Ostentacja jako norma. O polskim, masowym wyjściu z szafy i performansie jako obyczajowym nakazie dla każdego
Flamboyance as the Norm. On Polish En Masse Coming Out and Performance as a Folkway for All

Summary/Abstract: In Poland we are moving on from a situation in which respect was ascribed to individuals through social structure and economic resources to one of structural 'decrystallization', in which individuals themselves are forced to attend to their respect, using tools of style and symbol. Style constitutes a variety of code by which individuals signal themselves as respectable when the old methods of achieving respect structurally attributed to roles (class position, level of education, profession and income, etc.) fail. As such, Poles are increasingly flaunty in revealing their 'individualities' to the outside world via the public display of gestures, via consumption and style for show. This is a significant change in Polish customs; in the course of the last 25 years of transformation Poles have moved away from the demand of not sticking their necks out in regard to style and performance towards a rule of obtrusive social visibility. We are dealing with an evident multitude of performers, with their own peculiar popularised exhibitionism rendered the ordinary. Normality today is achieved through the bumptiousness of performances, through an excessive presence in social media profiles and images. Flamboyance is now the interactive norm, a cultural dictate. At the same time the majority lack unique performative skills, meaning that achieving the effect of a show and attracting attention depends on being flamboyant within everyday practices turned into a ludic occupation.

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