Pride in Looking the Same

Why is it that in an individualistic country such as our own the majority of people tend to want to be like a regular cow in the herd like all the rest? It seems that even though many claim they want to make an impact in the world and to be remembered, most do all they can so that this doesn't happen.

The fact is that there are different types of stand-outs: positive ones, negatives, and neutral. The majority of people will be less prone to remembering the neutral as they will be of remembering the positives and negatives. But, all three types of stand-outs will be more likely to be remembered than a regular cow in the herd.

LeBron James is a stand-out in basketball because of his amazing athletic ability. Ben Wallace is a stand-out for his defensive presence and his hair. Kiss is a stand-out because of their incomparable shows. George Bush is a stand-out for his knack at slipping up at the mic. These are the things people remember. Not many will remember Mark Lemke of the Atlanta Braves. Not many will remember Chris Dudley, except for his horrible free throw shooting. Some "stand-outs" would rather not be remembered, like Bush for his infamous Bush-isms. Others, like the before-mentioned Kiss, should take great pride in knowing they put on a great live performance. Yet others (the neutral), in the long run, become blurred in with the rest of the herd.

Last night, I was a neutral stand-out at a wedding in how I presented myself. I was more dressed up than usual, but not in the traditional wedding sense. As it was not a themed wedding, I didn't wear a sombrero or Dr. Seuss hat, didn't draw any attention to myself with politically-themed t-shirts or speedos, and didn't wear sneakers. I looked different than most, but not necessarily in a positive or negative manner. My outfit on its own didn't draw any attention to itself. But, in a crowd of almost identical looking outfits, it may have stood out some.

So, why is it that people "feel" so good in looking the same to many others? Do they genuinely feel good when they look at themselves in the mirror? Is it more them feeling good when walking into a crowded place in knowing that tradition states that they are well dressed and look good? When people compliment them. Are many of those compliments sincere? Are they simply habit? Do they truly believe the individual looks nice or is it based on their belief that the particular attire is adult, mature, and shows the person in a somewhat new light?

Regardless of the answers to those questions, I find it humorous that so many people decide to dress almost identically at an event where clothing selections are voluntary.

Since it is the big day for the bride and groom, they'll always see themselves as stand-outs on their wedding day. But, to outsiders, who've been to several different traditional weddings, no one person serves as a major stand-out. If one is talking about themed weddings, then we can start talking about stand-outs, but that's a whole another circumstance right there.