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 6th
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?
