What makes people 'clicky'? Is it insecurity? Ive had chances of being in 'cliks' at work but i dont take them

Question

.. I think its odd. I prefer to just talk to who i want to, and treat people everyone the same

lol rachel d, thats it get your own spelling right first.

Answer 1

It's animal herding.. they feel safer or maybe more powerful in a group.. maybe you're right and it's insecurity.. whatever it is I'm with you and your better off being a free agent and going/seeing/speaking to who you want..

BTW - it's Clique

OH NO -.. have you noticed how we have all joined a clique by picking on your spelling?? well you can't join us

Answer 2

I do think it's part insecurity and partly the need to belong. Some people seem to be able to function better and have more self esteem when they are a part of a group. I personally am like you, I prefer to avoid the cliques and just talk to everybody. The people in the cliques are so much alike that I find the need to move on after a bit.

Answer 3

You've got it in one. It's insecurity. Cliques start in school, where we want to belong to a group. But cliques don't work unless there are people who aren't part of the special circle, to be belittled, mocked and/or ignored.
Do as you like, and if the cliques ignore your existence, count yourself lucky. Fish swim in schools, but real human beings can walk alone if necessary. Talk to whomever you like, befriend whomever...you'll probably find the "outsiders" much more interesting and better company than the "in crowd".

Answer 4

I agree...cliques are oddities. As to why they exist I have no clue. Perhaps it is insecurity. I find them (the clique participants) to be generally rude and snobbish and avoid joining them. Like the old saying "birds of a feather flock together", these people usually share a common interest. Unfortunately it's almost always gossip and rumor mongering. They demonstrate jealousy and perpetuate exclusion to and of anyone they don't think "fits" their self-imposed hierarchy. I'm like you, I'd rather be friends with everyone that seclude myself to a limited group of snobs.

Answer 5

You might get better answers putting this in Sociology, BTW, assuming sociologists hang out there. It IS a sociological phenomenon.

I'm not a sociologist (nor do I play one on TV), but will do my best.

We are social creatures and seek out others.

This gives us a feeling of belonging and self-worth -- those in our group "validate" us.

But notice there are two sides to clique-i-ness. Among the classic basic ideas in sociology are Group Think, and In-Group/Out Group.

By forming cliques, people get to use the handy ways of dividing everyone into Us and Them (Us being the good guys; Them being lesser folk).

So you get dual benefits of belonging and validation, AND superiority to all those pathetic others who aren't with US.

Yes, it's all very petty and high school, and you are wise to avoid the whole thing and seek out those who, at least when they are on their own, deal with people as individuals.

Joining one of the cliques only makes enemies of everyone in all of the others.

Answer 6

Hi!

I'm sick of people on here like 'rachel d' - so rude!

Anyway, I'm with you all the way here! Yes, people who have the need to be in a 'gang' are sad.

I've isolated myself on many ocassions, but I don't give a fiddle!

I'm my own person and I don't need sycophantic losers to give me my self esteem.

Carry on being an individual - your choices will always be true to you.

Best of luck!!

Answer 7

These are the people who only feel confident when in groups and can't do anything on their own. Avoid them.

And it's 'cliques' and 'clique-y' ;-)

Answer 8

if several people avoided a clique and they knew that you avoided a clique then would that in itself become a clique.... very moody and brooding one but a clique all the same?

Answer 9

Yes it's a power thing especially in the workplace. I agree I talk to whom I want to talk to.

Answer 10

It's clique, and cliquey (presumably).

Safety in numbers. It makes it safer to pick on others.