Always the Youngest

Growing up with two older siblings, I have always been the person cracking jokes and attempting to make others laugh. My sister is the scholar, my brother the contrarian, and I the jester. I have always been fascinated by how people change in certain social situations. For instance, as a kid I would see how differently my teachers would act around my parents at conferences. They would essentially put on a completely different persona, not acting nearly as rigid or mean as they typically did (most of the time). This idea that people's personalities shift in different environments was actually applied into my own life very recently.

A few weeks ago I went to my friend's house. Upon my entrance I was greeted by an excited little eight-year-old girl, my friend's youngest sibling. The whole night she was singing and dancing in a very hyper manner. I think the peak level of hyper-ness was singing a song from the animated movie Frozen... Although I am not entirely sure that was the song! For the whole night I put on a totally different persona. I was playing the part of the cool older kid, sitting there laughing at the ridiculousness of the little siblings. I made the occasional joke, but found myself holding back in ways that I never usually did. As the little sibling was performing in her own little talent show, I watched as my friend laughed slightly uncomfortably. I think she was really enjoying her little sibling dancing, but I could tell it was a bit embarrassing for her. My friend, the oldest of two other siblings, reminded me a lot that night of my brother and sister.

I cannot speak much to the role of being the oldest sibling, but I get the sense that older siblings tend to assume the role of the boss, trying to control their little brothers or sisters. The eight-year-old kept going. Throughout the night, she would consistently say funny things about my friend, telling me a few stories my friend would not want me to hear. Ever.

Everything about that eight year old reminded me of myself. When it boils down to it, I almost always play the part of the eight-year-old little sibling at almost every family occasion. Whenever my brother or sister has a friend over, I somehow always manage to be the entertainer. Often times my form of entertainment may not please my older siblings. They may yell at me to leave or even give me the fierce stare that signals to "gtfo." I think that because the level of maturity is significantly less for younger siblings in most situations, older siblings forget that they too were once younger and immature.

That night really got me thinking. What the hell would my family think if they saw me there that night? The baby of the family acting all old and mature. The way that people can change depending on who they are with really humors me.

Think of the people in your class, workplace, or even family. Notice how they change when talking to you versus someone else.

The lesson here is that no matter what circumstance I am in, I will always be the youngest sibling.