Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-04-29
Are You Popular in Your Group?
By Kite Turmoil

Are you popular enough to fit in,
and enjoy your school social life?
After graduation are you apt to
be remembered as one who was
well-liked?
In order to be on the inside"
you do not have to be a great
athlete, or q girl genius. Often,
class valedictorianS pay the high
est tribute to the one who has
the most pleasing personality.
When Lou, new to senior high
this term, asked the senior class
president (who happened to be-
| the boy next door, about how toI
Ibe popular. he grinned. Just turn
on the personality, Lou, and polish
the knack of getting along with
other people"
Nobody has discovered a socially
scientific formula which is sure to-
make you more popular, but there
are tested rules for getting along
with the group.
For example. according to New
York City educators, your abil-
Iity to answer yes to the majority
LOT the following questions gives you
an above-average chance to mix
well. e,s. h
FIRST, DO YOU REALLY TRY
TO BE: Thoughtful? Tactful?
Sincere? Tolerant Of different
race, nationality and cultural pat
terms? Able to understand others
and accept them as they are?
SECOND, DO YOU USUALLY
SHOW: Social ease? Social skills,
such as dancing? Desire to seek
out others, by making the first
move for friendship? Generous
praise without being critical or
gushy? Interest in the problems
of others? Ability to listen, with
a response that proves intelligent
interest?
Every answer of YES to the
above, is q stepping stone to pop
ularity. SIS
Now try another quick quiz,
based on the social research Of
DR.. James Bender, human rela-
tons specialist:
CAN YOU USUALLY: Keep a.
confidence? Feel and show a high
degree of sympathy? Love an
other more tenderly than yourself.
now really? Understand and at
temptto control your mood cycles?
Admit mistakes readily; apologize.
then try to do something to make
lamends?
Every YES, to the above ques-
tons. adds TO- your ability to adj
just to the group and to show
maturity. That is doubly impor-
tant because surveys show that
the twin ambition Of most teen
ayers is to be popular in your
group and to give others your age
the impression that you are grow
ing up
Finally. here are some more tips
on popularity. which might apply
to your best friend or you. as ex-
pressed by popular students In
teen etiquette forums for school
leaders:
do not take a superior attitude,
as II you were tops. or an inferior
attitude as If you were afraid you
lare not as good as the others. Try
to get out of the habit of feeling
superior or inferior, it is a habit.
Skip the comparisons. try to keep
others from feeling inferior.
Don't be q Romeo. holding
hands and acting mushy in dark
corridors and Railways. Word
Igets around and soon it's nd secret
that you are making a fool of
yourself and the boy or girl who
takes you too seriously. That
Istuff's out of place around school.
Don't heckle the teacher until
she makes life miserable for
others. too, but don't be an apple
polisher, hanging around as If she
were the boss who paid you salary.
Don't brag about your boy
friend or make the other girl feel
inferior because her fellow is just
ordinary, not a football hero nor
handsome. You want your date
to be considered as good or better