Friday, 29 August 2025

Let’s Talk About Ethics, Toxic Friends & Colleagues.

We often speak about “survival of the fittest,” but in today’s world, it feels more like “survival of the fakest.” 

Somewhere along the way, stealing personalities, twisting narratives, and repackaging someone else’s hobbies as our own became a trend—dressed up as “connectivity.”


Let’s Talk About Ethics, Toxic Friends & Colleagues













Take this common scenario: You share that you love reading, painting, or even your newfound obsession with hiking. Suddenly, your “friend” or colleague miraculously develops the same passion. They project it to others as if it’s their long-standing trait. The irony? They’ve never opened a book cover-to-cover, held a paintbrush longer than 5 minutes, or stepped outside except for an airport check-in photo. But hey, it looks good on a bio or at a dinner table.

This isn’t admiration. It’s manipulation. A quiet theft, done not out of inspiration, but out of convenience—to look good, to belong, to gain social currency. And worse, it often comes wrapped in a smile and the excuse of “Oh, I just resonated with you.”


Millennials (Yes, I still hold hope!) Gen Z and Gen Alpha—you are growing up in a digital society where personal data isn’t just your bank details or passwords. Your identity—your quirks, hobbies, beliefs, even your captions—has become currency. Protect it. Not every “like” or “same pinch” is genuine. Sometimes, it’s just someone taking notes to wear your skin in another room. Creepy, but true.


Let’s Talk About Ethics, Toxic Friends & Colleagues













Here’s the thing:

  • Taking inspiration is healthy. We’ve all been inspired by someone’s journey, skill, or style. But inspiration comes with acknowledgement and gratitude.

  • Stealing without appreciation is lazy. It’s like eating from someone else’s lunchbox and never admitting it, while praising your own cooking.

  • Manipulation in the name of survival is unethical. If your survival depends on being someone else, maybe survival isn’t the real goal—you just want applause without the effort.

Toxic friends and colleagues thrive in this gray zone. They’ll keep you close, not out of genuine connection, but to feed off your originality. They use your hobbies, mannerisms, and even struggles as props in their own performance. For a while, it may look harmless—even flattering—but over time, it chips away at trust.


Let’s Talk About Ethics, Toxic Friends & Colleagues













And here’s the bigger warning: When children grow up without learning personal etiquette, these habits hardwire early. We teach them religion, math, and grammar, but do we teach them ethics of individuality?

  • That it’s okay to admire but not okay to impersonate.

  • That “borrowing” should come with credit.

  • That authenticity beats temporary popularity.

  • That stealing a personality is not just bad manners, it’s a form of quiet betrayal.



Let’s Talk About Ethics, Toxic Friends & Colleagues












Parents, teachers, mentors—this should sit right next to lessons on honesty, kindness, and responsibility. Because tomorrow’s professionals are today’s children, watching how we navigate friendships and workplaces.




So, the next time someone says, “I love that too!” ask yourself: is it a bridge of genuine connection, or is it another photocopy attempt for their personal portfolio?

My two cents? Appreciate openly. Credit generously. Create authentically. That’s survival—with dignity.

Just a gentle note — this post is a reflection on patterns I’ve observed in friendships, workplaces, and society at large. If it feels relatable, maybe that’s the point. Take it as food for thought, not finger-pointing.



Please share your views and opinions about the topic.
All images are subject to copyright © Alfard.
Would also like to know if anything offended you in this blog post.
You can reach me on amreenbanokhan@gmail.com.


And if you think ethics is a tough topic, wait till you hear why sometimes people in general keep saying “NO”!  Read here: GenZ says "NO" a Lot!? - Ahem, ahem!

Monday, 18 August 2025

GenZ says "NO" a Lot!? - Ahem, ahem!

The Jonathan Livingston in me went on conversating with Gen Z, and here is what they told him! At first, their words felt jarring — short, sharp, unapologetic “No’s.” No, I won’t come in early. No, I’m not ignoring my burnout. No, I’m not overcommitting just to look productive. 

For us millennials, who grew up in a time where overwork was glorified and saying “yes” was the golden rule of belonging, these rejections felt almost alien. Yet, as I leaned in, I realized they weren’t pushing back against people — they were pushing back against systems that drained them.

And suddenly, nostalgia washed over me. I thought of the hushed voices among us millennials, the quiet sacrifices we made in the name of tradition, duty, or career ladders that promised the sky but often left us breathless midway. We were often taught to see exhaustion as success, silence as respect, and hustle as our worth. 

Gen Z, on the other hand, are rewriting a contrastingly fresh script. Their “No” is not weakness — it’s healing. Their boundaries are not walls — they are bridges to a healthier way of being.


