Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Gwishy, anyone?

Do you feel that we need a word for 'acting like ourselves' in public, perhaps even consiously letting the intensity knob turn a few extra clicks?

If so, I propose 'Gwishy' as 'Gifted + Swishy = Gwishy'

Sometimes, I will show up at a family gathering or event with my frisbee strapped to the outside of my traveling tournament sized chess set, and a Rubix cube in my pocket to entertain DS12, and let myself talk really fast and a bit too loud, and certianly too enthusiastically about my current intellectual passion, or just whatever book has captured my mind lately.

I mean, I'm thinking that we really need a word for those times when we are feeling comfortable enough to be out in the world without our 'ND masks' taped in place as best we can. I know that my best 'ND mask' is really only about 50% effective to begin with, but I believed in it so for so many years.

Does anyone have a differnt word to propose for this kind of behavior? Any good stories to share?

Love and More Love,
Grinity

I can always tell when I'm at home because I let myself make aloud the really bad puns that pop into my head. No puns = not comfortable.

"Gwishy" makes me laugh. The only problem I can see with it is that some older, conservative people I know well (Who shall remain nameless...) use the term "swishy" to describe an effeminate man. Not politically correct, obviously, and not something I'd EVER say! (No, that was definitely NOT a confession, in case anyone was confused!) But I can't help it: it's what I think of when I hear the word because of these people.

But I can get over it. It's my problem!

Regardless, I really, really like the notion!

Thanks Kriston,
I've known Gay Men who use Swishy as a Pride word for when they are 'Camping it Up.'

I know that we 'Camp it Up' sometimes too as Gifties, and I think the analogy of some many of us trying to mask ourselve to feel safer in the word is a pretty good analogy to the 'Bad old days' for Gay Men.

Not to push the analogy too far, but it occurs to me that we also want to be free to be outselves, without the giftedness defining our whole selves, each of us unique and yet having enough common experiences to share lots of perspective.

I hope I haven't mis-stepped here.

Grinity

Nah, I don't think so. Not one bit! It sounds like you're embracing the word for all the right reasons.

You've got my vote! It certainly is a great word for expressing how I feel when I let go.

Gwishy works for me!

This makes me laugh over and over again.


This made me laugh and cry at the same time. I envision stripping off the ND mask, "going commando" and streaking through the world with a copy of Hitchhiker�s Guide to the Galaxy.

Ooh, now I'm liking "going commando" for a code word!

It might scare people not used to us though...

LOL!

On a more serious note, Chapter 5 is titled "Behind the Mask." You can read an excerpt here
Teaching and Counseling Gifted Girls Book
One of the quotes was
Looks like I can thank this board for adding another book to my reading list.

I like this idea! Can't think of a better word for it - It would be good to have some way to nudge dh back over the line/retape the mask! He is our most out there gt and you can't really say, Oh he's just being 8...but then again I like him best this way (mostly)

As a term of solidarity, I really like the concept.

Also, going commando sounds like a good one, too!

As for stories ....just the other day dh who is a serious gourmand and preparer of amazing food was speaking with a new aquaintance (parent of a friend of ds'). The mom was recommending a certain restaurant and Dh immediately launched into several reasons why he would want to try it and several reasons why he wouldn't, by the end he was almost breathing heavy due to not having taken in enough breath (at least from my perspective ....the lady graciously said something about maybe the two-restaurant "chain" had gotten stretched a bit thin. She is a mom of a gt, so she is probably used to some over the top behavior and really handled it ok - she might even get all gwishy herself if we get to know her better!

Great Story!

My favorite story was watching one of our hero-professors at a Miniature Golf Course entertaining friends from 'out-of-town' who had obviously never played this particular Course before. Our group played behind theirs, and we were treated to observing the fellow explain each hole in great breathless detail, total absorption, and with tremendous pleasure and utter unself-counsiousness. It was lovely and absurd all at the same time and has stuck with me over many years.

Smiles,
Grinity

"Eccentric" is a real word that comes to my mind. I kind of think of it as a pleasant mix of a brilliant scientist with a touch of madness and the lavender scented, sweet tempered old lady who knows where all the bodies are buried.

Now you'll all know how weird I am, hahaha.