Doppleganger Danger

We have had movies about it, books about it and its fun at times but for the people who suffer from the wrath of copycats, it is a pain in the ass. Some say it is a form of flattery – Honey let me tell you it isn’t. We have all had that “special” someone – be it a cousin, a colleague at work, a friend or hell even your mother (psst aka Chris Jenner). It is not a very pleasant experience. It almost like a contrarily structured version of you within the parameters of your vision. There are a lot of articles on the internet about how to tackle this situation, however I feel it’s not really possible. A copycat is a really insecure person without a sense of self. They have limited experience and rather than seeking that exposure on their own they encroach on your ideals/working style/ fashion sense etc. take your pick.

So here is my know-how on the subject. Well, it starts off very sluggish so you don’t even grasp it actually. You see this person as you would another. Though, the biggest point of anguish for them is that they never really have a sense of their own style or trait. Their range is restricted and they really do not get the notion of whatever it is that are insecure about. I feel that at this point they are so unified with the milieu that there is no one to notice them, sadly not even themselves. They do not get any interest from others which compels them to be veiled further. Then somehow you come into the picture – maybe you just joined an organization, or you just joined facebook. Suddenly this person see’s you as an inspiration – what leads to that is something that they are yet to discover. They start following your moves. At first it is quite normal and you don’t even feel that someone is encroaching on your individuality. There are stages to this which I have fathomed and they are as follows:

Stage 1: The Compliment Croon

As soon as the copycat is in your vicinity, they start complimenting on everything that even minutely related to you. Initially it might be “oh you are looking very nice”. Or it might be oo that frame if nice, which app did you use or which all networking sites you use. There is a “like” on every picture, a comment on every whatsapp picture change. Cool enough right – no threat there. You start to put your guard down, and the minute you become comfortable it progresses to the next stage.

Stage 2: The Follower Fellow

Now gradually the copycat constantly follows your every move, you don’t realise it and I think at a subconscious level they don’t either. But they start to observe little things that others don’t generally observe. For instance if someone compliments on your clothes – the copycat will ask you later where you got it from. They ask you generally where you shop from. They observe what products you use. The minute you say it boom the copycat goes on a shopping spress and the next time you meet them they have on or are using whatever products that you are using. They want to tag along for when you are shopping or ask you to accompany them when you are shopping and buy whatever you suggest or a copy of what you buy. They will go to all the people you go to – if you get highlights – they will get it, same hair stylist, same tailor and all that jazz. They will follow your every “activity” on social media. You see a picture of them in the exact same pose or background or action and instantly remember the shot you had posted a while back.They know your schedule. This now becomes a bit irritating.

Stage 3: The Creeper Climber

This is the stage things begin to get interesting, by now the copycat has begun to establish a secure sense of self (aka – your sense), and they see you as competition. Things turn from admiration to threat. They suddenly want all the attention. You come dressed and they will scan you from top to bottom. Noticing every little thing that you are wearing. At this stage, you start to get hints because you know the 6^th sense and all that really works. You know what emotion the other is projecting. There will be other people who notice this and will point it out but too late – you have just created another “you”.

Stage 4: The Jealousy Jester

Now this is the stage you should be really careful off and start to back up a little. This is the stage where threat turns into certainty. The copycat’s persona is glorified. They have attained a sense of self and they now take you as a threat. They consciously or subconsciously will try to harm you. At this stage I really don’t know how to combat this but experience tells me its best to move away from this situation.

It might be tiresome activity to “fashion” someone unknowingly but it is really a problem that needs to be tackled. The repercussions of it place an impression on your self-assurance and ofcourse hampers the relations. But then again, I always end up thinking – am I the only one who has battled this situation?