Is it really sincere and honest?

(WK2)

In communications class we talked about communicating and asking someone how they are doing. I am normally a very open person with people and love to talk and really get to know them. Especially when those people are friends with the same people I am friendly with. It is a normal thing to ask someone “how are you today” or “what’s up”? Saying this normally gives the person the opportunity to say, “I am fine” or the complete opposite and then they usually explain why they are feeling a certain way.

We expect people to say something even if they are not interested in what we have to say. It is like an unwritten rule. Most people just give a short answer and not really seem to care or engage in the conversation about what the person really wants to know and hear. Yesterday I experienced something similar. I was in line at Michaels Art Store listening to this wonderful conversation the cashier was having with a customer about the store and upcoming events.

I thought, “wow, what a happy and nice person the cashier is.” When it was my turn I put a big smile on my face and said “Hi, how are you today?” It was a long pause and no answer. I spoke up and said it again and she gave me a dirty look. So many things went through my head about the situation. Was it something I was wearing, how I said it, maybe I was closer in age to her then the older women and that caused an issue, or maybe that whole conversation with the women was all fake. Her whole attitude changed and it instantly became very negative. I understand that everyone is different and maybe it wasn’t anything personal by her not saying anything, but she did hear me. Nevertheless, I still kept a smile on my face and walked out wondering. It is so funny how people react differently to each other and their environment. I probably didn’t care too much about how she really was when I asked the question, but seeing how she was the cashier and helping me check out, it was the polite thing to do. It all goes back to the standard of what people expect about a person. Just like Eric said, no one really cares what people say when you ask them how they are. But overall it is just assumed that we follow the same routine as everyone else and ask those “normal” questions to possibly feel better about ourselves. (427)

Style and Attitude

(WK1)

After being in this class for a couple weeks, I have began to look at everything around me differently. After class last week, I realized how people are so quick to judge others based on their looks and how they present themselves. Eric, our teacher, was describing how he changes his looks and appearance based on who he is interviewing with. Why, we ask? Because that is what we know to do and what is expected of us. It’s considered normal. The instant someone does something differently from what society says is normal, they are judged on any number of levels.

Growing up in Maryland I experienced so much pressure to dress correctly and go along with the crowd. It was very competitive and there were lots of expectations. I found it interesting that most people refused to be different because they just wanted to fit in. I love art, therefore I am weird to some people. I accepted that a long time ago.

My individuality comes through my art and it allows me to be who I want to be. That doesn't make me any less of a person because I enjoy something different. Eric was telling us that the only way we know who we are is by communicating! This is true. We have more of an understanding of a person when we talk to them rather than judge them on how they look. I have met some of the nicest people who originally I thought were stuck up until I communicated with them and got to know them.

There is so much ambiguity among people. It makes a huge difference when we make that little effort to talk to each other face to face.

I enjoy the face to face exercises in class and walking around the room looking at our surroundings. Why? Because it let us become comfortable with each other and our surroundings. At first, we were out of our comfort zones because we had to talk to complete strangers but the end result is that we are all much more open and comfortable now.(351)

ME

Hi everyone,

My name is Jenna Fanning and I am a GIC aka graphic and interactive communications major here at Ringling College of Art and Design. I love it here! I am actually really intrigued with this class, because Eric, our teacher, is allowing us to be creative and think about communication differently than what we have always known to do and what we are so accustomed to doing. I also took this class because I HATE presenting (ha ha). I love to socialize in big groups of people but when it comes to standing in front of people and making a presentation, I become anxious. So, I am taking this class in hopes of improving in all aspects of communication and presentation.