What is CUTE ?

It is interesting to know that Knut, a young polar bear at the Berlin Zoo, has been referred to in news media as "cute". What is cute? Exhibit pedomorphosis and cuteness and polar bears gain popularity, isn't it?

Being cute has become a marketing tool for Sanrio [think Hello Kitty], Sesame Street [think Elmo] etc.

Many a times, people want me to stay cute forever. Not too bad, if one day I can generate royalties for being, well, err, 'cute'. I would shift my habitat to the ever cooling icebergs and eat salmon sashimi for breakfast. Before I morph into that cutie sweetie pie with child-like characteristics, I rather make my stand clear. Just don't want to hear people call me CUTE. There are far too many synonyms to begin with. And If I happen to be cute, please pardon me. At least you don't have to tell me I am cute. Either the being's vocabulary is limited, or that it has become the norm to say 'cute' as you like it.

And did I just hear the following?

"Her new born baby is so cute."

"Mickey Mouse is so cute."

Of course, unless, you enjoy referring babies as rodents.

Let me be the abnormal being, and start by using less 'cute' as reference point, hao mah?