I feel like Grease is timeless. It explores issues that we all have dealt with.

For one being strong enough to admit you like someone.

Okay so Danny Zuko, he liked Sandy right, he really liked her but he couldn’t admit it in front of his friends because that would have made him look ‘uncool’. He didn’t want to be caught catching feelings. In the end he suffered for it as no matter how much he tried to deny it he couldn’t lie to himself and he had to make a decision, man up or let her go.

I find guys funny. For most of my life I’ve had male best friends or just general guy friends. And I noticed something, if they were alone with me or if they were the only male present amongst us girls they would sing like a canary. They would spill their guts about the girl they liked and they’d be candid about. But as soon as their guy friends showed up, OMD, they’d switch so fast! They’d act like they didn’t care, like it was nothing or they’d play up the physical stuff they did. Oor they’d act like jerks and diss the girl so no one would suss what they truly felt for her.

Even in Emma this happens, you know the Jane Austin novel. Mr Churchill put on the biggest act so people wouldn’t know how much he loved Jane Fairfax and that they were engaged. He flirted with Emma to put people, his aunt mainly, off the scent. But he still gave himself away, at least in the TV adaptation (BBC) he did. There were little things he did that gave away his love for Jane.

Honest question, why do guys do that? It’s fascinating to watch. I’m trying to think if I’ve seen women do it too but I don’t think I have.

Although I do have to say at least Danny had Kenickie, guys normally have that one friend they can confide in. Or perhaps more as times are changing these days.

Another lesson learnt, sometimes people lash out through insecurity or because they’re scared of getting close. With some women, myself included, I have noticed when we catch feelings and we’re not ready we can push people away. Rizzo did that with Kenickie. She was unsure and she didn’t think he’d stick around anyway so she pushed him away. But like Danny she still wanted him and couldn’t deal so they ended up making up.

For me Rizzo was the most interesting character, there were layers to her. She was confident and yet insecure. It was interesting to watch her journey. I’m glad she let people in in the end.

Then there’s Sandy. She represents innocence. The way people react to her is telling. They react to her innocence like it’s a bad thing, or it makes them feel insecure because they know they’re not ‘pure’. And yet Sandy never judges, they just feel that way being around her. It’s seen as a problem that she’s so pure. I thought that was unfair. She was a cool character and she saw the good in people despite what they thought of her. But they didn’t accept her as she was and so she had to change.

There are people today who go through the same problem, it’s seen as a problem sometimes when you’re pure. However I think this too is changing with the times as good portrayals of such women are shown on TV. In real life too I’ve met a lot of women who have found their place and good friends and husbands who accept them for how they are, pure, innocent and all.

And of course there’s the whole finding yourself narrative in Grease. When you’re a teenager you’re trying to find yourself and where you fit in the world. To be honest that still happens in your 20’s. That narrative I think we can all relate with. We have all had those moments where we have had to do some soul searching.

Henceforth there are many lessons in Grease and many ways we can relate.

Do you agree? Or no.