Why do we imitate each other?

I have always found it interesting that my peers (in this case other men) usually create completely different personalities for themselves as soon as they become interested in a woman. In some cases, some of my friends actually adopted a personality trait of the girl they liked. This always annoyed me to the point that I sometimes avoided such friends. I mean, how could a regular chum of mine sell himself out like that all because of a girl? Where did my drinking buddy go?

So yes, it always annoyed me…

That was until I caught myself doing exactly the same thing!

A few days ago, I met a girl that knocked me off my feet. All of a sudden, I found it difficult to speak. Everything I said sounded silly. I became conscious about the way I walked going out the door. Picking up a glass of water developed into a fashionable exercise. I felt like a complete fool, yet I could not stop myself from acting like a fool.

Then I began to imitate the girl’s behaviour. I began to use the same sort of vocabulary as she did. I laughed when she laughed and frowned when she frowned. I even ordered tea when she ordered some, although I drink coffee as a rule. Then she began to talk about her boyfriend and the moment was gone.

However, it got me thinking. Do we perhaps imitate people we admire or like to gain their acceptance? Is such change good? Is it not perhaps more admirable to be yourself? Or is it perhaps a natural process we go through to become one with somebody else?

What do you think?