Today we had a fella in to give us a quote for roof blinds in our conservatory. When I mentioned we'll be needing a quote for blinds in the art studio after it's built this summer, he remarked upon one of my paintings displayed in the lounge and says something to the effect: I wish I could draw, I'm dreadful at that sort of thing, I mean, I can draw a stick man, but that's about it.
Now, I've not been recording conversations with strangers or anything, but whenever my occupation as an artist comes up in conversation, that person nearly always says, I wish I could draw, but I'm terrible at it (or something like that).
It's quite cute, in a way, and certainly amusing (though I never laugh in the person's presence)... it's nearly always the same thing that happens when I tell people I work in I.T., they might say something like, I am terrible at computers, I can barely send an email.
What I really want to know, though, is, what is up with that? Why do people very frequently feel the need to state an "excuse" why they aren't an artist too? Or a computer expert?
Would love to hear some thoughts on this one...
I think it's one of two reasons. 1) it's a defence response because they want to be a painter or good at something and regret or feel guilty for not making it a priority in their lives so they are sharing their interest and exposing their lack of commitment in their statement. Or 2) they are trying to be empathetic by mentioning your skill / talent and stressing their lack of skill as a way of showing respect and appriciation for your posession of this talent even though the person making this comment actually has no real interest in acquiring the fore-mentioned skill.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that someone with either or both of those feelings (either envy or appreciation) would say anything to begin with... it's illogical :)
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