Quote: Originally Posted by
saycrackagain /img/forum/go_quote.gif
When I see someone dressed differently (except full-on presenting a gender), I am always worried that I'm being watched and judged by that person to see how well I prove my acceptance! In reality I usually don't feel like saying anything because it's all just average to me, but then I feel pressured to say something so I don't seem secretly judging. (As in, sometimes I'm just tired or in a bad mood or just don't care about it, period, and am worried the person is so focused on if I'm being accepting that it is taken the wrong way, so I force myself to compliment.) I feel this way because so often I have seen people get on someone's case for supposedly being horrible and judging when the person did nothing of the sort and the accuser was just super focused on whatever controversial issue (usually LGBTQ rights) and looking for something to take offense to. So if I saw your nails, I might even stare at them for a minute thinking about your cuticle maintenance or just be mesmerized by the colors, and not say anything, but it doesn't mean a darn thing. Or I might sigh and look to the side, and that still doesn't mean anything. Or I might force a grin and say, "I like that shade of blue," which is really just self-defense.
@Paulie, consider yourself lucky. Some people have very abusive parents.
Whenever I go out with an alternative look with nail polish or what not, my philosophy has always been to just be positive and outgoing. When people ask me if I have awkward moments from reactions, I often say they're only as awkward as I allow them to be. I know that people may look, but I also assume that anyone's attention (including mine) may gravitate toward anyone who has a unique look of any kind, so I really try not to be too sensitive on things. I know that sometimes I'll glance at someone and think they have a really interesting style, but also wonder if they think my reaction is the opposite. With this said, I guess you could say that I try to give people the benefit of the doubt on the positive side (as opposed to the negative). I've known a couple people who can be really abrasive (probably like you've mentioned), and I believe it's not good for anyone's well-being. I just smile and be courteous to people, and I really encounter very few people looking for problems. Anyway, those are just own my experiences in this area
/emoticons/
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