Question of the Day

[ayoub]

What assumptions do you feel people make about you?

---

I think I get lumped into stereotypes often....

Comments

[conservative67.livejournal.com]

I don't feel they make any I KNOW they do because I'm gimped

[brenda-in-sepia.livejournal.com]

Now, now, being a conservative doesn't make you gimped! :P


*sorry, with that icon I couldn't help it!*

[chiropteraclan.livejournal.com]

I'm sure the assumptions are something negative about being overweight.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I hate that...

[brenda-in-sepia.livejournal.com]

People tend to assume I am smarter than I am. Also until I had my ring people always thought I was single automatically, probably because I'm so plain looking.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

It's good for people to assume you're smart... :D

[babystar620.livejournal.com]

People assume I need them to speak to me in Spanish.

And that I'm easy, or overly sexed or some negative sexual assumption because I have big breasts.

[melissa-maples.livejournal.com]

People assume I need them to speak to me in Spanish

Ugh, that must piss you off.

[1jodie.livejournal.com]

the biggest assumption people make is that i am always together and on top of things

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Does that ever bug you?

[flutterbychild.livejournal.com]

People assume that I lack intelligence because I spend way too much time daydreaming and am a bit easily distracted.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

That's a dangerous assumption to make...

[alainn-mactire.livejournal.com]

That I'm "nice" because I'm into "fluffy" things like crystals and pacifism...

That I'll agree with anything anyone says just because I don't like drama...

That I'm dumb and lazy and don't know how to eat anything other than pizza because I'm chronically ill and happily rubenesque in size...

That I'm single, or that "husband" must be screwing around because I'm dumb and lazy and round (see above)...

That I'm a prude because I have boundaries on what is and isn't appropriate behaviour outside a relationship...

And, that I'm weak in all aspects because I'm chronically ill (these people soon change their minds on that one, LOL).

I get stereotyped quite a lot...

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

Assumptions can be so cruel...

Just to name a few that immediately come to mind:

[cmerun12.livejournal.com]

(in no particular order):
I'm flighty
I'm irresponsible
I'm a social butterfly
I don't know/understand stability
I'm crazy
I'm superficial
I have no "real" depth
Nothing "real" or "serious" bothers me
I'm ignorant
I'm too confident
I'm arrogant
I can fix any and everything
I know everyone
Because I like "x", I 'have' to like "y"
I'm a bitch
I'm cold-hearted
I don't think things through
I'm a flake
I'm a doormat
I'll do anything on a dare
I'm kidding when I say "I can't hear you"
I'm vicious
I'm cruel
I'm cold-hearted
I don't have time for "important" things
I'm too generous
I'm not real
I'm wishy-washy
I can't make up my mind
I won't "understand"
I don't/won't care

... how far do you want me to take this? Because I can keep this list going all day long.

Re: Just to name a few that immediately come to mind:

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised at a lot of those...

[melissa-maples.livejournal.com]

Turks assume that the reason I managed to get to the age of 35 without having a husband and seven children is because no one could possibly want a person who is as morbidly obese as I am (as previously mentioned, I am 5'7", 165 pounds, and wear a US size 10/UK 12). It never occurs to them that the reason I'm not married with children is because I chose not to go down either of those roads. It also never occurs to them that 165 pounds is not morbidly obese.

Turks assume that the reason I'm 165 pounds is because all Americans are obese. During the 25 years I lived in the US, I was never once heavier than 130 pounds. I didn't gain weight until I moved to the UK and discovered fried breakfast. [see also: 165 is not morbidly obese, etc.]

Americans assume that the reason I left the US is because I'm some sort of hater, or because I have no love for my country. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I just have love for the rest of our planet, as well, and I want to experience it.

Brits assume that because I'm American, I'm the one they should choose if they need someone to complain loudly about something, or if they need someone to boss people around at top volume. Never mind the fact that I'm an extreme introvert and often go weeks without speaking to anyone but my boyfriend, and I hate getting involved in conflicts. Also, when I first moved to the UK one of my initial observations was how loud English people are when they talk in public, not at all like my circle of friends back in the US.

Men assume that because I have big breasts, that's automatic permission to touch me or come on to me.

Women assume that because I don't hide my breasts, I think I'm prettier than they are, or better somehow.

People in general seem to think I live a life of adventure just because I moved away from my native country... when in fact I spend most of my time in my house.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Well, personally, I think you're beautiful...

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

I try not to make those assumptions because I just want to win them over, but one that nags me still, which by the way I know isn't always true, is that people just dismiss me as a goof.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

To dismiss you as a goof would be a mistake, bro...

[libra-dragon.livejournal.com]

That I am rather bitchy and/or standoffish as I am horribly quiet when I first met people.

I am just really shy and talking to new people scares the hell out of me.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Shy people usually get that...

[heardthatnoise.livejournal.com]

Hmm...
I'm not skinny so I must not be healthy.
I'm aloof.
I'm over confident.
I'm intimidating.
I'm too smart.
I'm not smart enough because I don't work somewhere else.
I'm stupid because I'm a single mom.
I'm even stupider for getting a divorce.
I'm some sort of freak because I have tattoos and piercings.
I'm not available emotionally.
I'm manipulative.
I'm the rock, the strong one, the one to go to when you need a shoulder.
I can fix things - and that I want to fix things.
I'm too honest.
I'm too open.
I'm not open enough.
I don't like them because I don't talk to them constantly.
I laugh too loud.
I am too loud.
I'm too quiet.
I'm reserved.
I'm insecure.
I'm too secure.
They can touch me because I'm friendly.
They can't approach me because I carry myself tall.
They need to steer clear because I don't smile enough.
I'm crazy because I can tell a story and it's 85% true, but they don't know which parts aren't.

