Do physical appearances influence how you/others think of something?

[iFi Salamander]

And I'd accept and understand that but you said "ghetto african american's" why just African American's, you get people like that in all races and skin tones.

There is, but it would be harder to pick out a white man of the same variety in a crowd, therefore I probably would have more trouble avoiding them.

[Demon Kitsune Yoko Kurama]

Since I'm still in school, people are judged by their looks everyday. I try not to do this, and I give everyone a chance of becoming my friend then to just judge them badly right off the bat. It seems annoying to judge someone by their looks.

[Electrolled]

No one uses stereotypes anymore except for Republicans and Italians, and we all know what they are like.

I'm really hoping you're kidding xD

You do realize this is also a stereotype, right?

Yeah. I realized that, but instead of saying all, I said many. But I can see how you think it's still a stereotype. I was trying to avoid making those, but that was something really hard to explain. If I added 'sometimes' and 'many' instead of 'always' and 'all', then it's not a stereotype, but it's really close.

Honestly, yes. The first thing you see when you meet someone is how they look, and even if you don't know, it does subconsciously influence how you feel about them.

You're right about that. It will, but why? Why does this happen? Was it a bad experience with a certain person? Or was it your childhood?

i try to read other people's faces and guess what they're thinking. its usually the first thing i do when i meet somebody new.

That's smart. Then you (if you're really good at that) can see if they're thinking about stereotypes about you.

Physical apperance influence how I think of things? Yes, yes it does. I would rather go through a town rather than a dark forest to get where i am heading. does that count?

Yeah. It does. But you never know about that dark forest, it could have something that the town could never offer. But, the forest won't get it's feelings hurt (I hope). It counts, but doesn't matter quite as much as actual humans.

I don't judge people on their physical appearances or what they wear. I only judge them by their attitudes and personalities. I do try to guess what they are thinking.

Ever? You've never saw a homeless man and automatically thought 'that was their fault' or 'they just use the money for cigarettes'. I used to think that, but then I saw a homeless man with a sign that said that he was gonna use the money for cigarettes. Then I thought about all the other homeless people, who didn't look like they smoked.

And (yes, this is a stereotype), I've heard that homeless people are some of the most generous people, cause they give what they can't give. Think about it. Bill Gates giving away half his money to charity, or a homeless man lending you his only blanket on a cold winter's night. Gates still has a huge business and tons of investments. But the homeless man has one blanket, and probably suffered that night. I don't see Bill Gates suffering. Sure, it helps more people (a lot more people), but it's like giving away something you don't use.

I'm kind of the same. Sometimes the thinking part. And sometimes their appearances matter. I don't like people who sag their pants.

Some of my friends sag their pants (and I forgot a belt once._.), but they're pretty intellectual and funny. Sometimes, you won't like people who sag their pants. But it shouldn't be because they sag their pants.

I am very judgemental towards pretty people.

I'm..uh..not sure how to respond. Are you annoyed because you don't look like them and cause they're 'all' popular?

I also don't like people who sag their pants, but if they are a good person, oh well what are you going to do.

Exactly. Lots of people are good on the inside, even people who act bad. Maybe it's cause they put a protective layering around themselves not to get hurt. But...yeah, some people are just jerks through-and-through.

I don't judge people by the way they look if they like the stuff like i like and have a great personality then well yeah i never judge people by the way they look

What if someone doesn't like the things you like, but they're a good person? And I don't believe you've never, ever judged anyone ever in your life. That sounds like the 'everyone-but-me' I always see in these types of discussions. Would that be considered a stereotype? Maybe. Maybe not. But I don't believe anyone can not judge people, even sub-consciously.

What a terrible post.
On topic, I'm tall and play pokemon, fairly poor, so most people think I'm immature and stupid.

Oh. That's pointless to put on the thread. If you don't like it, don't read it, and don't comment on it.
On topic, I can see how people would call you immature (because of Pokemon), but I don't get stupid. Can you please explain? Maybe it's cause (trying not to be offensive) your parent's don't make that much money so they would too stupid to get a good job, and others automatically assume you're the same?

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Took the words out of my mouth. But have you ever judged a book by it's cover?

