Xerox: the anti-individual

I am participating in the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.  Each day in April (except Sunday), I will post topic themes that begin with the letters of the alphabet, from A-Z.  Today's letter is X.

If there is one thing I can't stand, it's someone who is unoriginal.  I know that we all tend to adopt traits of the people we spend the most time with, but there is a difference between picking up minor characteristics and flat-out identity theft.  First of all, how do you truly know a person when they're pretending to be like someone else?  Secondly, I don't care if they say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".  It's not.  It's annoying.

There have been times in my life that I was easily swayed by other people's opinions and attitudes.  I adapted my tastes to suit the people I cared about because I thought that's what they wanted.  At the magical age of 25, I realized this was causing me a whole lot more trouble that it was helping & I decided it was time to stop with the "false advertising" and just be myself.  I'm still not entirely sure who/what that is, but we all have that sense that lets us know when something feels right or wrong.  I use that to judge where I stand at any given time.   There is a quote, which has been attributed to Kurt Cobain, that says "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not".  That is one of the many sayings that I try to live by.  So maybe I am loud, brash, and irritating.  Don't like it?  Kick rocks.  I'm going to be me & you don't have to like it, but you don't have to hang around, either.  

What really drives me crazy is when people start copying me.  My initial reaction is "why the hell would anyone want to be like me?!  I'm nothing special!".  After a little while, the anger sets in.  I get angry at the idea that I am who I am because of who I descended from and where I've been.  Something I am extremely proud of.  So why should some random Joe Schmo come along & cheapen that by becoming a xeroxed version of me?!  They didn't live my life; they aren't a part of my family.  They don't have the first clue about the things I've seen and done that have brought me to where I am today.  

I'm not saying there aren't people I try to emulate and model myself after.  There are so many strong women for me to look up to and admire.  Like I said before: there is a difference between having a role model and using someone as a full template from which to build yourself.  It's hard to respect someone who can't even be true to themselves. I, personally, have a hard time even being around people who change their faces as often as they change their underwear.  It's too difficult to keep up with all their personalities.  Not to mention, as narcissistic as I can be, I just don't love myself enough to want to be friends with my clone.