Question of the Day

[ayoub]

What is your definition of normal?

Comments

[pan16.livejournal.com]

I consider just about anything to be normal as long as it doesn't interfere with the will of another human being. It's the multiplicity of culture, belief, sexuality, etc, that, for me, make things seem normal. Without this diversity I think I would feel extremely uncomfortable.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

That makes sense :)

[pan16.livejournal.com]

I hope so. My answer certainly isn't based on a generally-speaking definition. No Merriam-Webster here. Just pure Nathan Charles. The less normal in the conventional sense of the word, the more normal for me.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

This is why I ask the questions, to understand how my friends think...

[inmyocean.livejournal.com]

What feels right to a person based on experience, knowledge, culture etc. Anything outside of that perimeter or scope of understanding/knowledge would be deemed strange, unique, abnormal ...

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

So people who are more like yourself are considered more normal?

[inmyocean.livejournal.com]

I gave a general definition as to what 'normal' could mean and not based off of my own views on other people in comparison or contrast to me.

I don't like labels as you know. My normal would be different to anothers and so on and so forth. Normal is in the eye of the beholder and what they know and hold as true or false.

But I guess if I was in a room with half the people similar to me and the half very different, I guess I'd feel normal to half the group only. With the other half, I'd feel I was different to them. So the onus is not on the others but myself in comparison to what I know about them.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Thanks for explaining that hon :D

I always feel more "normal" around people with similarities to me... what surprises me is how "abnormal" I feel when I'm surrounded by Muslims... I may be one, but I just feel so out of place among them...

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

As an RC, I feel the same around most other Catholics. I simply don't vibe with them. I feel like I have more than they do, so I feel pity for them. Even more so with most other Christians. Interesting...

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Interesting indeed... :)

[f-l-i-r-t.livejournal.com]

Hmm... I don't really believe there is a 'normal'. I guess different cultures set certain boundaries of what they condone as 'normal behaviour' within the moral fibre of their laws and culture and religion. But I do not believe there is one definitive answer for this.

I personal strive to be as 'abnormal' as the society I live in will allow. *cheeky grin*

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I ask to get personal definitions as opposed to definitive ones... :)

[f-l-i-r-t.livejournal.com]

And my answer was my 'personal' response/definition as I saw it. My interpretation, my apologies if it did not meet the criteria of your original question. :O)

I still don't believe in or have an opinion on what 'normal' is or should be. I do not believe it exists, or has value as a word, label or term. Even though, I acknowledge that 'societies' are structured on 'normal allowances' - hence my comment about being as abnormal as possible. On the surface me saying I do not believe in normality would negate trying to be abnormal, ok, I have talked myself into a whole - stopping while I still can. *LOL*

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

That's the beauty of the questions... there are no criteria!

I personally think the only thing normal is stupidity and difference...

But that's just cynical :D

[f-l-i-r-t.livejournal.com]

Hmm... maybe cynical, but based on current constant life examples very aprappo, perhaps. *soft smile*

[huggscancer.livejournal.com]

nothings normal

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

:D

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

Something that projects a state that one is accustomed to.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Very concise :)

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

Well as I see it, if you're raised in Goa, Christian Indians are normal. If you're raised in the Aussie Outback, Aborigines are normal. If your closest friends are gay, even if you aren't, homosexuality is normal. If you've never been to The South in the United States, okra, grits and greens might not be normal. A lot of Marylanders like me think that boiling crabs is strange and that they should be steamed with cheap-ass beer. In Tennessee, corn on the cob is eaten with barbecue sauce.

It boils down to what one is accustomed to.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

That's the key.... It's what you're used to :)

[stardances.livejournal.com]

For me normal is a semblance of the routine I have become accustomed to; having a bed to sleep in where I feel safe, waking to have tea and greet the new day, reverently... spending the day productively, loving & being loved, having regular ability and occasion to dine. Some sense of being stable, balance.
Post Katrina things were very erratic, we had no home, possessions, community. Finding a new home was of the utmost import to me, in an effort to normalize a turbulent situation. The first thing I purchased for the new home was slippers for the entire family, some sense of comfort in a sea of instability.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

A complete upheaval...

Wow...

[mousie.livejournal.com]

After spending the past three days in a nursing home with my Dad.... I am questioning that very same thing..... lol

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[suburbiadaze.livejournal.com]

reply to remind me to read all answers to this.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Replying :)

[torisrabbit.livejournal.com]

i do not believe in normal.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

:D

[trixey.livejournal.com]

me

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Good answer!