Conversation Stereotyping

IND to DSM via ORD

DSM to IND via ORD

Stereotyping is bad.  Make no mistake about it.  When you stereotype, you judge someone and judging people is bad.  You form an opinion of someone based on how they look, the way the dress, what they are doing and many other things.  After you form this opinion, you put these people into mental boxes.   And they will never get out of his box because you likely will never talk to them to learn the truth.

When you spend as much time in an airport as I do, you see lots and lots of strangers.  Thousands of people I will never talk to or likely see again.  When I am walking on the moving sidewalks, I don't take the time to form an opinion.  I am to focused on getting to my gate.  I do form an opinion of the people riding the moving sidewalk but you should read an earlier post to understand that.  But once I arrive at my gate, I sit.  And it is here where I generally form an opinion of thousands of people, unfairly.  I keep these thoughts to myself and occasionally share them with you, my loyal readers.  I will admit that I do stereotype while passing through security but that's not to judge, that's for my own sanity.

When you are in an airport or on a plane, it is next to impossible not to overhear people's conversations.  I don't try to eaves drop but sometimes you hear people.  For instance, there was a woman sitting behind me yesterday from IND to ORD.  She turns to her colleague and says, "the last time I was in Chicago, I went the the Jerry Springer show".  When I was in college, I watched the Jerry Springer show a time or two.  I have a pretty good idea of the type of people who go watch Jerry Springer.  When I hear this woman say this, how do I not put her into that category of people that I am envisioning in my head?  I have no idea what she looks like, right or wrong, I have developed a mental picture.  As soon as we arrive and everyone stands, a quick glimpse back by me and yep, she was exactly who I thought she'd be.

The next time you are travel, think about what you wear, think about how you behave and think about what you say.  People will always judge you.  Just limit the material you give them to work with.