Sociality [n] - the tendency to associate with others and to form social groups

Hardly would a human tendency be as underplayed as this one is. A Libran by birth (and they are born introverts, all right) and a progressively discreet extrovert by nature, I've learnt it, mostly, the hard way.

An introvert, when inducted into new surroundings, is extremely wary and spends a huge chunk of time initially just testing waters. He is wary of saying things which may hurt oldies, yet, he is desparate to throw in his bit of witticisms, hoping to impress them. A classic case in point is when you are a child and your folks shift base to a new locality, you visit the nearby playground to exhaust your juvenile enthusiasm. You envy the other children playing. Your first reaction? You stand besides the "leader", as it may be, and try and sweet talk your way into his heart and eventually into the group.

I've never understood the want as far as gaining acceptance into pre-formed groups is concerned. Having said that, I'd be the first person you'd see doing the exact thing mentioned. And, the answer's just bloody sociality! Ironically, an extant group (and I've been in some) generates in itself the greatest resistance to the new entrant. As a part of the group, you'd feel immense satisfaction in gratuitously pointing out small follies in him and thus demeaning his candidature as far as inclusion into the group may be concerned.

Methinks, the only pre-requisite, if you will, should be the way he thinks and gels with you. It'd be extremely unfair on him if you were to judge him on his:

• nationality (aka racism; not trying to get on to the Shilpa Shetty gravy train here)
• the great indian northie-southie divide (you'd be extremely conversant with this if you were a North Indian working in Bangalore)
• looks (it's hard to ignore the high percentage of the reject-cases that fall into this sect. Studies have proven that better-lookers have a headstart at whatever they venture out to do. Having said that, the ugly are burdened with a low self-esteem, which may explain the above statement)
• pelf-power (an antidote to the ugly problem. Its another story that the rich are never ugly!)

Now, I'd be honest enough to admit that I've exploited others using the above. At the same time, I've been victimised too. Isn't it funny we cry out for justice only when we're the persecuted? As the tyrannous, the world's just a fine playground. Go ahead. It's our to plunder!