On Being Emulated
I wonder if it's common to be emulated by peers. It is for me. There is always one friend who is intent on copying me. (I hate saying "copying" because it makes me feel like a whiny kid.) It's for different reasons each time, I think. I probably noticed it less in middle school because everyone wanted to fit in then, and we were just beginning to fin ourselves, but once I got to high school, it was glaringly obvious.
It seems that people who don't have their own distinct personality are those who are most often copiers. It annoys me to no end. I adore being different from other people, and those who understand that and respect my need for individuality are those who stay my closest friends. (e.g., Sasha) And those who are the most unlike me are the people whose friendships I cherish most. A person from whom you can learn something new is a great companion. A person who is exactly like you is boring! We're all meant to be different.
However, whenever a person is obviously emulating me, I tend to pull away because... well... I'm annoyed. But is that beneficial to both of us? Does that person, or more generally, do some people need to have someone to emulate until they find their own personality? Will they ever be themselves instead of the people around them? If the person being copied pulls away, would that force the copier to become themself, or will they just move on to another model? So, is it better to stay close to the person copying you, or is it better to distance yourself?
I've been thinking about this lately.
Also, I need a new pair of pinstriped pants. The ones I have are from Old Navy, and I got them when I was 15.
It seems that people who don't have their own distinct personality are those who are most often copiers. It annoys me to no end. I adore being different from other people, and those who understand that and respect my need for individuality are those who stay my closest friends. (e.g., Sasha) And those who are the most unlike me are the people whose friendships I cherish most. A person from whom you can learn something new is a great companion. A person who is exactly like you is boring! We're all meant to be different.
However, whenever a person is obviously emulating me, I tend to pull away because... well... I'm annoyed. But is that beneficial to both of us? Does that person, or more generally, do some people need to have someone to emulate until they find their own personality? Will they ever be themselves instead of the people around them? If the person being copied pulls away, would that force the copier to become themself, or will they just move on to another model? So, is it better to stay close to the person copying you, or is it better to distance yourself?
I've been thinking about this lately.
Also, I need a new pair of pinstriped pants. The ones I have are from Old Navy, and I got them when I was 15.