July 15, 2001    
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What do you think it means to be "cool"?

When it's 60 degrees Fahrenheit out, most people are pretty cool.

Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames
, IA  USA

I guess being cool is doing the in thing what ever it might be that my age group are doing. Especially with teen agers. But I do what I feel is good and right and not what every body else does.

Marci, 56
Diamond
, OH   USA

Well a lot of people thing "cool" people are the most popular, etc. etc. but I take the word cool to a more literal term. Someone who "plays it cool" so to speak. Someone who isn't all hyper and stuff just kind of mellow, or someone pretty independant. Does that make any sence? lol.

Dianne, 16
Ontario  CANADA

Oh, I dunno. Being cool is overrated...I think it's an attitude though-not caring what anyone thinks and being able to make people laugh. It's about giving off an aura of "I don't really care what you think, I know I'm awesome"...it's a confidence thing. It's being so laid back and sure of yourself that others envy what you have...even when in reality, you may have nothing.

Angela, 16
Bella Vista
, AR  USA

To me, being "cool" is all about being confident and happy with who you are. To know that you have something special inside you, but not being cocky about it.

Jennifer, 19
Wilkes-Barre
, PA  USA

I know it when I see it.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA   USA

My definition of someone who is "cool" is someone who likes themselves, who is confident and capable and happy, but I do not think that this is the popular definition of cool at all.

Cool changes from environment to environment and is based on that places perception of the best dress, the best ways to act and the best things to do. So, cool is never the same and you may be cool in one place and be a dud elsewhere. In is all part of being a member of the in crowd. Confidence helps though in any environment.

I will note that once a person leaves college and enters the adult world, cool becomes much more a factor of confidence and know-how. It is more flexible and more a matter of who you are then how you look.

Deb

be an individual, don't try to be like everyone else

Melodi, 19
Gahanna
, OH   USA

I think about "cool" in terms of temperature and comfort.

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
, PA  USA

My personal definition of being cool is when someone is super smooth or sly.  It's also something that's not overly exciting but it's interesting...cool  man. Of course, I'm the coolest so it doesnt really matter. :)

Ry, 23

I think being cool is that you are confident with yourself and you think highly of your self. It doesnt matter what other people think. If you think your cool than you are.

Heather, 15
TX  USA

Being absolutely allright with yourself

keri-jade

Being "cool" usually implies being au courant with the latest trends. In a more traditional sense, it may also mean maintaining grace under pressure.

Jane, 60
West Linn
, OR   USA

To speak your mind but not to hurt others with it. To have your friends like you but for who you are. And to care for the world and not slowly destroy it.

Stephanie, 25
TX  USA

A "cool" person goes there own way; does what they want to do because THEY want to, not anyone else. However, a "cool kid" obeys his parents and does what he wants within their boundaries.

Reba, 51
Rockville
, MD   USA

It means, to be slightly cold :P If you mean in the slangy sense, thats not definable by one person, because EVERYONE's definition of "cool" varies. When someone says someone or something is "cool", it just means that person likes or admires it.

Talia, 23
Wilton
, CT   USA

I sure wouldn't know since I am the antithesis of being "cool".I suppose I could say that Edge and Christian of the WWF are "cool"...in fact, they reek of awesomeness...

Frodo
age unknown, parts unknown

there's a difference between being popular and being cool, even though i think a lot of people get them confused as the same word. being popular is having lots of friends, playing lots of sports, having your name around the school etc. but being cool is not being fake, being your own person, and not letting anything change you. it takes a lot to find a "cool" person in high schools these days.

Karen2, 15
Boston
, MA   USA

For an object to look cool I think it has to look stylish, original or eye-catching. For a person to be cool, they have to go against the rules.

Shanna, 16
Cardiff  ENGLAND

I think being cool is being yourself, even if it means others think you're a little wacky.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

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