Seriously?? Is that the best you can say???

JKR, as always, nails it with this one. Why, is it that, even after we achieve something big, one of the first things we hear is that, "You've lost so much weight!!" or, more insultingly, " You look so tired, and worn out. That silly work has taken such a toll on you!" I mean, why is it so hard to say "Congratulations! I'm really happy for you", and mean it!!

I've often wondered, is it really because people are so shallow and close minded, or is it the envy talking? At times, even those, whom you thought were friends, simply don't seem to get it! They simply don't get how important your achievement is, to you!

Sadly, this seems to apply more to women, than men, and particularly in India. Even now, in a supposedly gender neutral society, women achievers are not given the appreciation and recognition they deserve. People simply don't take them seriously. If a woman has done something really great, like written a wonderful book, or risen to a high position in a company, many men (and sadly, women too) automatically assume that it was a fluke, or luck, and that the lady would never be able to rise to the challenge, and stick it out to the finish. They laugh at her, if she actually takes an initiative to grow in her career, and actually repress/discourage her. Worst of all, they are patronizing and disdainful. This includes some of the "educated" families as well.

People should be appreciated for what they are, and not who they are. The Hermiones, Nevilles and Lunas of the world should be celebrated, not the Malfoys and Pansy Parkinsons, however more attractive they may be.