This week’s word is an energy neutral term and yet is most commonly thought and used in a negative context.

“ATTITUDE”

a point of view, vantage point, frame of mind or perspective of an individual or a group, towards another individual, thing or situation

A predisposition or a tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain idea, object, person, or situation. Attitude influences an individual’s choice of action, and responses to challenges, incentives, and rewards.

(as defined on BusinessDictionary)

The word attitude has always interested me, just the way a hot pan interests a child who has been specifically told not to touch it.

Look at the definition and meaning of this word people! Not once does any definition say that it’s about the unacceptable or negative behaviours or situations. And yet how often is it said “You have attitude”, “You better watch that attitude of yours”, “I don’t like him, he has an attitude” and on and on…

If Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s words about attitude-

“The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them”

are to be believed, then our attitude towards attitude is what needs our attention.

I’m not sure what started it, but the common connotation and usage of the word is heavily negative, even though it is something that helps distinguish one from another. Its as unique as personality.

Come to think of it, it feels like an elaborate sadistic scheme. Like one fine boring morning someone decided to make a list of words such as breasts, ATTITUDE, sensuality, menstruation, depression, etc. and met up with a bunch of buddies. He shared the list with them along with his plan- “I’m going to create a certain amount of discomfort around these words and lets see if it goes viral”. And it did! *face palm* *eyes rolling into my head*

The taboo on it is so strong that when we intend to use the word ‘attitude’ with a positive connotation we tend to used the word positive or a synonym of it to explain our context (good, bright, growth oriented, etc…).

Am I getting to any point with it?

NO

Well this is just my rant about a phenomenon that I refuse to understand.