Poll: Be yourself: bad advice?

[GigaHz]

You can still be yourself and learn ways of bettering yourself.

Just because you should be yourself at all times doesn't mean you are a shinning example of what a person should be. You have to make yourself aware of your faults and how it may affect those around you while taking the proper steps to correct it.

So no, being yourself is never bad advice. You should just be yourself in the correct context of a given situation, and learning how to do that takes time and experience.

 

[n00beffect]

I don't know, that's too relative to be decided with just a vote. I mean, there are instances where you should and you shouldn't be, it all depends on the situation. For example, if you're a child-molesting,rapist,serial killer,animal beater freak with a vast collection of weaponry at your disposal, and your constant thoughts and urges are to kill something, or along those lines, then no, don't be yourself. But I guess in any other case it wouldn't hurt...

 

[HardkorSB]

I've been wondering, isn't "be yourself" the worst piece of advice ever? I'd love to believe the world is sunshine and rainbows, and that people will accept or at least tolerate the person you really are, but that's simply not true. People have been put through hell for being themselves, people have even been killed for following this advice. I tried "being myself" all through school, it only got me extra beatings. This is an intolerant, anti-individualist society, and that needs to change, but it ain't gonna change for a while yet, and so people who are different from the societal norm perhaps should keep their heads low around people they don't know and don't trust. When you are alone, or around a group of people you know and trust, then's the time for "yourself", but if you expect safety, it may be best to keep that hidden in public.

TLR (seriously? It's one paragraph. Damn "too lazy didn't read"...): I feel "be yourself" is dangerous advice. What do you think?

DISCLAIMER: I am not against self expression, but whilst people should be able to be themselves, too often it isn't safe to be. At least, in my opinion.

The more exposure others will have to the "different" people, the sooner it will change. If everyone is going to hide in the societal norm then it will never happen.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

Not if being yourself means tuenig into a psychotic killer, than being yourself would be the worst advice. I am myself, but mostly because I don't care what others think about me if I dont know them. All in all, I believe there is a time and place.

 

[Benny Blanco]

"Be yourself, provided your self is not a complete Ass-Clown, otherwise moderate towards the modal behaviour" is probably better advice, but less likely to sell motivational tchotchkes...

 

[Shakespeario]

'Be yourself' is usually advice given to you by someone who already knows enough of your details and faults that they feel the good outweigh the bad. What they are really saying is be the 'best you'. There's good and bad in everybody and upon meeting new people we should all try to focus on the good. The bad will make its self known soon enough. Being yourself is certainly not marching up to someone and telling them everything you think is wrong with yourself and then complaining that you were just being yourself. You were only being the worst parts of yourself. I don't feel this makes you any less of an individual. Personally, I'm a cruel and condescending manipulator but I'm also very well spoken and polite. See- I'm being myself but in a nice way.

 

[amadhatter]

I say be yourself in as uncompromising a way as possible. The people who like me think I'm the shit, and I have no interest in the people who aren't interested in me. If it ends with an angry mob at your front door, then it's probably for the best, anyways.

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

depends, are you an assh*le? then prolly best not to be yourself. But then ultimately, youre lying to everyone who may meet you and all that so i guess, its not really good advice NOT to be yourself too... hmmmm....

 

[Esotera]

To quote the great philosophers, Pantera: "Be yourself, by yourself, away from me"

Being yourself can really irritate some people, so I find it best to live by this philosophy. I don't believe anyone can truly be themselves in the company of others anyway, so yes it's bad advice.

 

[drisky]

If there is something one does not like about them self, they should be welcome to change it. I see that sort of thing on children's shows all the time and it happens while someone is trying something new, which is far from a bad thing regardless if it doesn't work out.

 

[Togs]

People hate phonies, even if you cant think they can tell trust me they can.
But in saying that if your a generally unpleasant person then hiding and controlling that is best- just work at changing/ improving yourself.

EDIT= Also, secondary school is the worst time for "individuals", once you leave it all gets rapidly better.

 

[Raikov]

Being myself got me a really good job =)

And a girlfriend.

And life usually flows better when I stop trying to fit into others expectations.

 

[Sarah Frazier]

"Be yourself, provided your self is not a complete Ass-Clown, otherwise moderate towards the modal behaviour" is probably better advice, but less likely to sell motivational tchotchkes...

Pretty much this. Everyone has quirky behaviors that others see as strange or completely bizarre, so toning down those things will give you a better chance at finding people who don't mind or actually enjoy whatever it is that sets you apart. Once you've found people who accept the quirks, assuming it isn't something that could get you arrested, then it's fine to loosen up more until you really can be yourself.

 

[Filiecs]

I say be yourself just as long as it doesn't infringe on someones rights, however, don't be too surprised if they get annoyed at you for being yourself. (But there is a difference between someone ignoring you because they find you annoying and someone making fun of you for being yourself) Also, if you make a friend while being yourself than that person is probably a better friend than those who befriend you for conforming to their standards because a true friend will like you for who you really are.

Overall, it's good advice. Personally I hate my ego but sometimes I need it to keep myself from annoying other people.

 

[Kair]

I don't see how you could be anyone other than yourself.

 

[Dyme]

Maybe I am just a horrible person, but I can't recommend "being yourself".

 

[Sandernista]

How can you be honest with others if you can't be honest with yourself?

How do ninja's know my motto?!