<p>There are some ppl at school who just attract a lot of awe. When they say something, everyone, including the teachers, pays attention to them. I think a better way to say this is that people are flattered by their presence.</p>
<p>And is there a way to not look at them like gods, but more like peers?</p>
<p>Its called charisma, and yes there are some people who have a lot of it.</p>
<p>^ Yeah, there’s a girl in my class who’s like that. Usually I try to think of stuff from different perspectives and give a different point of view so that I won’t think of the person as such a god-like figure.</p>
<p>Wiki has a description of people with charisma:
The word charisma (Greek “kharisma,” meaning “gift,” “of/from/favored by God/the divine”) refers to a trait found in persons whose personalities are characterized by a personal charm and magnetism (attractiveness), along with innate and powerfully sophisticated abilities of interpersonal communication and persuasion. One who is charismatic is said to be capable of using their personal being, rather than just speech or logic alone, to interface with other human beings in a personal and direct manner, and effectively communicate an argument or concept to them.</p>
<p>It is easy to see why you would want to be with such people and being a demigod is sort of in their nature, it is difficult to avoid looking at them in a different way. I’ve known some very charismatic people. They tend to have a very outgoing personality that, together with their ability to make others feel good about themselves and some other features, like their appearance, skills, etc., just have a special magnetism. I’ve also known people who try to disparage them, but it is difficult even for them to deny their position. One girl I know always tries to find flaws in someone who went to Brown last year, who was probably the most charismatic people I know, but she still helped him edit his essay when he asked her to.</p>
<p>Is it better to appear charismatic or more down to earth?
(I prefer down to earth)</p>
<p>By its own definition, charismatic is. Being down to earth can be one element of charisma; charismatic people usually don’t come off as the arrogant type.</p>
<p>Yeah, all the time… There always seems to be someone who appears to be constantly one step ahead of the game.</p>
<p>Keith Olbermann is like that, but a lot of the other people are constantly serious and use only dry humor.</p>
<p>A lot of them turn out to be fakes, though.</p>
<p>I’m slightly paranoid about charismatic people. I’ve known two such people that inspire the same kind of awe and presence when they enter a room, people known to be incredibly witty, charming, and likable. But my own personal access to him (one is my brother and the other is my ex-best friend) has shown me sides of them that are frankly, well, appalling. People wouldn’t think so highly of them if they could see what they’re like in casual moments. </p>
<p>And though I’m an Obama fan now, when he was first campaigning, and people said “oh, he’s so charismatic!” I’d reply, “so what?” Charisma’s often a facade - who the person is underneath is much more ambivalent. From my own personal experience, charismatic people never APPEAR arrogant, but can often be incredibly insecure, egotistic, easily jealous, and bipolar - like actors, for instance. Cary Grant is a byword for charm, and his wife divorced him on counts of physical abuse. </p>
<p>Of course, not to generalize all charismatic people. The key is just telling the difference between the types, and it’s much harder to tell than you think. Some A-types are genuinely kind, modest people. It’s always good to be wary of them, however.</p>