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)