There's a comedian, he's one of my favorites. His name is Aziz Anzari and he is very talented at what he does. Recently, he released as a Netflix exclusive his newest special which occurred in Madison Square Garden. During this special he addressed, with a comedic spin of course, a topic we all know all too well: How to handle the situation when we like someone or vice versa. Upon beginning this topic he addresses first how others tend to embrace ourselves when feelings come into play and points out that there's three ways things can go about: (1) The person just ignores our advances and goes else where, (2) the person makes up a lie as to why they can't be with us, or (3) the person is just honest and says how they feel. After gauging the audience, he establishes that we would all prefer number three when on the receiving end of feelings. Anzari proceeded to give the same scenario, but this time with the shoe on the other foot; with ourselves as the person to make the final call or not. He presented the same 3 options of how to handle it, it was concluded that we as a society would prefer to address the person using scenario 1 or 2. He concludes the routine by posing the question: why is it when the shoe is on the other foot we like the one option, but when it's on our foot we prefer the other option.
The answer to the question is quite simple really: FEAR! We have live in a society that has been longed dominated by the ideologies of a past that hasn't been in existence for a while. With it has come a way of doing things that you either align with or not. One of those things is feelings, specifically of the romantic type. We expect one thing when we like someone else and let them know, but do the other when the role is reversed. As I have already said, it's because of fear, specifically a type of fear known as vulnerability. WHY? Because one of the ideologies that has ruled this society since created is that vulnerability is unacceptable. It's a sign of weakness and must never be shown, but the irony of it all is that we still expect others to show it to us.
So here we are at a crossroads as a society on how to handle how we address each other. To often I have hear both guys and gals say, "I don't know why we can't just be honest with each other on how we feel with each other!" And when I reply, "Then why don't you do something about it and step up to the plate?" They don't know how to proceed and our usually a little tongue tied which has lead me to my own question. If we all feel the same way on this issue, and we all believe we should all just say how we feel because would want and expect the same, then why don't we already. Obviously popular support is behind us. The public want each other to be honest and vulnerable, so why not as individuals do so: BE HONEST AND VULNERABLE!
So here is my challenge to you if you have read this: If you like someone tell them, because you'd want the same. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY AND THE BIGGER MESSAGE: If someone tells you they like you, be honest with them about how you feel, because again you would want the same; you'd be up all night racking your head about if they weren't. You know you would, and I bet you, you have. I know have. So if we all ultimately want the same in social decorum specifically in this facet, it's time for all of us to step up to the plate as individuals, so that eventually we will create a movement as a COHESIVE UNIT. Think about it. That's all.
