Copycat When is it enough?

Dictonary.com explains a copycat to be a "person or thing that copies imitates mimics or follows the lead of another; imitating or repeating a recent, well know occurrence." The term is derived from the fact that kitten mimic their mothers behaviour.

Most of us would like to think of ourselves as individuals, but aren't we all copycats to some degree? Where did you get the idea of your outfit today? Did you see somebody else wearing it? Did you see a celebrity wearing it in a magazine? Most of us would have to agree that we copied one or more of our outfits from another, especially when one clothing item is made and sold to hundreds of people all over Australia. We all would have to admit to feeling upset if we were spotted in the one place where another person was wearing our outfit! It also doesn't help that brand name clothing, which cost more money, is now being copied in smaller stores and being sold for a fraction of the price.

We all copy what the stars are wearing whether we saw their outfit on TV or in the latest magazine. Celebrities are scruitnised over copycat hairstyles, lyrics and pregnancies by the media and there is an uproar if they are photographed in the same outfit if another celebrity has already worn it. You will even see them compared in magazines on who the dress/outfit looked best on. But then, there are people being paid to be look-alikes to famous celebrities now, how many Elvis look alikes are there?.

Although it isn't just outfits and hairstyle we are copying it could be our lunches, mobile phones and hand bags, anything really! So where do we draw the line on what it is acceptable to copy? It's ok to copy fashion, food, lifestyle trends that we see in media, but is it ok to copycat our friends? When does it become dangerous or uncomfortable? 'Single white female'... or a csi copycat murderer?

The idea of the copycat effect is a phenomenon which refers to the fact that the media sensationalises violent murders, suicides and shoplifting causing the small minority to 'want to be like that'. A 'copycat killer' is a person that hears about another's crime and follows the same steps of the original killer even down to choosing the same victims. This is where the idea of copycats becomes extremely dangerous and obviously this isn't acceptable in any means.

In Australia due to the increasing amount of copycat suicides a journalism code was designed, meaning that suicides and attempted suicides where not shown or given any mention at all in the media. Photographs and images where strictly forbidden from the media also. Copycats copied the suicides of others for attention, as they saw that those who committed suicide where given attention and media coverage and wanted the same. Therefore a code was designed to prevent this and hopefully save lives.

Do we copy others because we like their ideas and the way they look? Or is it because we want to be 'in style' and follow the same trends that everyone else is? What do you do when someone in your circle of friends is obviously copying you, what you do? When someone copies you do you feel flattered or annoyed?

At first I guess you may feel flattered to know that you are being copied, this being a status symbol and you know that you are being looked up to by others, but over time I'm sure if it continues, you will be annoyed and overall very peeved off. As much as we strive to be individuals if another is copying you how can you be an individual?

So what motivates copycats? Jealousy, envy, acceptance? The grass is always greener on the other side and the majority of copycats are simply not comfortable with who they are. They look for inspiration in others, and believe if they look or act the same way, they too can have your lifestyle. So where is the acceptable line? It's a very grey area that is different for eveyone. What's ok to copy1. you buy the same top as your friend, but you wear it when you see a different set of friends.2. you buy the same top and you make it your own unique style3. you order the same food - sounds good what your friend is having.4. book a holiday - don't book it at the same time though.5. technology - same phones ok, make it yours with different phone accessories.When it's not ok to copy1. show up to the same event or night out looking exactly the same 2. if you friend feels uncomfortableWhat motivates people to be copycats? Is it a symbol of status that people desire? That if your work mate looks trendy with her I-phone? It will make you also be viewed as trendy if you have that I-phone? Is it that the copycat just wants to fit in? When it turns to the copycat copying every single thing another person does it can turn to dangerous territory and cause problems like stalking?

If you find that someone is copying you and it is annoying, not flattering, you are best to confront them about it, tell them that it annoys you and it is just plain not on.

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