Cliques?

[crystal]

It seems like they can happen in almost any kind of social situation... at school, at church, on the internet, wherever. Honestly the idea of people being cliquish disgusts me, because it usually means that they won't let anyone into their circle for one reason or another. However I have been a bit cliquish with people in the past as well, so I'm hardly one to talk.

Basically, it seems to me that a clique can be a tight-knit group of people who think they're too cool, they're too good, or they're just too doggone stuck up to see how they're acting and how they're treating the rest of the world, and they can hang out and talk to their heart's content while they ignore people who might otherwise like to be their friends or stomp them under their heel.

Sometimes it happens when the cool crowd is just so arrogant and superior-acting that they wouldn't realize how they're behaving even if someone walked up and slapped them in the face with it. Though I think there can be some cases where some people may not fully realize they're doing it... everyone is human after all, and everyone makes mistakes.

But anyway, even though I have had a very close-knit friendship in the past, one that excluded all others... (in other words, we were a clique) well, the idea of a clique, especially if its a snobby one, can really tick me off. We both realized that we were wrong to be cliquish.

I think that hanging out with friends is fine. I think that being part of a club or a community is fine. And it is understandable that there will always be people who you trust more than others, and who you feel closer to more than others. But if you're going to act like a superior, stuck-up snob and look down on someone just because they're uncool or you think they're an idiot or you don't like the way you talk, then you REALLY need to shut up and stop and look at yourself, because you're just acting like a snob and a jerk.

*ahem* Okay... sorry for the rant. I hope this didn't annoy anyone or anything. If anyone wants to discuss or point out where I might be a bit wrong or out of line here, feel free

[Rain]

I couldnt agree more

Ill admit i was once like this too - i didnt necessarily act snobbish but i have excluded a few people etc

But what annoys me more than anything else is people who act like another person just to be 'cool'. Its better to just be yourself i say

[crystal]

Yeah, if you have to act a certain way just to be friends with someone, they're not worth the trouble. Plus, if I may say so, if someone will stop being your friend, and even stop talking to you, just because you told them what you really thought of them oneday, they are jerks and snobs. Not worth your time.

Now the ones who still talk to you even if you act like a jerk, THEY are really your friends.

I think it's just a shame that there have to be snobs and cliques on the internet as well

[Rain]

Yes i agree but on the internet its less of an issue i think

[crystal]

Yeah that is true

[darthnotrevan]

I agree with all of your posts above posts. Really, cliques are kinda sad...its as if you need 'friends' that are cool to protect you in a sense.

I remember this one fight I got into at karate, really it was kinda sad...all over an accidental kick to the face...

Cliques seem to behave like gangs where I'm at. I kicked the kid in the face, accidentally as I've said, and everyone ganged up on me after class. That was a load of fun, took a hit to the gut. I nailed the kid with a few words and he walked away, amazing what words can do.

But anyway, back on topic. I really wish there was a perfect world where people could just be people, without having to think they have to impress me. If you ask me, that's where friends are lost.

[Junk Angel]

Well it depends - you can have more or less two, three types of cliques.

The first definition is voluntary, forced. For instance, a social group clique - it's actually forced on it's members, since they tend to be excluded form all others, and thus build their own, which only gravitates their problems.

Then there are closed and open cliques.
The closed ones are what one generally sees as those "cool", arrogant etc. Those are closed up communities that don't allow strangers in, and often in one way or other assault people that are not part of their own clique.

Then there are open cliques. This are also a group of people who gather, but contrary to the closed ones, they allow many people in. of course, the people must be accepted in some way. But the vallues they must have, are far more simpler to attain than in closed up cliques.

For instance, if you look at it this way - this forum could qualify as an open clique, the rogue the same. Yet even these open cliques, kick out unwanted people. People who attack members of the existing clique, or the clique itself.

[crystal]

Say those are some very good points

[Mandalorian]

I agree with everythign said above about "closed cliques"but I think that open cliques can actually eb constructive basicly working as a way of keepign people with similar morals together. Liek my freidns adn I could be considered a open clique becouse we are very close but we do accept others, even though they usually haev to prove that they are willign to help the others out. WE are very supportive to each toehr even if it woudln't sem liek that to soem oen slse (we make fun of each toerh all the time but where not really seriouse about it) but when where haveing problems (usualyl whilest in teh kitchen) we help each other out.