The indescribable bittersweet envy that rushes over me after each episode of “Sex and the City” needs to be studied. I mean, seriously, has anyone ever watched this show without being almost just enough convinced to pack up their things and move to New York City?
I started to think, what’s really the difference between being a female student at UT and being a part of the cast in NYC?
In many ways, Knoxville is turning into a full-blown city of its own. I won’t deny, they have us by the huge skyline, but we have more in common than we realize — the questionable romance, the walkable city, the friendships, the drama and the endless possibilities.
I mean, I’m sure they aren’t throwing a goal post into the Hudson River, but then again, who really knows what they are doing?
We can even go into the everyday details like the man yelling “hot dogsssss, come get your hot dogsssss” outside of Half Barrel. This sound is a little too familiar to me, as my apartment window has a straight view of Half, and I could go on for hours about how obnoxious it gets, just like how it would be if I lived in New York.
After all these similarities, I couldn’t help but wonder … are we all longing for a life we already have?
Let’s find out — UT student life vs. SATC:
Dinner dates vs. date parties
In our day and age, a date party is less formal than a dinner date, but it still carries the same connotations.
Instead of a dimly lit restaurant, you might be in a dimly lit frat house. Sure, instead of a candle giving a romantic vibe, it may be strobe lights, but there is still a planned nature to the event. You’re still socializing with a drink. You’re still getting dressed up. You’re still hoping the pregame washes away the nerves. Just like a first date, it might be awkward, but it usually turns out fine … although I have heard some crazy horror stories.
Big’s phone call vs. “… is typing.”
If you are unfamiliar with Big, he is Carrie’s toxic, on-and-off ‘thing,’ who is the definition of an emotionally unavailable, walking red flag. Carrie, the helpless romantic she is, keeps going back to him even when she knows it’s no good for her. Her self-sabotaging behavior feeds the problematic relationship in hopes of finding the love she has always longed for.
The only difference now is the reliance on social media apps for communication. A Snapchat from someone couldn’t make your heart race back then, and there was no such thing as an Instagram soft launch — though if there had been, Carrie would have definitely participated (no shame, I did too). But ask yourself, is your “… is typing” much different than Big’s half-hearted phone call? Is it just convenient? I don’t know — that’s up for you to decide.
Heels vs. frat sneakers
Instead of walking down the streets of Manhattan in heels, you might be walking along Cumberland Avenue or making your way to Frat Row in sneakers. You’re still walking hand in hand with your girlfriends on your way to socialize, just more comfortably. The shoe attire might look a little different, but let’s be real, your adorable heels don’t belong in a frat house — and those designated frat sneakers hold a lot more memories than any heel ever could.
Sunday brunch vs. Sunday debrief
Sunday brunch in SATC is like the Super Bowl, although it happens every Sunday. As they sip mimosas, they make each other feel better about how poorly — or astonishingly well — their date from the night before went.
When you wake up with the Sunday scaries after a long weekend, where do you run?
I still remember the Sunday I walked into Just Love Coffee Cafe feeling so anxious it made me physically sick — when I walked out, I had tears in my eyes from my girlfriends making me laugh so hard.
You might not be able to stomach a mimosa, but you are still designating time to recap the night before, and I’ve always preferred my blue Gatorade anyway.
Cosmopolitans vs. Hill Pink Drink
That counts . . . right?
After all these parallels, I reframe my question – when is it time we stop pretending we don’t have this life?
In a college town filled with uncertainty and change, it mirrors exactly what SATC is all about – female friendships.
The thing I love most about the show is its ironic name. You would think it’s all about sex and men, but the root of it is learning the lesson that a woman’s support system doesn’t always need to involve a man.
No matter how many nightmare dates or bad interactions with men, they always come back to each other, and as they grow together throughout life, they help each other learn to rely on their own independence.
And please don’t relate this to that one Vogue article – that is not what I’m saying.
The truth is, female friendships are grounding, whether you are in a relationship or not.
Just as New York City shapes each character, our college town shapes our character development over the years.
As I reflect on my past three years in college, I see a strong resemblance between the cast of SATC and my freshman-year roommates, who I am fortunate to still live with. Throughout the college roller coaster of ups and downs, we have grown with the help of each other, and I wouldn’t be the same without them as part of me.
Whether it’s your roommate, your sorority sister, a distant friend, a best friend or a friend of a friend, I hope everyone has someone in their life to lean on.
As the sun rises tomorrow, I’ll wake up to my SATC hatch alarm sound, and instead of mentally being in New York, I’ll be here in Knoxville, which is even better.
Veronica White is a junior at UT this year studying hospitality management. She can be reached at [email protected].
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
