10 Things NYU Students Can Learn From Paddington Bear
Paddington Brown is a nice British bear who currently stars in next year’s Oscar winner for Best Picture, Paddington 2. If people were more like Paddington, the world would be a better place in almost every regard. The following is a brief list of ways NYU students would benefit from emulating Paddington in their daily lives. This is for the public good.
Be nice to service workers
In Paddington 2, Paddington is unfailingly polite to everyone, including people who serve him food, people who collect his garbage, and people who clean up after him. Paddington would never ask for his pancakes before they are done. Paddington would wait patiently and trust that the person making his pancakes knows what they are doing. Be more like Paddington.
When you make a mistake, own up to it
Paddington is a good and nice bear, but sometimes he is clumsy and makes a mess of things. No one holds it against him because he is so well-meaning and sweet-hearted. If you accidentally flood your dorm’s bathroom or shave off a huge chunk of hair while working at a quaint barbershop, apologize. It’s what Paddington would do.
Avoid self-indulgent personalities
The antagonist of Paddington 2 is a down-on-his-luck actor played by Hugh Grant. His evil plot is to find buried treasure so that he can fund a one-man show starring himself. This is truly one of the more frightening schemes that a movie villain has cooked up in recent memory, and should be remembered the next time you get an invitation to some Tisch student’s one-man show.
Be understanding with friends, but don’t coddle them
Paddington’s friend and foster brother, Jonathan, spends much of Paddington 2 pretending to be someone he is not due to peer pressure at school. Fearing that his true interest in steam trains is “not cool,” he decides to hide it. Paddington is understanding and kind regarding this phase, but quietly encourages Jonathan to embrace his love for steam trains. Since Paddington is the perfect friend, this is the only way to handle any similar situation.
If you get in trouble, make the best of it
Paddington spends a large portion of Paddington 2 imprisoned after a series of hijinks involving a pop-up book lead to a case of mistaken identity. While in prison, he decides to work to improve his surroundings and by the end of the film, the prison is an adorable Wes Anderson fever dream. Academic probation should be handled similarly, if possible.
Support independent journalism
Paddington’s foster sister, Judy, spends much of the movie chasing a good story as the editor of her own newspaper. Paddington is helpful and supportive of this goal. Thank you for supporting NYU Local and clicking on this very important article. You are already just a little bit more like Paddington.
Eat healthy
Paddington loves marmalade sandwiches, which he claims contain “all the vitamins and minerals a bear needs for a whole day”! Please note that Paddington is a bear, not a person, and as such should not be considered a trustworthy source in the area of human health. The human equivalent of a marmalade sandwich is a balanced and nutritious diet. Keep this in mind the next time you head over to Upstein.
Make a hot air balloon out of blankets and a laundry basket
I don’t know if this is a realistic goal, but it would be nice.
Accept everyone
Paddington is just a really nice bear who loves everyone and treats every human being with respect, okay? Is that so much to ask? Why can’t we all be like Paddington? Please let’s try to be more like Paddington.
See Paddington 2
If Paddington were not already the star of Paddington 2, he would most definitely see Paddington 2 in theaters.
