Yes, we’re all victim. We’ve all had a friend or family member tag us in something on Facebook or shown us a meme on their phone and our response, “Oh yeah, I’ve seen that.” But why? Why do we feel a need to prove that we’re caught up on all the latest pop culture media.
Tell Me Why
Whether it’s a Tiger King meme or that your mutual friend is engaged, we’ve all boasted about “seeing that.” I’ve noticed my bad habit for the last couple months and when I tried to correct it, I couldn’t. Much like good coffee, I just couldn’t resist. I would like to think it’s our subconscious trying to relate to the person. “Oh yeah, haha, we have the same friends. We see the same stuff. We’re so cool.” In actuality, I think it’s our constant urge for competition. A basketball coach once told me, “You’ve been competing with your friends since you were born.” As alarming as that statement is, it’s true. Who can win a race to the swings at recess? Who will win the high school jock’s heart? Who has the most Instagram likes? Who will think of the next big idea at work? As humans, we’re programmed to be better than others. That’s what the American Dream is all about, right? Even people who don’t describe themselves as competitive will be sure to notify you when they have the upper hand. Similar to biting our fingernails, responding with “I’ve seen that” is a bad habit we should try to ween from to form better relationships.
The Cure
Nobody likes a Know-It-All. Telling someone that you’ve “seen that” doesn’t prove that you’re smarter or cooler. Honestly, what does it prove? I can’t answer that or maybe I don’t want to. I ask you, the reader, to try to withhold your righteousness at the next opportunity. Try to just respond with your original reaction. You ran across a “Carole Killed Her Husband” Meme. You laughed. The next hour, your friend tags you in the comment. Rather than saying “I saw this!”, respond with “This is funny stuff!!” It will leave both parties humble in the friendship. You didn’t make someone else feel like second best and your friend is under the impression of making your day better.
Society is already breathing down our necks to do better. Let’s try small steps to creating a stronger bond with our friendships and lifting each other up. Venmo your friend $5, just because. Send an old photo for memories sake. Stop saying versions of “I saw that.” It’s a small phrase that probably goes unnoticed in your dialogue. Just like cinnamon in fresh-baked cookies; you don’t notice it until it’s not there. So don’t be the pulp in the OJ. Offer a smooth, delightful, pick-me-up in conversation.
Kommentarer