Search For Popularity

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 14

Search For Popularity

Popularity is rather like charm—you’re either made that way or you’re not! It is easy to see what makes people popular, but you don’t seem to get the desired results from all your earnest exorts to model yourself upon the same plan.

There is real tragedy in many cases behind these failures, for nowadays the importance of “getting together” with other people is emphasised more strongly than it was in earlier generations. The personal note is recognised now as essential in every kind of business, and the attractive manner that used to be required mainly in securing a job is now equally necessary for holding it down.

If you are an industrious and efficient worker, nothing can be more galling than to observe how easily success can come to others who do nothing to deserve it but merely exercise their gift for making social contacts. Life as we lead it now rejects the maxims of our copybooks. and it almost seems that modern parents should warn their children against the temptation of “early to bed and early to rise,” because the late bird who is never too tired to “go places” makes useful contacts with the worms w r orth having. It is certainly a fact that parents nowadays tend to regard facile friendliness as the supreme gift to be bestowed by the fairy godmother at the christening of a child. It is accepted that school reports to satisfy the parents must indicate an adequate development of the social consciousness, for many people would rather be assured that their children got on well with their fellows than that they got ahead of all competitors in book work.

It is very doubtful, however, if popularity at school is so desirable, for the standards by which a youthful community judges are inevitably superficial. Boys will worship the hero who plays games well, or who has the “poker face” that allows him to rag an unsuspecting master to the delirious joy of the form for a whole term. Girls are equally impressed by the athlete among them.

Is It Really Worthwhile?

There is, also, a species of snobbery that draws them to the pretty and precocious girl, who relays gossip from her mother’s drawing room and who graciously patronises her humble and gawky admirers. Even in the wider sphere of grown up existence there are compensations for the reserved people who lack the gift of fellowship. Just call to mind all the most popular men and women you have ever met, and ask yourself if in time of trouble you would turn confidently to any one of them for help. Would you, indeed, rely on any of them in any way? It is usually true that nobody does rely on these charming people, for they are far too busy with -their hosts of friends to give any real concentration to the affairs of one. Everyone finds them delightful and jolly to meet, but nobody with any sense asks more than that of

So do you really think that a winning manner is desirable above all things? Surely it is better to be the solid reserved type that a few folk value, rather than the cheery acquaintance of hundreds who would disclaim at once any suggestion that they regarded you as a real friend.