What Smurf Would You Be?

You may some day find yourself invited to join a Smurf village. I’m not saying it’s likely, but you never know. If so, and if you want to fit in, you are going to need to adopt a Smurf name.

For those of you unfamiliar with them, Smurfs are these annoying little blue creatures who live in mushrooms and have all sorts of adventures. They also have one of the most mind-numbingly addictive “can’t get it out of your head” theme songs ever (I’ll spare you the link, lest you get it trapped in your head).

As individuals, Smurfs are rather one-dimensional. You see, almost every Smurf’s name is of the form: “[Fill in an adjective] Smurf.” The adjective describes the Smurf and everything the Smurf does fits that adjective.

For example, Jokey Smurf plays jokes on everyone (his main joke is handing them an exploding present which begs two questions: 1) why do other Smurfs keep opening his presents and 2) if he is constantly blowing people up wouldn’t “Jerk Smurf” or “Felony Smurf” be a better name?), Hefty Smurf is strong and is always doing the heavy lifting, Handy Smurf fixes things, and Grouchy Smurf is a foul tempered misanthrope.

(Of course one the exceptions to the “[Fill in an adjective] Smurf” naming convention was the Smurfs first, and for a while, only, female member. Her name? Smurfette. yes, the Smurfs had one female and she didn’t even get an adjective; she was reduced to just being a female. Talk about objectification. The women’s right activists must have had a field day…)

So the question is “if you were to find yourself in a Smurf village, what would your Smurf Name be?” Or more relevantly: what would others say your Smurf name is?

Would you be Funny Smurf? Happy Smurf? Generous Smurf? Or something less desirable, like, Jerk Smurf, Negative Smurf, or just straight-up Dumbass Smurf?

You may not want to be reduced to a single adjective, but hey, guess what? That’s what other people do to you all the time. First impressions are powerful things, and your default “adjective,” whatever it may be, will come across. You may make yourself feel better by saying, “well, if they got to know me they would know that I am a cool person,” but why not just let that through from the get-go?

Take a second and think about the vibe you are sending out to the world. And if you don’t like it, start acting like something a little more “Smurfy!”

P.S. For those of you who don’t like Smurfs and would like to…I don’t know…maybe see a nuclear bomb dropped on their village, look no further:

About

By Avish Parashar. As the world's only Motivational Improviser, Avish uses techniques from the world of improv comedy to engage, entertain, and educate audiences on ideas around change, creativity, and motivation. Connect with Avish on Google+

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