At work and play, diabetics have to get along with people who are not diabetics. Their knowledge of diabetes as a condition, presence of diabetics in the family etc. factors influence their behaviour and attitude towards diabetics. This is particularly true when food is a part of the socializing agenda, which is quite often. How normal people treat known diabetics when food accompanies discussion is an interesting subject and as a diabetic I have experienced different kinds of behaviour from friends, colleagues, relatives and acquaintances.
I have tried to identify behaviour patterns and map them to well-known symbols of such behaviour. I have identified five such behaviour patterns. Though these are the fundamental patterns, quite a few display one of the hybrid behaviour patterns, which I have discussed later.
I have identified and described these patterns in the commonly occurring context of sweets being offered in a situation where roughly 4-10 people are together and one of them, you, is 'the' diabetic. The setting for this can be home, a restaurant or canteen or even a break during a meeting at work.
The basic patterns of behaviour towards diabetics:
The Monk - Is quite detached even though aware of your diabetic condition. Treats you just like anybody else, you are no one special. E.g. casually offers you sweets just as to anyone else and does not comment on your reaction, whatever it be, to that offer.
The Bull - Like the Cat, shows no overt concern for your condition. But if you refuse to have the sweets, tries to convince you that you are being unduly finicky ('come on, this small piece is not going to kill you'). Gives examples of people they know whose sugar levels have been 'permanently above 300 for years' and yet are doing fine.
The Hawk - Immediately reminds you of your diabetic condition if you reach out for anything sweet. Keeps a hawk eye on you, but leaves it at reminding.
The Crow - Claims your share of the sweet since you are not supposed to have it and thanks you for that.
The Dog - Guards you against sweets. Takes effective action to keep sweets away from you using verbal and physical means to achieve that.
Some of the hybrid patterns are described below. I am sure more can be identified from experience.
Monk-Haw - Initially offers you sweets just as to the others, then casually mentions that you are diabetic and leaves it at that.
Bull-Crow - Tries to convince you to have the sweets even when stating that you are diabetic and if you insist on not having, claims your share.
Monk-Crow - Offers sweets, says nothing, but if you refuse, claims your share.
Interestingly, Bull-Dog is not a valid behaviour pattern here.
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