It is a phrase that has permeated novels, television, and more recently, social media. We’ve all heard it, but not many of us have stopped to think about the underlying connotation. I am talking of course about the phrase “I’m/You’re not like other girls”.
The phrase is generally intended as a compliment; whether we are complimenting ourselves and pointing out what makes us unique, or is bestowed upon us by an admiring male. No matter what form it is in, it tends to make us feel good. I mean who doesn’t want to hear about how cool and different they are? I certainly do, but not in a way that pits me against other girls.
While it seems like such a kind and innocent compliment, it is actually quite backhanded. While it is saying that you are wonderful, it is at the expense of other girls. It is saying that you are better than other girls for one thing or another. What’s so wrong with other girls?
Celebrating yourself and the things the things that make you unique is great. Everyone should have the self-confidence to do that. But when does raising ourselves up cross the line into tearing others down? When we say that we are not like others in a way that clearly shows that we mean we are better, we are tearing others down. In a simple sentence we discredit everything unique about other girls. Everything they celebrate about themselves is brushed away in seconds, swept under the rug of a tired cliché.
It is a vast and ugly generalization as well. How could we possibly know what every other girl is like? For all we know there is a girl out there who likes all the same things as us, who has the same favorite songs and drinks the same kind of coffee. There are also going to be girls who are completely different, who love all the things you hate but are never the less wonderful people.
We can never know, so why should we imply that we are better?
Everyone has things about them that make them different. We all have our own hobbies, ideas, and way of doing things. Difference is what makes life exciting, it keeps us guessing and on our toes. Celebrate what makes you unique and different, celebrate the heck out of it, but don’t forget to celebrate others as well.
