Poklen
'Poklen' ,(sometimes referred to as Poklein, Puklen or Pokland) is a pejorative term commonly used by Bruneians to describe a group of young stereotypical teenagers in Brunei. They are characterized by their peculiar taste in fashion, and the tendency to speak and write in a way out of the norm. "Poklens" are often seen as poseurs because they tend to try and act 'cool' or independent, and may try to imitate others and other sub-cultures.These imitated traits are predominantly Western, such as speaking in a faux English accent or being unusually partial to hip hop music. Poklen in itself is not a classification that stands on its own, such that it is not on the level of Emos and Punks, but a term that is used by Bruneians to classify all these other groups.
"Poklens", whose ages range from early to late adolescence, are usually centralised in the Gadong area, although they originate mainly from along the town area (Bandar Seri Begawan). They usually loiter around central business areas and shopping centres (i.e The Mall, Yayasan Complex and so on). This, however, is purely hypothetical as no extensive research has been done on the social stature of 'Poklens', and they do exist in other districts in Brunei as well. The thought of 'Poklens' originating from these places stated is just a result of generalisation as it is perceived by the public that a large number of 'Poklens' are in these areas, and this is probably due to the Brunei-Muara district being the most populated from the other districts, and hence the larger number of 'Poklens'. It is therefore a misunderstanding in the community of Brunei that Poklens come from the mentioned areas.
Melbourne Shufflers in Brunei are often labeled as 'Poklens'. Most shufflers intends to show-off their shuffling skills in public, which resulted into a contradicting issue, thus having them being labeled as 'Poklens'. A number of Shufflers, if not all, deny the association of Poklens and Shufflers, but such claim will remain a debate as there is currently no research being done on both groups to come to a professional conclusion.
'Poklens' have been perceived to establish their own way of writing, especially in text messages. Random capitalisation and the suffix of 'X' or 'Z' at the end on words, the usage of 'ahax!' (the equvalent of 'l.o.l'), replacing 'K' as 'Q', and replacing 'B' with 'V' i.e 'vyex' (the equivalent of 'bye') ,are characteristic of the 'Poklen' way of writing.
Origin of the term
The term Poklen was derived from a name of a town in the United Kingdom ,Portland in the early days. Portland was known to have a bad football team,and the people in Brunei instead supported Manchester United or Liverpool.They referred Portland as being the worst team and people often insult and argued through this matter. The term consequently evolved to define the teenagers who are loitering around town areas of the districts in Brunei and who wears inappropriate and mismatched clothes.
"Poklens", whose ages range from early to late adolescence, are usually centralised in the Gadong area, although they originate mainly from along the town area (Bandar Seri Begawan). They usually loiter around central business areas and shopping centres (i.e The Mall, Yayasan Complex and so on). This, however, is purely hypothetical as no extensive research has been done on the social stature of 'Poklens', and they do exist in other districts in Brunei as well. The thought of 'Poklens' originating from these places stated is just a result of generalisation as it is perceived by the public that a large number of 'Poklens' are in these areas, and this is probably due to the Brunei-Muara district being the most populated from the other districts, and hence the larger number of 'Poklens'. It is therefore a misunderstanding in the community of Brunei that Poklens come from the mentioned areas.
Melbourne Shufflers in Brunei are often labeled as 'Poklens'. Most shufflers intends to show-off their shuffling skills in public, which resulted into a contradicting issue, thus having them being labeled as 'Poklens'. A number of Shufflers, if not all, deny the association of Poklens and Shufflers, but such claim will remain a debate as there is currently no research being done on both groups to come to a professional conclusion.
'Poklens' have been perceived to establish their own way of writing, especially in text messages. Random capitalisation and the suffix of 'X' or 'Z' at the end on words, the usage of 'ahax!' (the equvalent of 'l.o.l'), replacing 'K' as 'Q', and replacing 'B' with 'V' i.e 'vyex' (the equivalent of 'bye') ,are characteristic of the 'Poklen' way of writing.
Origin of the term
The term Poklen was derived from a name of a town in the United Kingdom ,Portland in the early days. Portland was known to have a bad football team,and the people in Brunei instead supported Manchester United or Liverpool.They referred Portland as being the worst team and people often insult and argued through this matter. The term consequently evolved to define the teenagers who are loitering around town areas of the districts in Brunei and who wears inappropriate and mismatched clothes.
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