A jellyfish is spineless. It’s only part of the definition, but it’s something that comes to mind when you think of the creature.
When someone is a wimp and lies down like a sheep, you think what a pushover that person is. Jellyfish.
There are a lot of jellyfish in the sea. They come in many denominations, work in all capacities throughout the world, and populate every country. They act like milquetoast. They roll along with anything, backing down when things get tough.
They have no opinions, or if they do, you never hear them. They hide.
Business jellyfish abound. You see them in grey cubicles, heads down, nodding vigorously whenever someone speaks in a meeting, “I agree with that,” whatever “that” might be. They don’t offer up a new idea.
They are the “yes” men and women who go along for the ride, hoping the wave will continue to flow in a direction that is beneficial to them. What they don’t get is that a wave can change at any time. One day you’re riding it, and the next it rides you. So quit being a mouse.
Political jellyfish are another matter. This could be an elected officials or one of his staff members. Regardless, this doormat is recognizable by the boring patterns of clothing worn, the complete lack of creativity in ties, suits, shoes and blouses, to ensure no one gets the wrong idea and thinks s/he actually has something to say that might solve a problem by taking a stand and driving towards accomplishing something.
That would mean s/he isn’t a jellyfish. To continue their namby-pamby ways, the political jellyfish learns how to hide opinions, never staking out the early territory to frame the debate.
Instead, it is easier, and much more jellyfish-like to hide in the background. Float around, conform to others’ opinions, don’t show a backbone.
It’s amusing when you research the word jellyfish. Most of the definition is about the ocean-dwelling creature, with lots of info about its DNA, habitat and development. When you dig deeper, you get background on how the term is used to apply to those who are cowards and saps.
Beyond the corporate and political jellyfish, there are the teachers and coaches who fill the role as well. They cover all the expected bases, do the job as outlined by the syllabus, but not a step further.
They don’t stray outside safe parameters. They know that criticism lurks if they leave their jellyfish-like classrooms and gyms.
So they do what is safe and expected, but not a bit more. That’s the way to protect yourself, pretend that your enclosed environment can stay the same and you can control it.
Ultimately the jellyfish will wash away as the tides move in and out, whether that’s in business, politics or school. Things do not stay the same. That is just the nature of life.
Next time you go to a party, take notes. Listen intently to replies to your questions and how the people you speak with act. Notice the jellyfish.
They will try to escape your grasp, like a nebbish reed, hemming and hawing, pausing to wait until you insert your foot in your mouth so they won’t look bad. Write down their opinions on your smart phone, acting like you are texting someone.
When you go back later, the screen will be empty and you will realize the doormat wimp had nothing to say all night, instead just hanging on for the ride. You never know – someday the jellyfish might get a spine. But don’t hold your breath.
When someone is a wimp and lies down like a sheep, you think what a pushover that person is. Jellyfish.
There are a lot of jellyfish in the sea. They come in many denominations, work in all capacities throughout the world, and populate every country. They act like milquetoast. They roll along with anything, backing down when things get tough.
They have no opinions, or if they do, you never hear them. They hide.
Business jellyfish abound. You see them in grey cubicles, heads down, nodding vigorously whenever someone speaks in a meeting, “I agree with that,” whatever “that” might be. They don’t offer up a new idea.
They are the “yes” men and women who go along for the ride, hoping the wave will continue to flow in a direction that is beneficial to them. What they don’t get is that a wave can change at any time. One day you’re riding it, and the next it rides you. So quit being a mouse.
Political jellyfish are another matter. This could be an elected officials or one of his staff members. Regardless, this doormat is recognizable by the boring patterns of clothing worn, the complete lack of creativity in ties, suits, shoes and blouses, to ensure no one gets the wrong idea and thinks s/he actually has something to say that might solve a problem by taking a stand and driving towards accomplishing something.
That would mean s/he isn’t a jellyfish. To continue their namby-pamby ways, the political jellyfish learns how to hide opinions, never staking out the early territory to frame the debate.
Instead, it is easier, and much more jellyfish-like to hide in the background. Float around, conform to others’ opinions, don’t show a backbone.
It’s amusing when you research the word jellyfish. Most of the definition is about the ocean-dwelling creature, with lots of info about its DNA, habitat and development. When you dig deeper, you get background on how the term is used to apply to those who are cowards and saps.
Beyond the corporate and political jellyfish, there are the teachers and coaches who fill the role as well. They cover all the expected bases, do the job as outlined by the syllabus, but not a step further.
They don’t stray outside safe parameters. They know that criticism lurks if they leave their jellyfish-like classrooms and gyms.
So they do what is safe and expected, but not a bit more. That’s the way to protect yourself, pretend that your enclosed environment can stay the same and you can control it.
Ultimately the jellyfish will wash away as the tides move in and out, whether that’s in business, politics or school. Things do not stay the same. That is just the nature of life.
Next time you go to a party, take notes. Listen intently to replies to your questions and how the people you speak with act. Notice the jellyfish.
They will try to escape your grasp, like a nebbish reed, hemming and hawing, pausing to wait until you insert your foot in your mouth so they won’t look bad. Write down their opinions on your smart phone, acting like you are texting someone.
When you go back later, the screen will be empty and you will realize the doormat wimp had nothing to say all night, instead just hanging on for the ride. You never know – someday the jellyfish might get a spine. But don’t hold your breath.