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Thomas's avatar

Your thoughts really made me think… I guess we also use our social masks as a tool to belong to „the group“, whatever the group is in the moment. Most of the time we just want to fit in, rather than to stand out and risk being the outlaw. At least that’s what I think for myself I guess. But very interesting thought, thank you for sharing this Andrea!

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Gabba's avatar

Fascinating read thank you. Take a look at Erving Goffman - sociologist - who has done a lot of research on front and back stages in everyday interactions. Lots of synergies.

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Christina O'Connell's avatar

The Favorite was so good ... thank you for the reminder as well as the reminder to not shoot!

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Fati's avatar

My social mask today was when I pretended to be friendly with my coworker who couldn't stop complaining to me about the weather (maybe for 1h) as if I could do anything about it. It was 9am 😭

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Aaron Fugate's avatar

I didn't need more reason to loathe Kyrgios but here we are, I guess

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Lorena Popa's avatar

Was waiting for a platform where we can read your masterpieces more often 🫶🏻

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Fati's avatar

I'm living for our weekly Petko content

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Sung J. Woo's avatar

To paraphrase Herman Melville:

Ah Ons! Ah humanity!

She is our household's favorite player. We have suffered mightily at her, with her. Still holding out hope that she can make a special run...

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Glenn's avatar

witty & insightful Andrea, you're a great read.

and on that last note (Kyrios /Tate), I hate to say it but sadly that informs us more about Nick than Tate. I Don't know why Tennis Chanel employs this guy.

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Peter Defty's avatar

My God woman!, you are fearless in your fears . . . you are putting it all out there warts and scars and infections and all (including Pineapples) . . . . what is profoundly ironic about our modern man-made construct is the chronic stress....... we trade the obvious and 'seen' stress , like watching pro tennis players play, so the pressure to perform is on the players yet, that brittle veneer is being shattered from inside, the person eating the apple, the baby & his/her mother trying to calm it, those entertained by watching you play while their partners wonder why they are there....they are all masking/subliminating their modern chronic stressors, money, careers, relationships, where they live, what they drive, the environment.....even some their f'ing gender and sexual identities .....as I have often said "the modern world affords the luxury of angst" . . . . we seek security as a means of survival but without regular visits to the reality of the natural order of nature and the recognition that the dark side of Humanity lurks just below the surface patina of modern comfort and convenience (I would offer a darker side leveraged by our modern construct) Humans lose their way . Perhaps the court is a safer haven because one cannot hide at the coal face of reality.....who is this Muse who resides in the body of a Bosnian/Serbian/German Tennis Pro ? ? ?

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Butch's avatar

Excellent piece. It triggered several things for me. For years competitive tennis was my therapy. It brought out in me a rage and perfectionism that really doesn't exist off the court (in that degree). I have always wondered which version was actually me.

For Ons her emotion is likely just another therapeutic release. It's hard to watch others go through that very personal moment. Especially when we've been there.

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Sean Chandler's avatar

Ah The Social Mask, or as I Like to refer to it as "The Chameleon"

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Ageing Brit's avatar

Eternal optimist here - don't do anger or social masks just laugh at their follies - it drives them crazier. Special forces training and chess playing probably good for tennis then. Encase heart in concrete and build single focus mind. I like to see players acknowledge good play on court, but what annoys me is the intentional on court antics - bouncing around, foot twitching and such trying to offput the opponent.

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Alberto's avatar

Beautifully expressed. I always wear a social mask because I deal with people all the time

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