Behind Those Labels

When you have to hide, it means you are scared. You know what, labels provide a remarkably comfortable hiding place.

We insist with all our heart not to be grouped into boxes. We insist that we are absolutely unique individual and that we are ‘beautiful freaks’.  On the other hand, we abuse the usage of labels. Plainly because it simplifies understanding process with much less words being uttered.

The label I am talking about is of course equivalent to famous brands in our daily life. Apple gadgets, Aston Martin cars, Richard Mille watches, Amex Centurion credit card and so on. Those labels helped us define who we are; they become a part of our identity. We find comfort and a sense of belonging with these classifications. It helps us feel different to wear these labels throughout our body. How ironic.

Social climber is often associated with this symptom, however I still find many who are well off and yet being over dependent with labels. Insecurity and uncomfortable feeling of being small or invisible are sensed when the labels cloak is taken away. Not saying that I am not one of the ‘label fugitives’, believe me I have my own spot of hiding deep beneath.

Label is not restricted to brands nonetheless, but also to connections and big names. “I am a friend of X company’s owner”; “Oh my uncle is the most influential politician in the country”; “I only hangout in ABC café with XYZ gang from NYC”; Do they sound familiar?

Some feels complete only when greeted with their profession rank or academic reputation. While being seen (or checking in) only at the right places is everything for others.

There is exactly nothing wrong with these labels, or profession rank, academic reputation, big names or other kind of ownership stats. They were created to show and rate accomplishment, to give people a reward for their past hard work. It is a great attribute system and powerful encouragement to look forward to. It becomes unfitting when these attributes transform into main essences, or when people are annoyed of hearing your useless bragging about how you spent a million bucks in an hour last weekend. Uploading pictures of your recent purchases with their tag on is included, by the way.  

So what’s your rank in the Labelville?