Why do people tend to equate popularity with being a good person? There is this guy I have enough reason to dislike and he probably doesn't particularly like me too, but he's really popular among my classmates and all my best friends. What do I do when my friends go on and on about this guy and I have to say or do something to break the awkward silence? I'm afraid revealing my resentment against him would seem I'm a mean person, and saying anything bad behind his back really isn't a good way to handle this. But I don't want to pretend to like him to simply "fit in" with my friends.

If you think you 'have to' fill in a silence, then you are just like them. How do you know that they actually like the guy? Maybe they are sheep too. Part of being young is thinking that your friends are always right. Gee, they're thinking the same thing, and someone has to set the trend. You don't need to make a big deal about anyone you don't like, but you don't need to pretend to like them either. You could say that you don't agree with them but wish to keep negative opinions about individuals to yourself.

Let me guess... you are still in school? I'm right? COrrect. Kids tend to equate that... Adults don't. Adults know what a load of crap that is within the first few years out of school. The real world doesn't work like it did in school. Popular doesn't get you a job, or keep you a job, popular doesn't get you the promotion if you can't back it up with know-how and skill.

You don't pretend to like anyone based on what anyone else says or thinks... as was pointed out quite well by joypulv, those cliques you think are so important that so much revolves around will be gone as will most of the people in them shortly after you graduate. Not putting so much importance into them would do you more good. If you can completely consider them unimportant, you will be far better off than they are when the time comes... If you have a group of kids where everyone collectively thinks this or that... then nobody in that group is really doing much thinking AT ALL on their own.

You don't have to pretend you like him and you don't have to say anything If someone ask you something you can always say "Id rather not say" or "No opinion"

Your silence on a subject, whatever it may be, doesn't have to be awkward. You can chime in when they talk about stuff you like, and don't say anything when its stuff you don't. A wise teacher once said to me if you can't find something good to say about a person, say nothing.