YOUR “YELLOW STREAK”

Evening Star, Issue 23129, 1 December 1938, Page 7

YOUR “YELLOW STREAK”

EVERYBODY HAS ONE Everyone has a “ yellow streak,” suggests modern psychological thought. It cam manifest itself in many ways, most of them harmful. But it can be overcome by will-power (says a psychiatrist, in the ‘ South Wales Echo ’). It is no novelty to suggest that every one of us is vulnerable to attack. From time immemorial the cynic has said, “ Every man has his price.” But to-day our knowledge of the psychological workings of the mind has enabled us to .go into this fascinating subject a little more deeply than has previously been possible. In fact, the wise man will force himself to face realities and, by discovering his own yellow streak, will learn not only howto guard himself, but will turn his weakness into a source of strength. American slang has taught us _to think of the yellow streak as meaning only, physical cowardice. Rightly it should have a far wider interpretation than that. It m'ay be any one of a score of the manifestations of fear, hut it may also be any characteristic that puts one at a disadvantage when dealing with one’s fellow men. This sometimes reveals itself in surprising and unexpected ways. In both politics and business one constantly encounters the case of the man with the super-brilliant brain who for some reason fails to reach the heights for which he seemed obviously destined. The yellow streak in this type of man is a too acute awareness of the superlative nature of his own attainments. He becomes impatient of the slower-moving faculties of lessor mortals, and tries to rush his colleagues into hasty decisions. No one occupying a responsible position will tolerate having his mind made up for him, so the brilliant fellow gradually becomes an object of suspicion and distrust. “ If we give this chap any real power he’ll let us in for the Lord knows what before we know where we are,” they say. So the man with the superbrain is left as second in - command, while a man with a. greater respect for the ability of his fellows is given the major post. Occasionally this may mean a hardship to the individual or a loss to the community, hut in the long run it is the safest policy. Another yellow streak that has little to do with fear is the desire to he thought well of by everyone. It may, of course, manifest itself in an excessive “ humbleness ” of the Uriah Heep type. but. more frequently it masquerades as charm or good nature. It is impossible to pursue a definite policy in this life without treading on someone’s corns, but one often meets the man who is anxious to be regarded by subordinates as a thoroughly decent person. They turn a sympathetic ear to endless complaints, make constant readjustments of duties, and in the end cause far more bickering and jealousy than the person _ who says what is wanted and sees it is done—regardless of whether those concerned like it or not.

There' are the usual yellow streaks, such as a weakness for drink, gambling, women, or any other form of vice: there are avarice, flattery, and snobbishness. But these are too well known to be worthy of elaboration. There are, however, two yellow streaks that are not often recognised as such. The first is the inverted snob —the man who associates by preference with

those of a lower social station than himself, so that he may pose as a whale amongst the minnows. The other is the man who chooses as his companions those a great deal younger than himself and basks in their admiration of his superior wisdom and knowledge of the world. Both these failings are forms of fear—fear of having one’s deficiencies exposed. From these examples it is easy to see how to deal with your own yellow streak. Firstly, learn to recognise it and to acknowledge its existence. Then assiduously _ cultivate some quality of an opposite nature. Use it as a shield and buckler in moments of stress, and you may go through most of your life without disclosing the secret of your own special tendon of Achilles.