are you "ON" today?
We all know them, the people who are 'on' or not depending upon the situation and people surrounding them, but why is it that when they are 'on' they are irritating to us but really charismatic to the others?
Is it just that we know the real person and can see through the act or is that act merely an additional part of their personality that they feel need only be brought out under certain circumstances? Having been accused of being an 'on' person at times I can relate to the reasons why people do it. I will admit that I'm trying to hide certain aspects of myself from the people who really don't know me well and by being 'on' they don't have a chance to see the true me. On the other hand, that 'on' person is still a part of my character and I'll only bring her out under certain circumstances and hopefully those people who do know me understand.
From my observations and personal understanding - the 'on' self doesn't surface unless found in a situation that is either stressful, unusual, or in my case - work related. There is something to be said for the adage "what you see is what you get" and generally, I find most people to be true to that statement; however, there are times one needs to be guarded and the 'on' self is the perfect front. The 'on' self has the ability to engage people in polite conversation and make them feel comfortable by only revealing parts of itself that appear personal. These tidbits are, of course, carefully calculated and really don't mean all that much to the real person the 'on' self is masking.
I said earlier that I have been accused of being an 'on' person and I used that verb knowingly. It does feel like an accusation - an attack of sorts because when you are 'on' you are somewhat aware of this fact but have consciously chosen to be so due to the circumstances - at least that my reasoning. Though it is understandable to be irritated when someone you know really well is putting on a front (I've been there too), if those people truly know you, they know that that is a part of your character - flaw or not.
So - are you 'on' today?
Is it just that we know the real person and can see through the act or is that act merely an additional part of their personality that they feel need only be brought out under certain circumstances? Having been accused of being an 'on' person at times I can relate to the reasons why people do it. I will admit that I'm trying to hide certain aspects of myself from the people who really don't know me well and by being 'on' they don't have a chance to see the true me. On the other hand, that 'on' person is still a part of my character and I'll only bring her out under certain circumstances and hopefully those people who do know me understand.
From my observations and personal understanding - the 'on' self doesn't surface unless found in a situation that is either stressful, unusual, or in my case - work related. There is something to be said for the adage "what you see is what you get" and generally, I find most people to be true to that statement; however, there are times one needs to be guarded and the 'on' self is the perfect front. The 'on' self has the ability to engage people in polite conversation and make them feel comfortable by only revealing parts of itself that appear personal. These tidbits are, of course, carefully calculated and really don't mean all that much to the real person the 'on' self is masking.
I said earlier that I have been accused of being an 'on' person and I used that verb knowingly. It does feel like an accusation - an attack of sorts because when you are 'on' you are somewhat aware of this fact but have consciously chosen to be so due to the circumstances - at least that my reasoning. Though it is understandable to be irritated when someone you know really well is putting on a front (I've been there too), if those people truly know you, they know that that is a part of your character - flaw or not.
So - are you 'on' today?
posted by Maggie at
13.10.07
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