Garrison Keillor, a famous shy person, says that discrimination against the shy is a number one national disgrace. He invites all who feel up to it to join him in the "Shy Rights Movement" or "gesture" ('Shy Rights, Why Not Pretty Soon?"--HAPPY TO BE HERE)
He says that thousands of shys are victimized each year by self-help programs that claim to cure shyness, when the truth is that shys are afraid to dispute this claim. But he insists that shyness is not a disease to be cured, but the way we are. So he urges SHY PRIDE. Shy Pride isn't something that we shout about at rallies and marches, but is reserved for the many private moments when we keep our thoughts to ourself, such as: "Shut up and be proud!" Those of us who have ever paid a restaurant bill when we haven't ordered can appreciate that thought.
I agree that it's time we shys get organized and promote SHY PRIDE. Why not name a street after some shy person that nobody knows? End the shameful neglect of Shy History and write books about people who are NOT famous. Do a personality profile of the Invisible Man. Declare February 29th a National Shy Hoilday.
Compile a Shy Dictionary. The shy micro vocabulary of: "Yes, no, maybe" is a condensed language that is rich with meaning. Just add nouns, verbs, and adjectives for instant senences.
End job discrimination by hiring shys for jobs such as airline stewardess, receptionist, and president. A shy president would be less inclined to get us into war. And I know most of us would appreciate door-to-door salesmen who are too shy to knock on our door or call us by phone.
Keillor warns us, however, to beware of a radical militant group of shys who don't speak for the rest of us and not very often for themselves. Their terrifying goal is to inherit the earth!
The danger is that if we listen to them, we might lose the rights we have already gained, such as library cards.
Alias, Katbird.
*****
Footnote: Twenty years ago, when a few of you (18-under) weren't even born, I did use part of this for a letter-to-the-editor that was printed on July 6, 1987 (letter number 30 of mine printed).
alt.support.shyness
katbird Says:alt.support.shyness is a good web site for shys to check out.
Back in 1987, when Garrison and I wrote the above shyness stuff, there was no internet. There was limited information on shyness. Most shys had to sink or swim on their own. Of course, they would be too shy to ask for help, even if it were there. Now there are a million web sites. Shys actually are getting organized!
And that is a good thing, because more people today are becoming shy for various reasons talked about on the site (computers taking the place of real people, and children no longer free to play without supervision)--as much as 50% of our population! I am no longer alone.
In our culture, of course, that is a disadvange for getting jobs. But in China, according to that web site, it is the shy children who are more likely to be considered for leadership!
According to the above web site's test, I am at the extreme end (but I still do things!). Most people are inbetween.
Alias, Katbird.
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»oh thank you Katbird
LSK49rs Says:I have often said that while I don't get to use my fear of people as an excuse to hide from the world I really wish people would stop trying to cure me of it....thanks, Katbird!
(I'd offer to take you to coffee but, well....you know)
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»Writers' Conferences Good For Shy People
katbird Says:LSK49ers,
Yes, we can relax more, and just be who we are, and even accomplish more, when we don't have to worry so much about living up to expectations or disappointing others.
Back when I was working in Environmental Health, I was always getting lectures from people who thought I should be earning more money. They said: "If you were my daughter and I had put you through college, I would be so disappointed if you were a clerk like me!" Well, at least, I put MYSELF through college. So, I didn't waste anyone's money but my own! I almost got a loan. I had even filled out the forms. But I told them I didn't want the loan. I was worried that the loan would be wasted on me, if I didn't get a high-paying job after college (or any job!). So, I worked as a nanny for wealthy people to put myself through college. So, no student loans to repay!
However, in those days, California's state colleges were much cheaper than other states. After I got my degree, I took a few courses from Arizona State College and had to pay through the nose for each unit.
The Shy web site said there are all kinds of shy people--just as there are all kinds of extroverts. Some people are shy extroverts!
Those writers' conferences and conventions are good for shy people, because many writers are shy people. So, it is somewhat easier to relax with them.
Alias, Katbird.
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»And that is a good thing,
ceejay2005 Says:And that is a good thing, because more people today are becoming shy for various reasons talked about on the site (computers taking the place of real people, and children no longer free to play without supervision)--as much as 50% of our population! I am no longer alone. Yes, we can relax more, and just be who we are, and even accomplish more, when we don't have to worry so much about living up to expectations or disappointing others.
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»and those shy people
LSK49rs Says:could unite but it would mean having to come out of our houses...so....
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»Poetry Out Loud is another good one for shyness...
...at high school level anyway. Google it and see what ya come up with! It is an amazing opportunity for the shy ones to open up and it ends up inspiring them to write and express themselves.
It got me outa my house and off to the State Capital to watch the youngsters compete. Amazing program with amazing results. Every high school in the state should get on board with this one. It is open to public and private, home schooler and all.
Are there writer's conferences for teens?
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»Back when I was working in
jdizon363 Says:Back when I was working in Environmental Health, I was always getting lectures from people who thought I should be earning more money. They said: "If you were my daughter and I had put you through college, I would be so disappointed if you were a clerk like me!" Well, at least, I put MYSELF through college. And that is a good thing, because more people today are becoming shy for various reasons talked about on the site (computers taking the place of real people, and children no longer free to play without supervision)--as much as 50% of our population! I am no longer alone. It got me outa my house and off to the State Capital to watch the youngsters compete. Amazing program with amazing results. Every high school in the state should get on board with this one.
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»Good.
kvnfrnk Says:I bet you gave it a fine reading. i hadn't thought of shy rights as a potential speech, but it would be perfect. i'll definitely pass along the idea to tor and esperanza.
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