Special?
“特別跟特色還是有一點點不一樣的。。。一個是Special，一个是 Unique，兩個不一樣”
In a recent Taiwan drama series, the main character - a rising star in the coffee scene - was determined to make his coffee special, and his mentor challenged him to reflect on the difference between special and unique. Unaware of the distinction, this character’s confusion and frustration was humourously exaggerated.
Like this character, many people probably use special and unique interchangeably and consider them synonyms. A recent conversation I overheard among a group of kids got me thinking about these words again.
Child A: I don't know (the answer)...
Child B: You can find the answer here.
Child C: That's cheating.
Child B: A can do that because A is special.
-Silence-
Child D: Everyone is special. Everyone is special in their own way.
The pin-drop silence that followed ‘A is special’ felt oddly uncomfortable. In most situations, such a statement would be heartwarming, but in this context, it carried an underlying tone of resentment and judgment. Do you ever feel a similar discomfort when it comes to ‘special needs’ or DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) topics? Does it sometimes seem like we’re masking something negative with all the positivity, rainbows, and unicorns?
Special implies an emotional or personal value. When someone is described as special, it suggests that they are better, more important, or more valuable in a meaningful way. I understand why Child B says Child A is special. The social norm is 'no cheating', but if Child A can look at the answer without facing consequences, it suggests there is something inherently more valuable or important about her - something that allows her to transcend the usual rules. Of course, Child B wonders why he isn’t the special one. The help given to Child A sent an implicit message to Child B, one that makes him feel less than.
At the same time, I understand Child D’s perspective, ‘Everyone is special. Everyone is special in their own way.’. Each person has something worth valuing — some quality or strength that sets them apart. We may not be seen as special by everyone, but each of us deserves to be appreciated in some way, by someone.
What sets us apart is what’s unique about us. There isn’t always an emotional or personal value tied to it. I have a unique birthmark on my face, something rare, something no one else in my social circle has.
Being part of a society, our identity is not only derived from our individual attributes but from the value others place on us. I have a unique birthmark, and of course I wish this birthmark can be special — something seen as beautiful or charming, like a dimple. But does specialness come simply because I want it to? If not, should I erase this unique part of myself? In trying to find our place in this vast world, I wonder if we sometimes forget to make space for our uniqueness — even when it isn’t considered special.
Child D’s unique response after the pin-drop silence also has its place. Unbeknown to him, his unique response may have been a passing remark to one person, but for another, it was an affirming moment of upstanding action.
“You’re one of a kind, and it’s so clear to see. The world needs who YOU were made to be. ”
