It's a curious question: "What's a popular person?" Who makes
the decision? Do we each decide we're popular? Or is there a
group of people who decide, "You are popular" Or do we each look
at someone else and say, "You are popular." I've had ppl say I
was popular.* It always surprised me because that's not how I
see myself.* I never thought of having a lot of friends as
popular.* It just means having a lot of friends.* Popular is
something different than that numbers I think.* But... what is
it? I never could figure out the nature of what "popular" is...
just that there was always someone who felt the need to take a
moment out of their day to make me feel "unpopular". Maybe
making someone feel unpopular makes someone popular? Maybe there
is a percentage: If 51% of people say you're popular, that makes
you popular? For a long time now, people take the time to try to
make me feel "popular".* I like the feeling but I still don't
think of it is popular, just that I have nice people around
me.** Are they kissing my butt because they think I'm popular? I
dunno.* I'm 43 and never figured out the system.* I could never
read "intent" from people.* There's probably a rulebook I was
supposed to read in 4th grade that I missed out on.* It's just a
concept I never really "got". While I couldn't point to anybody
and say, "This person is popular" and "This person is unpopular"
[because they're just people to me], I suppose if someone felt
excluded by being labeled "Popular" and then discarded...* then
the Unpopular becomes the Popular, roles reverse, and the
Oppressed become the Oppressor, all the while declaring they're
still being oppressed. So I'm glad you made the correction.*
Maybe the distinction could be different?* Instead of Popular,
you could describe some of the negative characteristics of the
Popular stereotype that you feel need calling out, without
grouping people together as the unwanted/undesirable Popular.
After all, there's not too many behaviors that any of us aren't
capable of doing, no matter what label is attached to us.* And
we can all use a helping hand in removing some of the parts of
ourselves that are undesirable.... or at the very least, it's
good to have a self-reflective moment to consider, "does this
apply to me?* If so, is it something I should fix or am I ok the
way I am?"
