How Pleasing

You should know that I was born with PPD - People Pleasing Disorder. For those of you who aren't familiar with PPD, it is a very serious disorder characterized by excessively pretending to like things you don't really like and the strict avoidance of any and all strong opinions, except those that others will most likely agree with.

Case in point: my high school journal, and I quote:
"I went to prom with J. It was so fun! He really likes to fast dance, which is so cool, because I totally love to fast dance but none of my other dates ever want to."

"I played sand volleyball last night with J. It is like the funnest sport ever! I can't wait to do it again."

Let me be perfectly clear here - both of those statements are boldfaced lies. In addition to PPD, I was also born with a high-level lack of coordination, making fast dancing and sand volleyball two things I should never do. And that's not just me saying that, I've heard it from several other people as well.

My ever supportive sister says that we're all delusional when we're in love. Well, then, I must be in love with her, because I hide my O Magazine every time she comes over, since I know she hates Oprah (I never watched the show, I just like all the book reviews in the magazine).

Please note how I felt compelled to defend myself at the end of that last paragraph. If that is not an indication of the advanced state of my disease, I don't know what is.

I have also pretended for years that yellow is my favorite color, when I actually enjoy orange, blue and green equally as much. I just made up yellow because people expect you to have a favorite color.  It pleases them.

Anyway, since I rarely have the courage to say my real opinions in public (the few that I've formed, anyway), I thought I'd write up a short list that you can print and keep in your wallet for handy reference:

* I like homemade pie. A lot.

Pretty controversial, I know.

Aw, don't worry, fellow PPD sufferers. People pleasing is fairly harmless as long as you don't compromise your core values. So, if someone wants you to rob a store with them, you simply must put your foot down and say, "No, I don't do that." They may not be too pleased with you, but if they start to get angry you can quickly calm them down by telling them what your favorite color is. That pleases almost everyone ;)


And yes, if you used to read Currant Pie, you've seen a version of this post before. I thought it would be fun to move a few of my most popular posts over here. And I was right, that was so fun!