"Grease" is a movie I grew up with. Although I first watched it when I was probably around seven and didn't understand a lot of the obscenity, from that moment, I knew it would be an all-time favorite of mine. Danny Zuko was and still is my teenage heartthrob and Sandy Olsson was the bubbly girl I aspired to be. When I was younger I admired "Grease" for its musical aspect and it's depiction of the 1950's, a decade I always wished to have lived through, but now that I'm older, I realize that "Grease" also teaches viewers some valuable life lessons. Below are 10 lessons the film has taught me.
1. Love happens when you least expect it.
Danny and Sandy met on a California beach one summer. What they both expected to be a fun summer fling, turned into something more serious. Love happens naturally, there is no need to look for it.
2. Boys will do anything to impress their friends.
Not to generalize, but boys do partake in “locker room talk." They talk about the action they get and girls bodies in not the most respectful way. Even though Danny loved Sandy, he talked about how she got “friendly down in the sand” and that “they made out a hundred times” in the song Summer Nights. Additionally, Danny tried to act cool in front of his friends by pretending to be disinterested in Sandy when they first reunited at school.
3. Girls gossip.
Again, not to generalize, but girls do tend to gossip. Even the girls that have your back might roast you a bit. After Sandy admits to the Pink Ladies that she had only drank once at her cousin’s wedding, that she didn’t smoke, and after she got ill from piercing her ears at their sleepover, the girls all broke out in total gossip mode in the song Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee.
4. All it takes is some words of encouragement.
Even when all seems to have gone wrong, it’s important to look on the bright side. When K. Nicky’s car was destroyed by the T-Birds' rival, The Scorpions, they gathered in the auto-shop of their school in total disbelief; they thought it would be impossible to fix their hot ride until Danny restores the boys’ faith in the project through the song Greased Lightnin'.
5. Find someone who’s willing to fight for you.
After Sandy found interest in another guy, a jock, Danny tried to impress her by trying all kinds of sports. Eventually, Sandy realized that he is trying hard to win her back, and left her new guy for Danny.
6. There is value in your high school education.
Your high school education gives you a very basic, and general knowledge on anything you may encounter in life. Frenchy debated dropping out of her Rydell High School to enroll in beauty school. While everyone can make their own decisions, and it’s great to focus on your field of interest, it’s important to at least attain a high school degree.
7. Be careful of who you confide in.
News travels fast. Especially in this day of age. Rizzo confided in Marty when she expresses her concern over possibly being pregnant. Soon after, Marty announced it at the outdoor movie theater, and everyone knew.
8. Don’t do anything you're uncomfortable with.
When Danny tried to make moves on Sandy in the car at the drive-in, Sandy clearly expressed her discomfort. However, Danny still pressed her to hook up. Frustrated, Sandy defiantly stormed off. This empowering scene showed the importance of not succumbing to other peoples’ wants.
9. Stay strong in the face of adversity.
After overhearing some girls talk about how her pregnancy scare, Rizzo didn’t give them the satisfaction of her annoyance. Rather, she remained poised. Through song, she later explained that the worst thing she could do is to cry in front of them.
10. Don’t change for anyone, but yourself.
Many viewers argue that Sandy’s transition at the end of the film showed her willingness to change for her boyfriend. However, Sandy really changed for herself. After watching the drag race, Sandy told herself she was ready to assimilate into the Californian-American culture of the '50s. She even asked Frenchy to help her with her makeover. Throughout the film, she stayed true to herself, including her conservative wardrobe and her innocent lifestyle, particularly not smoking. Rather than changing for her man, Sandy simply transitioned into her new surrounding, and only when she was ready and comfortable to do so.
