Last fall and early winter, in order to go grocery shopping, I had to drive around in one of those scooters that seem to only be used by elderly and/or obese shoppers. Having broken both of my legs in July, I was just out of my wheelchair and could barely walk. I couldn't use crutches at all though because my right arm was also broken. At this point I didn't have to wear any casts or braces either because of the metal they put in me. Therefore, on the outside I looked like a completely average young woman, but yet I couldn't walk more than a few feet. Riding around in one of those scooters as a healthy-looking 19-year-old got me a lot of stares. Just about everyone that looked at me assumed that I was just an unruly teen messing around, and maybe even mocking those that need to use them. Some people even laughed as they walked by, assuming I was making a joke. It was really an eye-opener to me to see how quickly people will judge others, throwing them into one broad category (such as rude teenagers), solely based on what they appear to be at first sight. It was already embarrassing to have to being using one of these, but people's reactions made it even worse. At one point, a scooter even ran out of battery life right in front of the pharmacy, and everyone behind the counter completely ignored me. I wasn't elderly or obese, so they decided there was no reason I shouldn't be able to walk. My mom found me, and asked the pharmacy for help, but they still hesitated, looking at me, before calling someone to bring a spare. The lady that brought the new one even looked at me confused, thinking it was a joke. The same day, a tiny old lady that must have been at least 95-years-old slowly pushed her cart by me with a scowl on her face. She seriously looked as if she was trying to condemn me for riding around while she walked. I quickly learned to at least always bring my cane when I went out, not for my own sake, but for other people to help them comprehend that I was actually really hurt, and needed to use the scooter.
Monday, June 11, 2012
(Chapter 4) Challenging Social Norms
I've always sort of enjoyed challenging social norms to see other people's reactions. I don't get embarrassed very easily, or decide not to do something because I'm worried what others might think. However, I recently found out that it's a lot different when you choose to disobey those norms, and when you have no choice. Challenging these norms on your own when you're with your friends can be fun and even exhilarating. When you are forced to do something not socially acceptable, however, it can be uncomfortable and/or embarrassing.
Last fall and early winter, in order to go grocery shopping, I had to drive around in one of those scooters that seem to only be used by elderly and/or obese shoppers. Having broken both of my legs in July, I was just out of my wheelchair and could barely walk. I couldn't use crutches at all though because my right arm was also broken. At this point I didn't have to wear any casts or braces either because of the metal they put in me. Therefore, on the outside I looked like a completely average young woman, but yet I couldn't walk more than a few feet. Riding around in one of those scooters as a healthy-looking 19-year-old got me a lot of stares. Just about everyone that looked at me assumed that I was just an unruly teen messing around, and maybe even mocking those that need to use them. Some people even laughed as they walked by, assuming I was making a joke. It was really an eye-opener to me to see how quickly people will judge others, throwing them into one broad category (such as rude teenagers), solely based on what they appear to be at first sight. It was already embarrassing to have to being using one of these, but people's reactions made it even worse. At one point, a scooter even ran out of battery life right in front of the pharmacy, and everyone behind the counter completely ignored me. I wasn't elderly or obese, so they decided there was no reason I shouldn't be able to walk. My mom found me, and asked the pharmacy for help, but they still hesitated, looking at me, before calling someone to bring a spare. The lady that brought the new one even looked at me confused, thinking it was a joke. The same day, a tiny old lady that must have been at least 95-years-old slowly pushed her cart by me with a scowl on her face. She seriously looked as if she was trying to condemn me for riding around while she walked. I quickly learned to at least always bring my cane when I went out, not for my own sake, but for other people to help them comprehend that I was actually really hurt, and needed to use the scooter.
Last fall and early winter, in order to go grocery shopping, I had to drive around in one of those scooters that seem to only be used by elderly and/or obese shoppers. Having broken both of my legs in July, I was just out of my wheelchair and could barely walk. I couldn't use crutches at all though because my right arm was also broken. At this point I didn't have to wear any casts or braces either because of the metal they put in me. Therefore, on the outside I looked like a completely average young woman, but yet I couldn't walk more than a few feet. Riding around in one of those scooters as a healthy-looking 19-year-old got me a lot of stares. Just about everyone that looked at me assumed that I was just an unruly teen messing around, and maybe even mocking those that need to use them. Some people even laughed as they walked by, assuming I was making a joke. It was really an eye-opener to me to see how quickly people will judge others, throwing them into one broad category (such as rude teenagers), solely based on what they appear to be at first sight. It was already embarrassing to have to being using one of these, but people's reactions made it even worse. At one point, a scooter even ran out of battery life right in front of the pharmacy, and everyone behind the counter completely ignored me. I wasn't elderly or obese, so they decided there was no reason I shouldn't be able to walk. My mom found me, and asked the pharmacy for help, but they still hesitated, looking at me, before calling someone to bring a spare. The lady that brought the new one even looked at me confused, thinking it was a joke. The same day, a tiny old lady that must have been at least 95-years-old slowly pushed her cart by me with a scowl on her face. She seriously looked as if she was trying to condemn me for riding around while she walked. I quickly learned to at least always bring my cane when I went out, not for my own sake, but for other people to help them comprehend that I was actually really hurt, and needed to use the scooter.
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Great example of how people tend to blame the individual rather than their situation. This theme comes up a LOT in this class...understandably.
ReplyDeleteIn psychology, this phenomenon of assigning blame to the individual (and assuming that's a personal flaw about themselves) rather than the context or situation or culture is called the fundamental attribution error. It's so ubiquitous that it's the FUNDAMENTAL error, you know?
I really think this tendency to employ the fundamental attribution error in our perception of others is a very American thing to do. We tend to focus on the individual rather than the societal at large so much.