Do you find that people who claim to be "unique" are mostly all the same?

For example, I’m going back to the same college that I attended 8 years ago just out of high school (different major, one I can get a real job with!). The “different” kids there today are remarkably similar to the “different” kids that were there when I was there the first time, but would swear up and down that they’re, well… different. Just one example.

I agree with you. ;)

Indeed. Those who claim to be unique/non-conformist are pretty much marching to the beat of a different drummer – but they’re still following someone’s marching orders.

Except for me. I am a total individual. ;-)

Sorry @klutzaroo, but no, it’s not just you; you are not so very unique that you’re the only one who has noticed this. :-)

I see what you’re saying, but don’t you think it’s safe to say people like that are still different from the majority of people in their culture?

@Anemone – You’re assuming that most people aren’t different from the majority of people in their culture.

What matters is determining whether one is different in a way that matters.

I think people who say things like that quite fancy themselves and I try to stay away to protect my true uniqueness.

@Anemone So they “prove” how “different” they are by doing the same thing as everyone else who wants to think they’re different? They join a subgroup instead of the main group and claim to be nothing like anyone else? Since when has different than mainstream been truly unique? And as @iamthemob said, what makes people mainstream? Are they all exactly the same too? Probably not. But then again, they’re not trying to prove how different they are.

We are all unique, just like everybody else. People who have to tell others what they are (intelligent, unique, freaky) are sometimes the exact opposite.

The whole concept of being a “non-conformist” comes off as awfully phony to me. Most “non-conformists” are still conforming to something, it just happens to have more tattoos and emo clothing. Also, I completely agree with @psychocandy. We are all unique. As cliche as it sounds, it’s true. No two people are exactly alike. I prefer those who don’t actively try be different from everyone or try to be the same as everyone; I just like people who do what they do and don’t care if it “conforms” or not.

I find that some people are straining to be perceived as extraordinary and that I tend in general to see them as nothing of the sort.

I also find that quite a few people who think they’re really normal are anything but. I have to keep explaining to the ones who are close to me that they’re going to lead themselves astray if they use themselves as a basis for anticipating and interpreting the attitudes and reactions of the majority.

The ones I find truly remarkable—the ones who jolt me to full attention because they are so far outside my ken that I can’t begin to imagine what it feels like to be them—are the ones who say things like this: “I’m just trying to figure out the best way to fit in.” “It’s important to me to be seen as part of the group.” “I don’t want to stand out too much.” These are people who (a) place a premium on conformity, (b) don’t see themselves as perfectly conforming, and  (c) are actively trying to overcome the disparity. I would love to question one of them closely sometime and ask them which member of the group they see as its essential conforming member and hence their model, or, if not one single member, then how in the world they arrive at an understanding of what they have to do to blend in. But I’m sure they wouldn’t want to give up their protective coloration long enough to talk to me about it.

Maybe so, although i’d vouch for the authenticity of my aunts, Monique & Unique. Identical twins but different in oh so many ways.

I call it “advertising”! People like that go out of their way to advertise this fact, even dressing the part to let you know without a doubt they are advertising for attention! ;)

I don’t know anyone like that. I suppose I must just be lucky!

I think this calls for that clip from Life of Brian

There are too many of us running around for anyone to be truly unique, at least I haven’t met any of them yet if they are out there!

Everyone is unique in their own way, and the same as well.

Like snowflakes or flowers, part of the whole yet individual in how they show up.

Also, it is common for younger people to be trying on different identities as they seek their own special niche of being.

We are all special and not special at the same time.

I’ve found that, especially in courting situations, when a guy (or girl I imagine) says, “I’m the kind of guy who [insert some desirable quality]....” invariably the opposite turns out to be the truth.
People who emphasize what they perceive their own personality traits to be like almost always turn out to be just the opposite. Those who clam to have an “open mind,” are only open toward those who share their own views and incredibly close minded to anything else.
Many people call themselves “Christian,” but their actions are hypocritical.

To that end, I don’t know anything, I am very closed minded, and I’m the kind of girl who is stupid. :)

The ways in which people TRY to be unique in American culture are depressingly similar—the tats, the black leather, the 1940s Stepford costumes, whatever tack they take.

I do notice that people who aren’t trying to be unique are often very interesting people. ;)

Yeah, someone tryna be different isn’t any different than the thousands of other people wanting to be different.

Anyone who claims to be anything that would be a tout to themselves is completely void of true self-awareness.

Well, to clarify, I think everyone is different. The people who fit the original description in this case are probably just more noticable to outsiders than how other kinds of people are different. I doubt they would say they’re claiming to be unique… they’re just existing.

Actually, people who exist for their own sake and don’t put a premium on being different have a good chance of being truly unique; the people who go out of their way to do superficially “different” things (e.g. wear tats, black leather, etc) are the ones who are more conformist than not in actuality.