This sounds dumb, but I do judge books. Especially the hardcover ones that have nothing on their cover. It's kinda hard to NOT judge. (Yeah, this thread was to be about people, and I know what you mean).

I will say I generally avoid socializing with ghetto African American's and really tan blondes. It kind of says something about them to me very quickly.

And no I am not racist, I am half black myself. I just don't act like that.

I don't act like that and I'm black. I will only avoid socializing with some other black people because they just get on my nerves. But I do like a majority of them. And I don't like the look of really tan blondes, but I don't...dislike them.

That's still a racist preconception, being "half black" is no excuse lol.

Yeah. What if someone didn't want to hang out with you because you're part black? In the past, people didn't like bi-racials, because the white people knew they were black, and the black people knew they were white. So you'd have nobody to hang out with except other bi-racials. Which were few and far between.

No, because I only avoid a certain type of black person, not all of them. In reality it is just their butchering of the English language and their city kid attitude that annoys me to know end.

So do people not from America/England and England is not their first language. I know this one kid from Ghana, and he can't speak without a studder. I don't hate him cause of that, we're friends.

And I'd accept and understand that but you said "ghetto african american's" why just African American's, you get people like that in all races and skin tones.

I'll have to agree with you again, DMerle.

[Poliwhirl'sMittens]

I do judge people by the way they look but it's really something that can't be helped but where I see the person also affects my view of them.
If I see an Asian person in a Calculus class, I would think that he's smart. If I see him in a remedial class, I would most likely think otherwise (although I wouldn't know what situation he was in that got him in that class)
If I see an elderly Asian person, I expect to hear a FOBy accent.
If I see a black guy out in the streets sagging his pants, I would think that he's ghetto. If I saw him in a math club or something, I'd think that he's well-spoken and maybe even intelligent.
I tend to think the worst when it comes to pregnant people (but again I wouldn't know their situation for example if they were raped).
Don't even get me started with weeaboos...I tend to avoid them at all costs.
So yeah, I prejudge people but it's also nice to get to know the real them and beneath the stereotypes. There have been so many cases where I just thought I couldn't get along with someone but then we ended up becoming best friends.

People prejudge me all the time. Viewing me from afar, they would think that I'm really shy and unsociable. Once they get to know me, they realize that I'm pretty loud and sometimes act ghetto. Then they just get confused when they see me playing sophisticated classical music on the piano.

[Electrolled]

Where you see the person? That's an interesting concept. I guess that could help more than just looking at the person. But what if the ghetto guy is walking to math club? Or the Asian just went to get a calculator in the Calculus class.

I'd rather a pregnant person than someone who went through abortion, that's just wrong.

Uh...what's a weeaboo?

It is nice to find people for who they are. But it's annoying and disappointing when my beginning thoughts were true and I was right about stereotypes.

[Poliwhirl'sMittens]

Where you see the person? That's an interesting concept. I guess that could help more than just looking at the person. But what if the ghetto guy is walking to math club? Or the Asian just went to get a calculator in the Calculus class.

I'd rather a pregnant person than someone who went through abortion, that's just wrong.

Uh...what's a weeaboo?

It is nice to find people for who they are. But it's annoying and disappointing when my beginning thoughts were true and I was right about stereotypes.

Well, like I said, I judge people, it's just in my nature. I don't know anyone else's situation. For example, I wouldn't know if a non-pregnant person had an abortion.

A weeaboo is someone who praises everything Japanese, wishes they were Japanese, thinks its the best culture in the world. Basically I just can't stand them..At all. Pretty much the same stereotype as a geek but just Japanese-obsessed. Some synonyms include wapanese and Japanophile.

[Electrolled]

Yeah, you're right about that. It's in everyone's nature. It's what you do about it makes you different.

Oh. I can see that getting annoying if they bring it up all the time. Anyways, I know nothing about Japanese anything, except for Jalorda (Serperior's Japanese name), and Konichiwa...so...yeah...

[Poliwhirl'sMittens]

Yeah, you're right about that. It's in everyone's nature. It's what you do about it makes you different.

Oh. I can see that getting annoying if they bring it up all the time. Anyways, I know nothing about Japanese anything, except for Jalorda (Serperior's Japanese name), and Konichiwa...so...yeah...

