As a girl who grew up on a steady diet of punk rock and being a misfit, it’s safe to say I never really bought into popular trends.

To this day, I still have trouble stomaching most aspects of popular culture, which for the most part, is ridiculous.

Because of my aversions to such things, I tend to avoid places where this type of popular cult thrives, like clubs and certain bars.

But sadly, not all of my friends have the same views as I do and sometimes I get dragged to what I like to refer to as “The Unsacred Halls of Douche.”

You know the type of place. It’s a massive sea of Affliction shirts, fake tans, overly shiny accessories, Sperry’s, enough makeup to put a clown to shame, perfume and cologne that reeks of poor choices and the most common word spoken is ‘like’ or phrases slurred by girls who are trying way too hard.

It’s what is seen as a stereotypical sorority or fraternity party, but in a legal public setting. It’s atrocious.

On any given night, in one of these douchey monstrosities, you can almost guarantee that one of these “trendy” drones will get so drunk they don’t remember anything about the night, achieve alcohol poisoning, have a random hook up, be part of a big dramatic issue or all of the above.

Sounds awesome, right? Yeah, not so much.

Did I mention the unreasonable cover charges, limited and overpriced drink selections or, my favorite, the music choices that shift between dupstep to horrible rap and pop remixes?

Sounds like a good time, huh?

And if you’re looking to have real conversations of substance, you might as well forget about it.

Unless you classify trash talking or other very petty topics as having substance.

All in all, clubs and bars or this caliber clearly cater to the ever evolving but consistently absurd pop culture trends.

But despite all of this, people still flock to these places like they are literally the only places to go.  

Now don’t get me wrong, I am more than happy that I don’t have to be blinded by someone’s bling or annoyed by fist pumping, jager-bomb connoisseurs when I go out.

I will gladly stay at my preferred bars and let all the Ed Hardy loving people stay at theirs.

However, I can’t help but wonder why these kinds of bars and clubs are so popular.  

When I overhear my few friends who actually participate in this cult-like lifestyle, more often than not, they are complaining about it.

Whether it be about how they didn’t have that great of a night because of something that either happened at one of these bars or because of drama that happened between the people who frequent these bars.

In fact, one of the only times I hear that they had an overall good night is when they were highly intoxicated and don’t recall most of it.

That doesn’t sound like much fun to me.

If there are so many issues that arise when going out, then why continue to go?

How can you keep doing the same things and expect there to be a different outcome?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m fairly certain that’s the definition of insanity according to Einstein.

Maybe it’s because I just “don’t get it” or because I don’t like 50 thousand rhinestones on the ass of my jeans, but will someone please explain to me what part of this self-absorbed and superficial  culture is appealing?

Is it because you and your bros are looking fresh tonight?

Is it because you’re going out with the girls, in order to snub guys and then complain because guys aren’t trying to take you home?

Is it because YOLO?

The answer evades me.