In today's world, there are many stereotypes for people, young and old. In John Updike's "A&P," the main character, Sammy, is an example of a typical teenage boy for that time, as well as now. Though Sammy seems to be a mature young man trying to make some money, his intense fascination with the three girls, his attitude, and his unrealistic thoughts all support that he is in fact just a typical teenager.
             Fascination with the opposite sex is one of the main characteristics of being a young man in his teenage years. For Sammy his fascination begins because of the three young girl's apparel. Most everything that is considered in a teenagers life starts with what is to be worn and how it will appeal. If a young man sees three young woman that have some inkling of attraction in them, it is a typical teenage reaction to study the woman. Sammy is so taken by the young woman that describes in detail each of their bathing suits. He studied each girl up and down and even the way they walked. At the teenage age, comparability is always in motion. Most young boys will look at who is where the best looking suit or who looks the best as Sammy did. Teenagers will also examine the body structure as Sammy did as well. Sammy describes one young girl as large in size, another tall and lanky, and the third average. When young women are together in a group young men always compare them to one another to find the best as Sammy did. Sammy even examined the attitude between the girls. How one was the leader, "Queenie", with the others following making decisions based on what she does. Then how their attitude changed when Lengel advances them. Noticing every little thing from their cloths to their attitude in the manner that Sammy did is a very typical for a young teenage boy.
             Another typical teenage trait that Sammy possessed was his attitude. Sammy possessed an inner attitude because of the three girls. Most teenagers have an attitude towards othe...