I'm fine with them liking anime and stuff like that (although it's a little too much for my liking) but it's annoying when any little thing that says "Made in Japan" is sacred. It also angers me when they don't embrace their own culture, like when they say they "wish" they were Japanese.
The most annoying thing though is when they TRY to be Japanese with their fake high-pitched "Kawaiiiiiiiiiiii" with a peace sign and weird face or adding "desu" at the end of every sentence....
-_____________- It just makes me cringe.

[Moonrox]

@Digletto

I only said that because he said it was a terrible OP, could've said it nice though.

Anyways, I'm considered stupid because: I'm poor, I'm a boy, I play pokemon, and I have a temper. The temper thing, I was born with cleft lip and palette, so I had a squished nose when I was younger, and I was always bullied because of it. I developed anger issues because of the bullying, so now I'm labeled as a spaz because of what I did when I was younger. All this somehow means that I'm stupid. Their logic is just... Ugh.

[sizida]

The cake is a lie.

[Swampert is my Homeboy]

Yes, I always judge people...........

[sweetie]

admittedly, yes. i am slightly prejudice when i first see someone. of course, if i am with the person long enough that preconceived notion changes but if that isn't the case....'if you look like a bitch you must be.' ^_^

[PikaPika677]

I'm a hypocrite. I judge others by their appearance before knowing them, but I hate it when people judge me. I think it's generally safe to form an opinion on someone based on their physical appearance, but there is that rare person who is completely different than what their appearance may suggest (me).

[Poliwhirl'sMittens]

I'm a hypocrite. I judge others by their appearance before knowing them, but I hate it when people judge me. I think it's generally safe to form an opinion on someone based on their physical appearance, but there is that rare person who is completely different than what their appearance may suggest (me).

It's okay, you're not alone, everyone's a hypocrite. This applies especially to most people who say "Don't judge a book by its cover." I actually like it when people judge me because then they are taken by surprise when they get to know the real me.

[iFi Salamander]

Everyone judges people by appearances, it is human nature to analyze.

[Swagsire]

It's okay, you're not alone, everyone's a hypocrite. This applies especially to most people who say "Don't judge a book by its cover." I actually like it when people judge me because then they are taken by surprise when they get to know the real me.

I looked at this thread for a long time. Deciding where to start. And it's here. This is the way I feel.

I hope everyones ready for Uncah Swagsire's story time!

I used to be afraid of people judging me, acne, wearing different shirts than others. But then I got called out by a teacher as an anarchist, and instead of defending myself, all I could do was laugh. That wasn't me. I just dressed in such a fashion that one might expect some sort of darkness lying inside. But it doesnt really matter if people judge you, because its what they do. And you won't know it, and they'll lie that they haven't at all. And if they get to know you, they'll learn for real. It's their call. Everyone loves to red tape absolutely everything nowadays, even things that don't need red tape. Up where I live we work with a lot of Indians. Yes, I said 'Indians'. Most normal people would say First Nations, or Native Americans or Aboriginals Blah Blah BLAHHHH. I tried that. And they laughed at us when we did buisness. They said 'Call us Indians, it's what we are'. This has happened multiple times with different groups. It doesnt mean you don't show respect, but you can't live completely in a box of politically correctness or you suffocate. iFi said 'ghetto' and everyone went up in arms. And y'know. If one of those people saw what iFi wrote who was a friend, they would not care if it was true.

Moral of the story, people judge people, and until you're deliberately in their face about it. You've done nothing wrong. Just acted human Qwaa

[Pikachu1125]

I don't know why but I feel less confident when I'm wearing glasses instead of contacts :/

[HoennDreamer]

nope, because i don't really care

[Dane12]

Nope, I don't judge people by their looks. Your appearance doesn't defines how your personality is. They way you dress reflects a bit of your personality but not all of it.

Like everyone says kids, DO NOT dress for success

[The Eleventh]

What does that mean?

It means:

Yes, lots of Asians are smart. Yes, black people will still steal.

What relevance does this have?

