What is eshay?

Eshays are a subculture primarily found in Australia and New Zealand. The term generally refers to a specific style of dress, behavior, and often involvement in petty crime or anti-social activities. While not all individuals associated with the style are criminals, the subculture often has negative connotations.

Here are some key aspects:

• Style and Appearance: Eshays often wear brands like Nike, Adidas, and Nautica. Specific items like tracksuits, sports shorts, and sneakers (especially Nike TNs or Air Max) are common. Nike and Adidas brands are very popular among them. Other prominent elements include bum bags, and specific hairstyles such as a mullet or buzzcut.

• Behavior: Eshays are often associated with aggressive or intimidating behavior. This can include loitering in public spaces, yelling, and engaging in minor acts of vandalism. They're known for using a specific slang, which includes adding "ay" to the end of words (e.g., "Eshay").

• Slang: They often use their own slang, including adding "ay" to the end of words and other terms that can be difficult for outsiders to understand. Specific terms and phrases are frequently adopted and changed, making it a constantly evolving language. An example of this is saying "Eshay" after every sentence.

• Socioeconomic Factors: The eshay subculture is often associated with lower socioeconomic backgrounds, although it's not exclusively limited to any specific demographic. The appeal might stem from a sense of belonging and identity.

• Controversy: The term "eshay" carries significant negative connotations, and its usage can be considered derogatory. It's important to be mindful of the potential harm in labeling individuals based on their appearance or perceived affiliation with the subculture. Controversy is a common thing associated with them.

• Activities: Some eshays are involved in petty crimes such as shoplifting or drug use. While it is not representative of the entire group, these behaviors often contribute to the negative stereotype surrounding the subculture. Activities are generally petty criminal acts.