GenZ says NO a Lot

GenZ says NO a Lot

GenZ says NO a Lot

GenZ says NO a Lot

GenZ says NO a Lot

GenZ says NO a Lot

GenZ says NO a Lot

GenZ says NO a Lot

GenZ says NO a Lot
 
All images are subject to copyright © Alfard.

Honestly, listening to them felt like being handed a mirror — one that asked us not why they are saying no, but why we never dared to. I have been in their place too — done what they did — and I feel them.


Just a gentle note — this article isn’t meant to be a tool for justifying a self-imagined system. Take time to truly understand, learn with openness, and stand your ground only when it’s genuinely called for.

Disclaimer:
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a fictional character from the book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” written by Richard Bach and first published in 1970. The story follows Jonathan, a seagull who is not content with ordinary life and seeks higher meaning through flight, freedom, and self-discovery. The book is widely regarded as an inspirational fable about individuality, purpose, and pushing beyond limitations.

For more details, you can visit the official Google Books page here: Jonathan Livingston Seagull – Richard Bach (Google Books)


Please share your views and opinions about the topic.
All images are subject to copyright © Alfard.
Would also like to know if anything offended you in this blog post.
You can reach me on amreenbanokhan@gmail.com.

Friday, 8 February 2019

My NO is not your YES! Learn the difference…….

More often then not, I find words providing me with the contentment to pour in my emotions correctly (here Anger).

Yes, she treats her body like a temple. No! she doesn't wants you to certify it as one.  Yes, she is ambitious and hard working. No! She isn't the one to compromise her way up.  Yes, she wants to celebrate her small victories. No! You tag along only when you are invited to join her celebration.  Yes, she finds it difficult to open up about her feelings. No! You don't have to force it out to prove your opinion.  Yes, she's nice to everyone and talks sweetly. No! She's not acting to impress you.  Yes, she is innocent and vulnerable. No! It's not an act to gain your sympathy.  Yes, she listens to romantic songs. No! It's not an invitation for you to drag her along.  Yes, she openly acknowledges being lonely. No! She isn't hinting you to come and get her.  Yes, her eyes shine when she talks about things she loves. No! Those are not meant for you to exploit your way in.  Yes, she wears that plunging and hugging top. No! She just loves her body and is not trying to impress you.  Yes, she can be weird and alright. No! Your mindset is certainly beyond right.  Yes, she said a No. No! It definitely doesn't means a maybe for you.




































Lets spread love with consent and righteousness.
Hope this reaches people well.

Please share your views and opinions about the topic.
Would also like to know if any grammatical error is made in this blog post.
You can reach me on amreenbanokhan@gmail.com.


Friday, 31 July 2015

See More...

Why is it Disability? Why can't it just be Different Ability?
Like this man Robert M. Hensel says - “I choose not to place "DIS", in my ability.”
All we have to do is see for more than just what meets the eye.

What If?
See More - A Poem on Disability.


Tuesday, 16 September 2014

You are such a LIAR!


You are such a LIAR!

I have lied on people's face. Honestly, I was just insulting their dignity.

Sometimes I would sheepishly say "It was just a WHITE LIE!"
What is a WHITE LIE?

White Lie - Meaning
Photo Courtesy: Google Search

A quote by Lucy Hale on White Lie.
Photo Courtesy: http://quotes.lifehack.org/quote/lucy-hale/but-little-white-lies-here-and-there/

We think a little white lie is of no harm to tell. But, your brain just becomes a dustbin full of those wasteful lies. 

 
 Why would I want to remember that, I was down with dengue on 14th of February 20** while my friend was getting married and she really expected me to attend it? Whereas, I was actually sitting on my couch watching a movie, too lazy to attend the wedding!




People have their goody good reasons jotted down as a safe justification for their little lies. 

I think, people lie sometimes to avoid confrontations, to save face, to get one's way, for personal gains, even to come out as a nice person and sometimes just to make oneself feel good about their self-deceptions!
I have tried them all as per the situation's demand but, have my own regrets because of the outcomes they had. I had to face their consequences in some way or the other. Even my master brain could keep a record of only a few. Naturally, people even start pointing out that "You know sweety, you are a terrible liar!".
  
Sometimes, I personally let people lie their ass out when i know the truth. 
Its funny when they don't know that you know what they think you don't know!
Phoebe in friends - Funny Moment gif.
Photo Courtesy: http://www.smartsnobs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/8b09b9cca4f9f64c3bcfe35f83beedc7.gif

But, what I really want to say is, 
Why Lie?
Why undermine people's trust?
Why treat relationships as a one-off transaction?
Why torture your brain emotionally?
Why compromise on your ethics?

Give yourself a chance to improve. Go ahead and give people a chance too!  

I also know its difficult for a person to practice the path of truth, but why not start with baby steps? :)
Please share your views and opinions about the topic.
Would also like to know if any grammatical error is made in this blog post.
You can reach me on amreenbanokhan@gmail.com.