The case of the exceptionista.

Everyone has that friend who thinks they are the exception & if you don’t, you are probably her. The girl who pouts if it is their turn to be designated driver, the girl who has to dictate the night’s festivities, otherwise they will get drunk & cause a scene & the girl who freaks out if the group grabs dinner without her. However, she cannot understand why other’s get upset when this happens to them.  I will call this girl the exceptionista. The exceptionista is the breed of human who holds social reign, dictating, but making herself immune to the restrictions she has set for everyone else; AKA the exception. Physical characteristics normally consist of attractive facial features with a subtle pout & a permanent expression of self-admiration. A great example of this person would be Regina George in “Mean Girls”. Tina Fey obviously has taken time to study this “kind” seeing as she executed the character flawlessly in her astute screenplay. (If you do not know this movie, please rent it ASAP.

This anomaly is one that we all fall victim to. We normally fail to see the authoritarianism until the said dictator does something to really piss us off, or if a third party shows you the light, (highly unlikely to be effective).  The reason for our ignorance toward someone so self-involved & dense about any form of empathy is because we are naturally drawn to being around attractive people. As much as we want to fight it, we let these exceptionistas get their way because we do not want to disturb the delicate ecosystem in which the attractive & dramatic cohabitate with us. It is sad because it really is like an abusive relationship. The worse they treat us, the more we want them to like us (another fabulous thought from the writing genius of Tina Fey).

With all of this being said, we are the reinforcers. No one could hold up such an arrogant existence if they had their ego bruised; even once would bring it down a notch. It is these girls who have been molded by the insistent hands we possess. If their parents were to have told them “no” when they were younger, or if girls didn’t fawn over every move they made, or if boys didn’t chase them around the playground in a juvenile form of flattery, they would have a normal prospective of social conduct, like you & me. They would be happy to take their turn of being sober behind the wheel, they would be flexible toward the night’s plans & they would understand that they do not need to be involved in every little activity the group does. So, while we are the gum on the bottom of their shoe that just won’t quit, they are the person who knows nothing other than reaping the benefits society is all too ready to give.

It is a delicate ecosystem & not one that can be tampered with aggressively. I am not suggesting there be a war on the pedestaled. I am just suggesting that we confront our oblivion & put the exceptionistas in their place when need be; otherwise, we will forever oblige & accommodate them in efforts to avoid ostracism. We should try to make the relationship among girls friends that of a democracy & regain our dignity we have so flippantly put aside. Nay to you, Exceptionista. You are one of us & nothing more. 

Yours,

DB