Do you stereotype people?

jeffrey · #1 01-30-2006, 01:19 AM

When you think of a profession, does a mental image of that person come to mind?

jeffrey · #2 01-30-2006, 01:24 AM

I know I'm guilty of it. When I think of an accountant, I think of a small person with black rim glasses and a pocket protector. Or a stewardess, blonde bimbo. And I get it all the time being a trucker. Thank you Hollywood!

Bastet · #3 01-30-2006, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffrey

I know I'm guilty of it. When I think of an accountant, I think of a small person with black rim glasses and a pocket protector. Or a stewardess, blonde bimbo. And I get it all the time being a trucker. Thank you Hollywood!

Ah, c'mon...we all know you get around in a singlet, shorts and a flannie!

Yeah, I admit, I'm guilty of it myself lol.

Nehustan · #4 01-30-2006, 04:34 AM

We live in a world/life we define so as to facilitate our journey through it, i.e. what time is it? where are we going to get there? Do you know the way to San Jose? The fact we do it concerning people, is unsuprising.

Bouncing Ball · #5 01-30-2006, 04:38 AM

I do it and am totally not ashamed of it. I think of it as a handy way to point out groups and avarages.

jeffrey · #6 01-30-2006, 04:42 AM

But sometimes there stereotypes are completely wrong. Is it fair to that person you are stereotyping, forming an opinion about someone that in most cases, is completely false?

Nehustan · #7 01-30-2006, 04:54 AM

Not really, they'll never know as I never tell them. I quite often have to remind people when they try and tell me that they're thinking I'm white trash, that they shouldn't apologise as they are right (and anything else is my business). I do however usually neglect to tell them what I think of them. Stereotypes are best kept secrect especially if they are true....

Bouncing Ball · #8 01-30-2006, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffrey

But sometimes there stereotypes are completely wrong. Is it fair to that person you are stereotyping, forming an opinion about someone that in most cases, is completely false?

Totally unfair. But as long as I don't know that person, my thought about him is more accurate then when I choose to think of him in a different way. Stereotyping only exist because it is close to the avarage of his kind. From the moment I know him personally, I shall treat him like the way I know him. Up untill then I asume he won't even know I am stereotyping him..

Nehustan · #9 01-30-2006, 05:38 AM

Very well put bouncing ball