Identifying the ‘acceptable’ diva behaviour
WHEN it comes to having accomplished something major, it is standard behaviour to feel pride over it.
You’ve worked hard to get to where you are at, like how actresses who have built their career from nothing and have escalated to peaked levels of stardom with their sheer determination and vision.
And if that doesn’t account for a little ‘diva’ behaviour, I don’t know what will.However when that kind of behaviour transcends into something chaotic, it advances into a situation where you are now having to deal with a toxic, probably a very toxic person.
These days we are witnessing a major blow-out where a Pakistani actress is being held accountable for a string of erratic and condescending behaviour.
Many victims, be it models or makeup artists, are speaking out over the torment they had to endure.
The voices and incidents are strong and all point towards something extremely worrisome. How did a person even get away with that kind of conduct?
And why is it that people remain silent for so long and only consider it worthy to share their disturbing incidents only when others are willing to come out in the open as well?
Divas in general sense are considered as being extremely high-performing as well as high-maintenance.
They have this certain notion that they deserve and are entitled to privileges’ and everyone needs to come onboard with that.
But then is it a behavioural trait which is uncommon?Not really.In fact you can sense the diva vibes in not just the glamour sector. You can see it everywhere today.
Be it at your workplace, social groups as well as public spaces, it is becoming all the more ‘convenient’ to see someone depict their inner diva.
Yet again, having to showcase your qualities with a hint of pride builds self-confidence. It allows you to demand certain attention you are entitled to.
But then there’s a fine line between acceptable diva behaviour and something which is downright demeaning and will impact the society negatively.
If you look back at how this concept even originated, it was actually the portrayal of certain characters during an opera performance in the early nineties who will entice audiences by presenting themselves as being high-maintenance and completely and incessantly obsessed with themselves.
With the passage of time, the degree of narcissism increased in such portrayals. And unknowingly what was supposed to be theatrical gimmicks went off-stage and into people’s daily routines.
Now as we witness certain celebrities displaying abusive behaviour with victims aplenty, it all comes down to understanding how this personality trait makes you lose empathy?
Time and again, we have seen how workplace cultures lead to hardworking and passionate employees leaving jobs due to their mental well-being.
Others are not able to. They remain cooped in such distressing settings, not being able to speak to anyone and getting tormented within, leading to episodes of depression.
It is high time we speak out on the ‘diva culture’ and how it can lead to dangerous consequences if not controlled and called out for.
Be it one victim or many, the notion that someone is entitled to inflict ‘pain’ on others is what leads to the downfall of communities.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
