Silly — It's in the Eye of the Beholder

The following post was my response to the OK Cupid question: If you saw an acquaintance acting incredibly silly when they thought nobody was watching, would you be more attracted or less attracted to them?

MORE attracted
Less attracted
My opinion of them would not change

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Sark helped me get to a place of appreciating public silliness with one of her early books, Succulent Wild Women.

I used to think people who laughed "too loudly" in restaurants or wore big hats and colorful clothes were either weird or pathetic attention-seekers. Now I see that they are simply embracing life and living out loud.

I totally understand why other people still think the way I used to, but would defintitely prefer to associate with folks who, at the very least, would not lose respect for someone who acted silly in public. Silliness is a great, wonderful thing.

We live in a bizarre culture that has decided that to be adults, we must stomp out all childlike behavior and act, at all times, perfectly composed. I am not suggesting that we should create a free-for-all and give in to constant childish or immature behavior. Nevertheless, if more people would let their hair down, demonstrate the wonder of a child, and embrace silliness more often, we would all be happier, healthier, and wealthier!