In the past, the reason for drinking "Marble Soda" was the chance to taste a difficult-to-obtain soft drink; young people today will go to all lengths to find a bottle of that same "Marble Soda" for the sake of that hard-to-get marble--"This is something really fresh!" they say. Before, wearing bell-bottomed trousers or a pair of tattered blue jeans was considered fashionable; today black leather jackets with Japanese slogans written across the back are all the rage. In former days shooting pool was youth's delight; now it's got to be computer games or you're not with it.

What new and unique things are young people up to today? Which directions are the fashion trends taking now? These questions arouse both the concern and the curiosity of the older generation. "They have their own dress code, their own language, their own centers of activity, their own habits of consumption, their own hopes and dreams," writes author Chan Hung-chih in his book Trends.

What cannot be denied is that modern youth certainly has its own viewpoints on topics such as clothing, food, and recreation. "They gather together group by group, clique by clique, in whatever place--maybe they don't even know each other. If they want to dance they go to the 'Kiss' disco, if they want to drag race they go up to Tatu Road. They flock together with the unique hopes and expectations of youth to bind them, without a care for how society views them, without fear of the judgment of others," says Chan Hung-chih.

These youths are after distinctive originality on the one hand, but then again they hope to find companionship in their activities; so that there develop various young "clans." Thus we have the so-called drag-racing clan, the punk clan, and the autograph-seeking clan (collecting and comparing autographs of stars and fervently attending any and all television or movie-related activities in order to meet them has developed into its own clan). These numerous cliques are always coming and going in any number of various Taipei hot spots, so that chasing after the fashionable has become fashionable in itself.

In the area of clothing, originality and individuality are the shared goals. In the downtown district of Hsimenting you are certain to see seventeen-and eighteen-year-old young men with an earring in one ear and a braid at the nape of their necks; or young ladies with black lipstick, multicolored finger-nails, and shorter than short hair; all showing off their modernity in their androgenous get up, with a selfpossession that turns aside for no one.

Some people feel that this generation of young people is richer in creativity than those of the past; they know how to dress up, and they "dare" to do so. Some people are surprised to find that they look like clones of the youths pictured in Japanese fashion magazines. It seems most of their "fashion" is "imitation."

In the realm of culinary enjoyment, "new" and "personality" seem to be the standards of choice among youths. Among these none are more representative than fast-food restaurants and coffee shops. The American fast-food industry has recently staged an overwhelming invasion of Taiwan. Sellers of hamburgers and chicken, such as McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy's, A & W, and Hardee's have already been "occupied" by youths. The comparative rate of this "occupation" has been incredibly high, to the point that when people over the age of twenty enter these restaurants, they may begin to feel that they have gotten old. As the youths see it, these establishments are not simply places to get something to get something to eat; they are also centers of relaxation where one can meet new friends.

In addition to these, other popular hang-outs are the likes of "Attractions" and "Can't Think of It," coffee shops and restaurants whose names and designs don't seem to follow any established rules. Although their prices are higher than those of the fast-food shops, young people continue to come in droves.

Han Pao-te, director of the Museum of Natural Science, wrote in one essay that, when looked at from the proper angle, the phenomenon of these coffee shops is simply the bringing of "yuppie" culture to a more universal level. "When young people dress up and go out to look for an establishment with a more artistic atmosphere, hoping to enjoy a classier style of service, the last condition that they are going to consider is price," he explained.

As far as general leisure and entertainment are concerned, there is a "dark horse" which has recently charged onto the scene with incredible speed--motorcycle drag racing. It is said that some youths, after finishing a night's dancing, like to open wide the throttle on their motorcycles and whip along as fast as lightning to the hot springs on Shamao Mountain for a nice warm soak. Until just recently, Tatu Road on the outskirts of Taipei was the youths' drag racing park. This "park" provided a blend of wild excitement and danger, as riders flew along at death defying speeds over the cold, dark road. The more shocked and amazed the bystanders were, the more ecstatic the riders became.

The American newspaper The Washington Post once ran a special series exploring the question of just what is going on in the minds of today's young people. In it was a point rather worth thinking about: This generation of young people has grown up in front of the television screen and is quite accustomed to sitting and looking at this pulsating light. As they become adults, they retain their preference for looking at pictures rather that the printed word; they'd rather watch a movie than read a book. This is to say, for them the meaning provided by their entertainment is not of importance, just so long as there is no shortage of sensual experience.

The author Lo Lan once wrote in an essay: "As the night approaches, the excesses of youthful vitality are vented in wild races, karaoke centers, and beer houses. This shows clearly that youths are not actually happy; they don't even know in which direction to face in order to open the doors of their futures. Our society does not have the strength to give our youths one positive goal to reach for."

Just what is the message hidden behind the many forms of popular youth activity? This seems to be the point most worthy of attention in considering the question of "fashion."

[Picture Caption]

The pursuit of fashion and originality are shared phenomena in the world-wide subculture of youth.

Bright-eyed liveliness is one of the distinctive characteristics of this generation of youth.

Youths appreciate originality, but are not willing to go it alone, so that numerous young "clans" have arisen.

Will the clean-cut appearance of these students become mere historical remembrances after the lifting of hairstyle regulations?

Dancing to vent the energy of youth requires music, lights, and atmosphere, all of the first class. (courtesy of Hu Fu-ts'ai)

The wearing of dark sunglasses as a sign of rebellion brings a feeling of cold aloofness.

You need a lot more than just one ring and a bracelet to keep in step with this generation! (courtesy of Hu Fu-ts'ai)

The art of enjoying Western fast foods is not merely munching on a burger; there is an atmosphere to be digested as well.

Wearing a coat like that of the leader of an underworld gang, this youth shows the influence that movies have over today's younger generation.

(above) Young people will perform even without an audience. (courtesy of Wang Chih-hung)

(above) Although shooting pool is still a popular pastime, it's not nearly the rage that it used to be. (photo by Arthur Jeng)

(below) The variety of video games and pinball machines varies endlessly, always new. (courtesy of Wang Chih-hung)

(Below) "Neither rain nor snow nor sleet nor hail," nothing can hold back the star-chasing autograph collectors. (photo by Arthur Jeng)

Fashion is: Wearing name-brand athletic shoes with no socks? Racing the wind on a Yamaha?

The popular drag racing of motorbikes has already become a public menace. (courtesy of Yeh Ch'ing-fang)

Bright-eyed liveliness is one of the distinctive characteristics of this generation of youth.

Youths appreciate originality, but are not willing to go it alone, so that numerous young "clans" have arisen.

Will the clean-cut appearance of these students become mere historical remembrances after the lifting of hairstyle regulations?