Learning Santa isn’t real
Image by George Eastman House via Flickr
I never would have known Santa wasn’t real if no one had told me. I didn’t find out by staying up all night or seeing the toys in the trunk of my mother’s car. It is completely possible that I could have grown up believing he was real if the kids at school hadn’t told me.
Would it have really been a problem?
As we grow up, we learn. We adapt characteristics into our personalities from our environment, our friends and family members. There are some behaviors we learn that to us are completely normal based on our environment.
Until someone tells us they are not.
I couldn’t go back to believing Santa was real after I was told he was not. Even if I had, there would have always been that nagging thought in the back of my head.
Once a behavior is pointed out to, you can’t go back to acting the exact same way as before you knew. It’s the same as how actions change when people know they are being watched.
If an action isn’t hurting anyone, no matter how awkward or strange, should we point it out? Is it really a problem?
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My mom thinks about 5 or 6 years old I figured out most of the Santa thing. I kept it up for a few years b/c of a younger brother.
I completely agree that we have/learn behaviors that are completely normal to us but appear strange, wrong, and/or sometimes better to other people.
Should we point out the “strange” behavior of someone else?
That is a selfish answer because it depends upon what We want for them; what We want them to do/see/change. What we see as the “Truth” or the “Correct” way/behavior may not be for them. Or it may be and they have yet to see that perspective. To influence the answer to the question I think you should also ask: “What conflict will arise if you point out said behavior?” (Conflict not necessarily a bad thing here, merely a difference) and “What are the potential results?” Lastly, are you willing to stick around and handle damage control/fallout? You’ve pointed out their behavior and they realize your truth. Does this affect their being deep enough to upset them?
I think older crowds are usually more set in their ways and would prefer sticking to their guns rather than learn a new behavior and the rules that go along with it.