereotypical "chav" is somebody who wears Burberry, polo shirts with upturned collars, tracksuits, "bling" and listens to hip hop, Rock 'n' B, Drum 'n' Bass etc. They are normally rude to everyone (including, if not especially, their best friends), have extremely bad manners and a terrible command over the English language. The almost total inability to talk properly is a staple of chavs. A chav can also be identified as someone who tries to act like they are black, or possibly Jamaican, but ironically sometimes secretly (or not so secretly) harbours racist views. They have also proved time and time again to be bullies.
- Avoiding someone simply because they look like a chav or enjoy "chavvy" things is no better than being a chav, who often hate or at least look down on those who display different characteristics to their own. Someone who dresses like a chav may even be a nice person. By instantly judging anyone that looks like they may be a chav, you are in fact no better yourself.
2Avoid "chavvy" areas. It is well known that chavs are usually found in large groups, gangs, and even "posies".
- It is well known that chavs can be found in poor urban areas. It is often a fair judgment to say that any poor urban or suburban area is likely to contain a large number of chavs. Spend as little time in such places as possible, or better still, steer clear of them altogether.
- Chavs are infamous dwellers of council houses, and these too are likely to have at least one chav in every one of them. Keep away from large or notorious council estates as much as you can.
- City centres are often favourite haunts for chavs, who will gather there in large groups, especially in the evenings.
3Avoid chavs at school. Many schools, especially those in deprived areas, have a large population of chavs. They are often seen as the 'toughest' kids, and may even dominate the school. This can be a problem if you wish to avoid them. Do not panic - this can be easily achieved. Think to yourself, where would a chav choose to hang out at school? Where would a chav rarely go? It is likely that there are quiet corners of the school that can act as a refuge or safe haven for you and your friends. If you are an accomplished and hardworking student, you will likely be in higher classes, or groups, where few chavs are admitted. This is not the case with all schools though.
- The key is to remember that groups of chavs will likely cause trouble and try to cause you some sort of grief. They can be very childish, throw things around the classroom, insult teachers, seek attention and even blatantly bully other students. However, one chav is much less of a threat; only the most tragically disturbed chavs continue their anti-social behaviour when they are left alone. A chav in a classroom of normal children usually goes into a state of quietness until they are reunited with their chav friends. It is even possible that a chav, if not with their own kind, might occasionally do something that can be considered as a friendly gesture. Sometimes, such interaction with a "lone chav" may gain you some sort of respect and safety from their group as a whole, and you may be described as "safe"; but talking to a lone chav should not be seen as a guarantee of some sort of protection against the rest. It is likely you will become another victim as soon as a chav is surrounded once more by their "crew".
- Join an anti-chav student alliance at your school. This is a group of good, respectful students, who work against chavs using more powerful tactics than just pure violence and unintelligible language. Such organisations will provide support to the vulnerable, and if you want to make a difference, you can help. Ask senior students in your school about this.
4Avoid chavs close to you. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid chavs who are family members, friends of friends etc. However, if one is trying to trouble you, there are still a few things you can do:
- Try to look confident. Do not show any fear as chavs can sense it, almost like dogs.
- Be nice. Smile and try to be upbeat. Do not speak unless you are spoken to, but try not to appear miserable - you will be even more of a target for bullying.
- Avoid eye contact - never stare at a chav. This is especially important if you see Chavs in the street. Chavs are actually extremely insecure, which is why they attempt at displaying such a mean, "bad boy" attitude; and staring at them almost always provokes hostility.
- Try to act invisible, but do not ignore chavs if they try to communicate with you - this may infuriate them. Instead, try to keep a low profile and don't do anything that may make you a threat or a victim in their eyes.
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- Remember that chavs are just children. Any extremely violent chavs will likely be obvious and easy to avoid.
- Try to gain a chav's respect. This can be achieved by being particularly good at sports, especially football, the chavs' sport of choice. If you are good or very good at football a chav will be less violent towards you. There are many other ways to impress chavs, but academic achievements are not viewed well by them. Instead, try to be good at something that a chav wants to good at; surprisingly, this can sometimes be art or drawing.
- Try to appear confident. Chavs are afraid of anyone who is not afraid of them. Do not overdo this, as it may make them even more violent towards you.
- Appear friendly towards non-violent chavs and if you feel the situation is getting dangerous, call the police, or go into a store and hang out by the cashier.
- Do not attempt to fight chavs. It is likely that sometimes, you will have no choice. Do not try to be some sort of village hero or challenge a chav. Chavs can range from the most common skinny, scabby, weak cowards to stronger, more athletic types. The chav rarely takes on an opponent single handedly, and a defeated chav, though he may now be afraid of you, is often more dangerous and will attempt to get as many other chavs as he knows to attack you. Either way, fighting a chav will always lead to more fights, until you are likely stabbed and killed.
- Some chavs may carry small knives, shivs or even large knives and weapons. Large chav gangs in major cities should be avoided at all costs and they may even have guns. They are territorial and need almost no provoking to become hostile towards anyone.
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