Barbie's Ugly Dress

Barbie's Ugly Dress

Did anyone hear the CBC Radio program Tapestry on the topic of Narcissism?  They were talking about me.  I heard my personality being eviscerated on the radio.  My worst flaw was exposed for all to see.  Did you know one of the defining characteristics of a narcissist is the inability to see the truth in oneself?

Apparently writing blogs and posting on Facebook are common manifestations of this particular personality disorder.

I took the personality test on the CBC website to see how I rated on the narcissistic scale.  Normal is around 15 and reality show contestants tend to score about 19.  My score was 4.  That makes me a narcissist and a self-deluded liar!

I mentioned in an earlier post that I teach English as a Second Language to new Canadians.  Language learners are often blind to the nuances of the language and can make glaring mistakes in register.  A common example would be to use the crude synonym for  a bodily function rather than a more acceptable one like defecate.

Sometimes I take newly produced Barbies to school to show off.  (I TOLD you I was a narcissist.)  The one shown here was included in a group of four or five.  A lovely young woman from Afghanistan picked it up and said, "This one is ugly."  I explained that her sentence was blunt to the point of rudeness and suggested she say something like, "I like the colour of the skirt." or "There are lots of beads".  She listened carefully, nodded and put down the Barbie.  "Yes", she said, "but it is ugly."

But I know that everything I make is worthy of note.

My name is Suzan, queen of queens:
Look on my Barbies, ye Mighty, and despair!'  (apologies to Shelley)

There, Narcissism, Hubris and possibly Schadenfreude all in one post.  Plus an ugly dress.