One more thing: Because of all these stereotypes, people have to hid some things. Maybe an Asian won't do as good as she could have, and a black kid will have to be really nice to a teacher to get the same treatment as the white kid.

You're saying that "some things" must be hidden. What is the black kid (:|) hiding? Poor behaviour? Then of course the teacher won't like him as much.

The nerd has to hide his secret obsession with a trading card game *cough* so that his other nerd friends don't shun him.

They're not friends, then. Is there a particular reason why they have to be nerds? O.o

I'm hoping for a discussion between the more intelligent people of these forums, but any questions or comments from the ones who know a little bit less can be here as long as they are respectful and don't say stupid stuff.

Condescending much?

Discuss.

Really? I thought we'd be doing something else.

And that's ignoring the complete filler that is the first-half of the post. I would hope that people know what stereotypes are without having to read such a convoluted example.

What a terrible post.

How original.

[Poliwhirl'sMittens]

I don't know why but I feel less confident when I'm wearing glasses instead of contacts :/

Whaaa, I like it when people wear glasses more for some reason. I remember I would always stare at the sun in an attempt to ruin my eyes so I could wear glasses lolololol.

[PkmnTrainer_GothicNerd]

Everyone is judgemental to some extent. It's human nature and I've learned to accept it. What matters is proving people wrong and people not being afraid to admit that they're wrong.

I know that when most people who look me: A black girl with average, "plain jane", looks and a short, petite body. Who hardly ever wears make up and will forever choose glasses over contacts. Who dresses in nerdy/emo/gothic/indie fashion. Who has many alternative interests from the mainstream. Whose most notable personality traits at first glance are shyness, introversion, awkwardness, and clumsiness. They see a "boring" (because of my looks), "weak"(because of my shyness) "weird"(because of my interests), "uppity"(the black community's word for "snob" because of my introversion), and "wannabe white"(because of my interest in things that aren't considered "black") girl.

But I know that people who are willing to look past that(like my family and acquaintances) will see that there is more to me than that and that's all that matters.

[Rave]

yes, pretty things influence my decisions alot of the times

[blackterminator3]

Ever? You've never saw a homeless man and automatically thought 'that was their fault' or 'they just use the money for cigarettes'. I used to think that, but then I saw a homeless man with a sign that said that he was gonna use the money for cigarettes. Then I thought about all the other homeless people, who didn't look like they smoked.

And (yes, this is a stereotype), I've heard that homeless people are some of the most generous people, cause they give what they can't give. Think about it. Bill Gates giving away half his money to charity, or a homeless man lending you his only blanket on a cold winter's night. Gates still has a huge business and tons of investments. But the homeless man has one blanket, and probably suffered that night. I don't see Bill Gates suffering. Sure, it helps more people (a lot more people), but it's like giving away something you don't use.

No, I don't ever judge a person even if they are homeless. I know a lot people that are homeless and they are the sweetest guys that you thought you could never meet. You see some people are homeless due to the economy and things that were out of their hands. I have a high school friend of mine who graduated with me. He went homeless due to bad choices. He has taught me from his bad decisions. The homeless people that I talk to sometimes do not take what they can give. To those people I always donate my old stuff to them cause I know they need more things, then I do and my family, friends, and gf does the same thing. Bill Gates is a wonderful man for giving away half of his money to charity. I wish most people were like him. A homeless man only has his blanket on a cold's winter night is sad, but last winter I saw one shivering, so me and my gf gave him a nice warm can of soup for dinner and he thanks us.

[Kacho]

I'm fine with them liking anime and stuff like that (although it's a little too much for my liking) but it's annoying when any little thing that says "Made in Japan" is sacred. It also angers me when they don't embrace their own culture, like when they say they "wish" they were Japanese.
The most annoying thing though is when they TRY to be Japanese with their fake high-pitched "Kawaiiiiiiiiiiii" with a peace sign and weird face or adding "desu" at the end of every sentence....
-_____________- It just makes me cringe.

lol. i might have a few weeaboo friends myself, but secretly the only thing that annoys me is the lack of attention to jpop, or even jdrama lol. but then again, jdrama with english sub is hard to find to share hahahaha.

but really, if people's perception of japan is from -solely- anime, let me bash my head to something hard