Characteristics of people who want to appear COOL

Everyone has a conscious desire to differentiate themselves from others. Whether it is a common man, a politician, a businessman, a student or a social activist, everyone wants themselves to appear as different from others. 

This tendency is not limited to any profession or a field, but people from all walks of life tend to behave in this manner.

The efforts taken by people to look different from others get imprinted on my mind for the long run. In common parlance, these people are termed as COOL. Some of the characteristics of people who want to appear COOL as per my observation are: 

1. Working on a laptop at airports when the time is as odd as half past midnights or early morning. This creates a perception of a workaholic individual who won’t miss an opportunity to complete his work deadlines.

2. Working on Apple MacBook at airports, listening to music on JBL headphones, carrying a Starbucks drink in hand and more specifically, using popular brands to appear unique at every occasion possible.

3. Reading a novel in trains and flights to appear as an avid reader and literature lover. Famous authors such as Chetan Bhagat and Vikram Seth are the popular choice here.

4.  Running at airports and pretending to catch a flight despite having sufficient time for doing so. This tends to make them appear as extremely busy and important.

5. Constantly enquiring important business details from colleagues or making business references over phone calls to appear as well versed in the corporate language.

6. To maintain a particular hairstyle such as a ponytail in order to portray oneself as an artist, following the popular dress code for their field such as a kurta, wrist watches, etc. to show their belonging in that particular field. To keep grey hair has become a trend now. 

Our finance minister and famous actors do so. It is a sign to show acceptance towards ageing and looking natural.

7. To identify as a photographer or journalist, to be wear a jacket without a sleeve

8. Introducing out-of-the-box topics while being a part of group discussions such as Bank Repo Rate, Government Policies, etc. to show their interest or more specifically, their knowledge in that particular subject.

9. Touching the feet of elders and very artificially showing concern publically about their health in occasions, to appear as a  very carring and obadiant person.

10. To ask unnecessary questions at children’s’ PTMs to show active concern in their schooling activities and demanding many co-curricular activities for their kids that they don’t even need. 

Calling children by their nicknames in public to draw attention towards them. This trend is usually followed by people under the influence of famous celebrities or the ones who are constantly scrutinized by media.

11. If the people going on the final journey are also forced to take another route from the route where the Prime Minister's convoy is passing, but the ambulance is allowed to pass as per pre-planned. This behavior is alao a hunger of fam covered by fake skin of simplicity

12. Religious gurus and motivational speakers follow a particular dressing style, speaking style and behavioral pattern to be able to differentiate themselves from the like.

13. Bringing a direct shift in habits and day to day practices the moment one becomes rich and begins to gain momentum towards himself in terms of spotlight. Youngsters with affluent parents and generational wealth follow this trend by using renowned products and nothing casual and simple.

14. Pronouncing certain words in a particular manner, speaking English in a different accent especially when it is not natural to them is also a sign of trying to look different.

15. Changing personal choices based on current trends. For example, a tea lover claiming that he simply cannot do without his daily dose of cappuccino, Hazelnut frappe or latte as if he had been originally drinking coffee all this while.

I can give many examples on this subject.

Often there is hypocrisy in preaching the nature of simplicity.

Such people are very necessary, without them my powers of observation would diminish, and on such a subject, how would I write my blogs!!