The Entourage Discussion

"But, Derby and Cali keep whispering about me..."
"I'm sure they're not whispering about you."
"But, they aaarre whispering about me... look at them; they're not being very nice to me and they're not letting me in on their funny secrets!"
"I doubt they're actually trying to be mean, Day. Maybe they're just trying to figure out the easiest way to get to know you."
"But, they do already know me... I told them everything they need to know about me! I told them about how I'm a professional athlete. And I told them about how popular I was back at the track and how all the other athletes there tried to be just like me... And I even told them just how LUCKY they are to get to be my new entourage!"
"Now, see that right there, might just be part of the problem. Friends don't like to be referred to as an 'entourage'..."
"No, but I meeaaant it as a compliment!"
"Well, an actual compliment would mean saying something nice about each of them rather than just about your own self."
"But, there wasn't really enough time for any of that..."
"Building friendships means making the time, Day."
"But, they still shouldn't be rude and whisper about meeee."
"And, I'm sure that they'll stop... just as soon as you show a little more interest in being actual friends with them."
"But you're not even helping me or making them stop."
"But, I am helping you. I'm explaining how you can help yourself make changes that will make your new friends feel like you appreciate them."
"Mamas are so unfair... grumble, grumble....."