Friendship and Popularity

Similarly to love, there isn't a fixed way or formula to create friendships. Although love and friendships are two different things altogether, they are akin to one another in some ways - that they both cannot be forced if it isn't yours.

Friendships are often confused with popularity. Ever since primary school there are always people who have more "friends" than some others. These people are those who are deemed or termed as the "popular" ones.

And it seems to me, everyone would try their very best to be the "popular" people.

It leads me to a question, is popularity necessary?

Undeniably, popularity boosts one's confidence. It makes you feel so good, that you're so wanted by the crowd. No matter where you go, you have someone around you. You'd never be alone.

I was one of those girls who always wanted to be popular.

And I can certainly say, trying to be popular isn't something which is easy to do. It is a painful experience. Just like love, the harder you try, the easier you fail.

I know it doesn't sound like any logic but still.

Even if one could succeed in making oneself popular, one has to continue to suffer the consequences of being popular. For instance, having random people getting your number, calling you at irregular hours, attacking your private life, gossiping at your back and all sorts of ridiculous stuffs just to make you upset.

You may say, I don't have to be the most popular, but I could befriend the most popular girl in school so that people know who I am.

Think twice. Don't you think that you are just boosting her popularity by losing your own dignity? Especially when you absolutely do not belong to that particular so-called popular group.

Why are you trying so hard NOT to be yourself, finding topics which are NOT your topics just to chat with them, just to look as if you are their "friends"?

It's just so uneccessary and not needed.

Why not, just BE YOURSELF and mix with the people who are your true friends? Don't you think you're happier that way? Nobody has to pay for their own happiness.

The not-so-popular friends will be those who care about you and support you when you are down; the popular "friends" are those who ask you out shopping, watching movies and gossiping everyday but they never give a single damn about what you like and how you feel.

By the way, if you are one of those who try so hard to be in the "popular gang", remember that it's you who chose to be with them, and they are the ones who decide if you could be in. In other words,

You will never be part of them until they allow it.

And they would always tell you, We're sorry that we isolate you, when you fail to say anything in the conversation.

I personally hate to hear that sentence - do you like it?

Make your own choice - popular or down-to-earth?