Thursday, May 9, 2013
Perception
When you think about meeting people for the first time we all make automatic assumptions. One of the things I love most about going to college, especially non-traditional, is that I meet so many different people I wouldn't in my regular daily life. You gain this sense of community whether you have many different classes with some people or you are meeting some for the first time. The funny thing is if I saw a lot of those people on the street or met them in any other situation besides sitting in a class for four hours together I might have made automatic assumptions about them, and not good ones either. Maybe I would have thought I had nothing in common with them whether they were too old, young, loud-mouthed or quiet. Whatever it is I might have said I wasn't anything like them so why try to get to know them right? The thing is, tonight in my class, when everyone was doing their intro, there was not one person I couldn't find something to relate to. I don't like cats either and sometimes I have gummy bears for breakfast too. So what? We are all alike in some way or another so why do we, or at least myself, walk around shutting ourselves off from learning something about every person we meet? Because maybe on the off chance you will find yourself liking something about them or finding out you can't stand them and want them to drop off the face of the Earth. At least you tried. Which is more than I can say for myself sometimes. There was an article I read about an award winning violinist (I think) who dressed up like a bum and played in a subway to see what would happen. The highlight of the video was when a small kid stopped to watch him...then his mother tugged him along on his way. This is a dude that sells out amphitheaters full of fancy people who pay hundreds of dollars for a ticket but because of the way he was dressed, it didn't matter if he played beautifully at all. Makes you think. Challenge to myself: Find one random stranger to have a conversation with this week. They will probably think I am crazy but maybe we will have something in common to share with each other in this crazy, wacky world.
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I love your spirit! I used to think (falsely) that I had my core group of friends in place and, other than some new acquaintances, my friend group would remain the same. Boy was I wrong...in fact, I met a new friend on my first night of Avila classes and she will be a lifer! I just turned 52 years old and it's exciting to know that on any given day... a stranger just might become a new best friend!
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that we judge people sometimes by the way they dress. I know the video you are talking about and too bad that mom just planted that judgmental seed in her son's mind. I went to the farmer's market (downtown) last summer and there were 2 guys playing some live music and a small little boy hitting the drums. I didn't care how they looked because I was enjoying the music! Oh and I also recorded it :) Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxJMEcu9Vjk&feature=share&list=UUzuQsG-EwFpHvef1ptT4T0w
ReplyDeleteThat is so true! I think we all have a tendency to go through life this way which is really a shame. My boyfriend is the type of person that will strike up a conversation with anyone - it doesn't matter where he is or who they are. He will talk to anyone at anytime. It makes me laugh but at the same time, he has opened me up to be more friendly and it really does pay off. Having a pleasant conversation with a complete stranger can brighten your day and theirs!
ReplyDeleteI think that we are all prone to make judgments about people first before we actually get to know them. I know that I've done it and that it has been done to me. But, it's something that I've been trying to work on because I know how it makes me feel when people make assumptions about me without trying to get to know who I am and what I'm about.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest challenge is coming out of one's comfort zone to speak to someone who may be different or is "not like me." I remember when we first moved to the U.S. and how I hated it. I thought they were crazy for taking us out of our comfortable life where had my familiar friends and environment and brought me into this unknown awkward country. For me, it was such a culture shock and one that took a few years to finally begin to appreciate. I have enjoyed the pleasure of meeting people from different cultures and nationalities I know that I would have missed so much if my parents had allowed me to return after high school. I love that the great friends I have had the pleasure of knowing come in different colors and shapes. It has made me appreciate the many shades to the rainbows of life.
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