ATTITUDE
I'm constantly confronted by words I thought I knew but which have changed. The young people I speak to use words I used as a young person but they mean something different. A good example is the word attitude. My dictionary still tells me that attitude means a way of thinking about someone or something but that definition doesn't fit the way people use the word lately. Now people seem to use the word to mean a way of talking or dressing or acting that makes a statement that the person is different, or, sometimes, better than others. In a way, having "attitude" in this sense is having confidence in one's difference. In any event, people seem to applaud those with "attitude".
If I'm understanding correctly, I can't quarrel with this new use of the word. I like to think of an attitude as something we can work on to improve our lives and those of others. I like to believe that our attitude towards others is a way of thinking which will be helpful, not something which separates us or makes us feel better at the expense of others. But confidence is helpful in these pursuits.
If attitude in its new usage simply means pride, identification as a person, self-respect, it's good to have attitude. Attitude in this sense would be something to applaud. My only concern is that attitude expresses an attitude of superiority. But if attitude is a way of differentiating oneself from others, not saying better but different, then I accept attitude as a desirable trait. If attitude is a way of expressing one's desire to be better, to do one's best, to be a good person without following group instincts, group mores, having attitude is good.
None of us wants to be a mere face in the crowd, a gray ghost who disappears in groups, a constant follower with no opportunity to stand out, a nonentity with no notable characteristics. We all want something, some activity, some hobby, some relationship, some skill where we can stand out, where we can be special. As long as we don't hurt others, expressing our individuality is ok, being different is no crime. As long as we remember the primary goal of helping others, helping to improve other lives, attitude which expresses pride in ourselves and the desire to be a good person is a good thing. While I'm interested in how words change and I sometimes find myself bewildered by new uses of old words, I don't quarrel with the new uses and, in this case, I find myself applauding those with my new understanding of attitude.*
12-3-01
*If I'm misunderstanding the new meaning, I hope someone will e-mail me to correct my error.
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