I.

TRENDS AND FADS

• TREND - generally a direction which tells that something is developing or changing. In

businesses, it usually indicates an upward direction in sales or in profit while in social
media, it connotes something that is becoming popular or acceptable to the general
population.
- a new item or a practice that stabilizes and transforms into a habit, a lifestyle, or an
enduring product. Some trends seek to innovate lifestyles and find practical ways to solve social
issues and improve our well-being. It could be a response to the problems that have confronted
groups or societies. It also reveals the shape of the future.
- a trend is a pattern of behavior demonstrated by a big number of people within a
particular period

ELEMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF A TREND

1. Duration of time
Trends have longer staying power and enjoy a longer period of popularity. The lifespan of
products or ideas that become trends do not disappear quickly as opposed to a fad.

2. Acceptability
Trends are popularly accepted by many industries and people. Trends tend to stay longer
because they receive popular support from consumers and companies who believe on these
trends as accepted ideas or patterns that can endure time.

3. Cultural basis
A trend is rooted on the people’s cultural traditions, belief, and values. A trend persists and
continues because people have seen it as a part of their society’s culture. Because a trend has a
form of connection with a society’s culture, it does not have a short period of popularity. For
example, here in the Philippines, buffet restaurants have bloomed in different malls. The buffet
restaurants trend has lasted for a long time in the country because Filipinos love to eat and dine
with friends, family, and relatives during special occasions. Buffet restaurants are appealing
because they provide diverse cuisines and a variety of selections for the customers.

4. Transitory increase or decrease

A trend shows a transitory increase or decrease of a particular idea, event, or phenomenon
(Brannon 2000). There are trends that have lasted for a longer period of time, like for example
The human population growth or the number of HIV-AIDS victims in the Philippines. But all
trends have potential to eventually slow down and decline.

• FAD (Uso) - a style, activity, or interest that is very popular for a short period of time. It can be
characterized as unpredictable, short-lived and without social, economic, and political
significance.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A FAD
 Fads involve a lesser number of people and has a shorter duration of time. They even have
shorter duration than fashions. Below are some of the characteristics of a fad:
1. Fad is confined to particular segments in society.
2. Fad is trivial because of its short life expectancy. It is prone to being outmoded.
3. Fad is not created but it is just revived from a style that existed all along in the lives of
some subgroups (Meyersohn and Katz 1957 as cited by Brannon 2000, 53)

Difference of Trends and Fads

TREND Elements FAD

Attractive to the People
Endures with or without
publicity
Caters and accepted by a
wide audience
Supported by several
fads/existing trends
Can be sustained for a long
period
Extensive
Appeal (Degree of Attraction)
Result (Impact)
Scope (Extent of the
Influence)
Support (Structure that
enables to be sustainable)
Sustainability (Length of
Time)
Value (Usefulness)
Attractive to the people
Hyped or advertised (if hype
stops, it also starts to
disappear)
Caters and accepted by a
limited group of people
No clearly established
support
Persists only for a short
period of time
Limited

Activity 1.1.
Directions: Analyze the following items. Write T if it is considered as Trend in the society and
F if it is a Fad.

1. Online shopping platforms (Lazada/Shopee etc.) T

2. Face masks T
3. Samyang noodles F
4. UNO cards F
5. K to 12 Education Curriculum T
6. Tiktok dances F
7. Smartphones T
8. Bakuna blouse F
9. Ice Bucket Challenge F
10. Virtual classes T

Activity 1.2

Directions: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter
in a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following refers to a pattern of behavior demonstrated by a big number of
people within a particular period?
A. pattern
B. fad
C. trend

D. forces

2. Which of the following statements is not true about the characteristics of a trend?
A. A trend makes considerable influence or impact.
B. A trend is formed from non-repetitive actions of people.
C. A trend has a starting point which can be an idea, technology, event or person.
D. A trend may be started by an individual, but the number of followers increases in a certain
period of time.

3. A good number of Filipinos have turned to the Middle East and the US to seek greener
pastures. This trend has continued because of severe economic depression, political repression,
and the lack of viable job opportunities in the Philippines. Which of the following significant
social trends is being described in this given scenario?
A. the rise of OFWs
B. high employment
C. changing roles of women
D. religious fundamentalism

4. The current obsession with health and well-being is one of the positive trends today. Which
of the following practices is NOT a manifestation of coping up with this given trend?
A. hair straightening and skin whitening as beauty regimen
B. the immensely popular application of meditation practices
C. organic farming as an alternative to synthetic and chemical-laden products
D. exercise and extreme sports for those who can afford the luxuries of enrolling in a gym or
engaging in elite sports

5. As the workforce continues to relocate across the country and out of large cities, organizations will
need to invest heavily in technology that enables the future of remote work. While this trend continues,
which of the following predictions/ inventions or events do you think is most likely to happen?
A. People will come into the office less and potentially on a staggered schedule.
B. Consumers will demand more than just a functional product from technology brands.
C. Companies will need to optimize their in-office setups to make sure that days in the office have
collaboration benefits worth the cost of a commute.
D. Technologies will impact our lives the most in the next year and beyond and will enable people to
shift into a new work-life balance where they have more flexibility to choose when and where they do
either.

6. The latest research has shown that 42 percent of the U.S. labor force is now working from home, but
even after the pandemic, the anticipated share of working-from-home days is set to triple compared to
pre-pandemic levels. While this trend continues, which of the following predictions, inventions and
events do you think is most likely to happen?
A. Now many people are working, learning, and keeping everyone entertained from home seven
days a week.
B. Video streaming, which has seen tremendous growth in adoption this year, will undoubtedly
continue to be a major part of the way we live and do business after the pandemic recedes.
C. The data sharing and open collaboration practices that have been crucial to the fight against
COVID will lead to greater public-private and cross-industry collaboration moving forward.
D. Videoconferencing may be the tool professionals have been looking for to achieve that highly
sought-after but elusive goal of work life balance.

7. Which of the following refers to a concept which make people highly interested in for a relatively
short period of time?
A. fad
B. forces
C. infatuation
D. trend

8. The following terms are considered as Fad EXCEPT:

A. Barbie doll
B. IPod
C. pet rock
D. social networking sites

9. Which of the following statements is NOT TTRUE about the characteristics of a fad?
A. Fad involves a lesser number of people.
B. Fad is confined to particular segments in society.
C. Fad has a short life expectancy.
D. Fad caters to and is accepted by a wide audience.