Countering Cliques: Just Say No

 Arthur A. Garcia, staff writer 

According to Webster’s Dictionary, a clique is “a narrow, exclusive circle or group of persons; especially: one held together by common interests, views, or purposes.”  That doesn’t sound that bad, but what about the group of people whose only purpose in life is to make others feel bad.

At one point in life, everyone has been a part of a clique.  While in high school, I was part of a group of people who were mainly band and theater members.  Wow, I was a nerd, but it was fun.  I’m not going to lie and say we never made fun of people, though I can say that we didn’t do things to anyone with the intentions of making their lives miserable.  When you’re a kid, and even as an adult, judging is an innate trait.  It’s something that we’ve all done.  As an adult, I might judge someone unknowingly in my mind, but I guarantee you that I’m not going to ridicule them to the point of hurting their feelings.  My parents can be proud that they raised me, well, semi-decently.  I do have a heart.

I noticed that my social circle was not very large, and so I decided to attempt to be more of a social person.  My lifestyle encouraged me to go out and meet more people.  Now I know why I chose to have a selected few as friends.  Some people are horrible. 

I know this sounds naïve, but it amazes me to see how people can constantly judge other people for any little reason.  The clothes they’re wearing, the company they’re keeping, appearances, man, it goes on and on.

I’ve come to the conclusion that people who constantly judge other people are miserable.  And it’s obvious that misery loves company.  Therefore, they’re always trying to make someone feel bad.

I pity those people.  I’m glad that I have good self esteem to the point that I don’t let what other people might say about me get to me.  But what about those who are affected by these evil cliques?

I guess in order to not be affected by what other people say, a person has to be strong internally.  I know that people who have nothing else better to do than to make fun of others are pathetic.  Granted this article does give to those cliques what they desire, which is attention. But its sole purpose is to help those affected to learn to not let what other people might say bother them.

Sure, they’ll give the dirty looks and the whispers will be there.  But think about how stupid they look when you don’t acknowledge them.

I love people and having friends, but I refuse to be a part of a group of people who find criticizing and judging others extracurricular.  It doesn’t make any sense to me. 

You can expect cliques in high school and during your adolescence.  To see it still going on while you’re an adult is ridiculous.  I’m a strong believer in karma, and it amuses me to think of the members of these bad cliques eventually turning on each other.  I don’t believe in wishing bad upon another individual, but I also believe what goes around comes around.

The best thing you can ever do if you feel that you are being harassed by a clique is to ignore them.  It’s going to make them even angrier, because they see that they’re not getting to you. 

Besides, you’re better than that to give them the satisfaction of being bothered by whatever they might think.  Remember, you’re always going to be awesome.