I'm never what anyone expects. I'm hardly ever what anyone wants me to be. I'm always what my friends and family need me to be - because I love them. I'm too much or not enough for the rest of the world. Always.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

It's good to be beyond expectations :D

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

People also assume I'm Hispanic and try to say my last name in Spanish. I'm used to it, but I do correct them.

que chato!

[erva-doce.livejournal.com]

Yeah, everyone also assumes that if you live in South America you speak Spanish. Chato, né? ;) Oh, and that we all eat Mexican cuisine...because South America is just one big city with absolutely no differences! Burrice! ;)

[erva-doce.livejournal.com]

Heh.
That I'm automatically extremely pale white because I'm American.
That I only like to eat fast food.

Those are the most annoying ones I tend to get. Makes sense...but pisses me off (and, no, they are not true for me).

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Annoying indeed!

[beatzz.livejournal.com]

People used to think I was arrogant before they knew me.

Recently, another thing I've been told people have assumed about me (that was wrong) was that I was grade-conscious. Ahaha... I'm like the laziest person in class. >.<

And, because of the glasses, people tend to think I'm nerdy and bookish. (Not that they're wrong.)

[beatzz.livejournal.com]

And reading through other people's answers, I agree that my reluctance to be the first to approach (my kind-of shyness) makes people think I'm standoffish and antisocial, which I'm not really. I do find it weird also when people say, 'wow, you're really unexpectedly nice and you're chattier than I expected'.

[sirenity.livejournal.com]

That I'm nice. ;)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

But you are!

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I'm sure that they make assumptions about me because I'm fat, and probably because I haven't been on a date in two years. They probably think that I haven't been on a date because I'm fat and no one will have me. I live in a pretty small town and everyone seems to have an opinion on everyone else - even worse, they don't mind sharing said opinion. Loudly. In public. *headdesk*

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I haven't been on a date for ages!

But people assume I have been... Odd :P

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

That I'm an earthling.
That I'm a right wing fanatic
That I'm the reincarnation of Dr. Seuss
That Homer Simpson and I were separated at birth
That I want to kick their ass
That I have a sign on my back that reads "sucker" and if they're nice to me I'll give them something good

And many more:)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

A fanatic? No way!

[honuhoney.livejournal.com]

you name it and the truth is the opposite or somewhere in the middle, but mostly that i can't be hurt, that i'm amazing and that i've got my life together.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Well, you are amazing... :D

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

That because I'm a little tough...that equals I have no feelings.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I can never understand that assumption...

[mousie.livejournal.com]

I get tired of men thinking I am not intelligent just because I don't spew my political views, or have to run around sounding like an encyclopedia. Sometimes the smarter road to take is to observe, listen, and be humble...

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I agree about the smarter road :D

[fox-bard.livejournal.com]

1. That I'm a full out hippie just because I'm a tree-hugger.

2. That being a Druid makes me an automatic hippie.

3. Without facial hair, I'm mistaken for a chick. I used to seriously freak about this, until I got my grandfather's pictures and saw what a pretty boy he used to be, too. Especially the one that's hanging on the wall behind me. So, now I only mildly freak when mistaken for a chick.

4. That I'm purely gay, and my physical appearance doesn't particularly help.

5. That I'm somehow taller than I really am. I'm only 5'5 on a good day. I very much physically embody some of the traits of my animal totem. Unless you know of any foxes that are the size of a grizzly bear, you kinda gotta imagine slender and short, but well-proportioned and wiry.

6. That because I'm short and slender in build, I'm weak. ::just laughs at this one:: You don't have to be tall to be a Tasmanian Devil beserker when a clear and present threat is laid down. In fact, underestimation is very handy, as is speed. I like five second or less knock-outs, not 20 minute Matrix dance sequences.

7. That being a white male in America makes me an automatic bigoted asshole. I'm an asshole, it's true, but unlike any of the other white males in America. I'm my own kind of asshole! HAHAHAHAHAHA! ::cough:: Or something. Anyway...

I can't think of anything else. Those are the ones I face the most.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Y'know... I still don't get the chick thing... I've never seen it.

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

I'm black.

This means my IQ drops 50 points when I walk into any room or conversation.

I am followed through stores like a thief.

And even thought I am a professional with a solid record and a good paying job, when buying anything I am asked "How do you plan to pay for it?" with the assumption being that I can't.

It would be easier to ask me what assumptions aren't made. :)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

That still happens?

Yikes... It's much less of an issue over here...

[onesexiladee.livejournal.com]

That I am aloof and stuck up, when in fact I am shy. I keep a wall around me when I first meet strangers because I am so scared of getting hurt. When you get to know me I think I am a pretty cool open person! :)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Yeah... Shyness can cause that :(

Let's see..

[the-ravyn.livejournal.com]

Things people have assumed about me:

I am strong in any given situation.
I am difficult to get along with.
I am hard hearted.
I think that I am always right.

Re: Let's see..

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Difficult? You? Heard Hearted? YOU? And the others?

NO WAY!

But you are strong, when needed... *love*