How do I deal with them?

Question

Since my earliest days, I have been a weird loner. I was a weird loner when I was born, a weird loner in school, and a weird loner out of school. I have obscure interests and most other people piss me off or tire me out quickly. I spend plenty of time with other people, but I'm just not a people person.

People think it's because I'm homeschooled. It's not.

I don't like my entire system being judged by my own personality. I'm not a bubbly girly girl, I think pop music is sh*t and I read Anna Karenina because I want to.

I have nothing against school kids in general, just the ones that won't get off my back. They like taunting me.
"Hey, how are the lunches in HOME school?"
"Is your teacher hot? Interested in a little company?"
"Hey, genius, factor this. 2x+x^2+2."
"Do you ever go outside?"

I ignore them to the best of my ability, and what they're saying doesn't really bug me. The best answer is none at all, and all that. It's annoying, though. How can I make them go away?

It's only bothering me because it's degrading my academic performance. I can't take notes because they're all whispering in my ear or taking my pencils, and before and after class they all get around me in a pack and harrass me. I'd say I'm the socialized one in that respect.

One of the kids who was giving me crap was a Middle Eastern type. After he made a big deal about the fact that I don't know much about the Mesopotamians, I told him that perhaps one day, in a charming twist of stereotype, I'd drive his cab. Was that line any good?

Answer 1

Gee, sounds like your caught in public school.
Don't know what the social elements are that create this kind of neandrethal reaction to those that are not stereotypical but can tell you I endured it. My kids now endure it thought it seems more pervasive today in public school.
And, just for the record, you don't sound weird, but you sound like an introvert. I can relate becuase I am as well. Introverts need time away from other people to recharge mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
I can relate to your experience. I did my best to tune it out and it irritated me too. But, sadly, these kind of people will always exist and it seems always working in a "pack mentality". Simply put, together they encourage each other to be rude, annoying and obnoxious. Alone their power is diminished. I learned to chalk it up to their poor self-esteem and the fact that they are threatened by people that are complex (which you seem to be). Lack of maturity is also a factor.
You'll be ok, even though these people won't go away because it sounds like you are a strong spirit who is well ahead of her peers in defining her beleifs, ideas and generally who you are as a person.
Remeber this gf, Einstein, Sophocles, Aristotle and a multitude of other incredible individuals had obscure interests. In, my opinion, that's something to celebrate.
Hang in there. One day it will be behind you.

Answer 2

This is assuming that you went from home school to public school.
I was home schooled for about 1.5 years, (until about halfway through 6th grade) and I spent the staggering amount of freetime that I had wearing down on my Mom's nerves to let me go to public school (I had gone to a private school before homeschool.). I still can't figure out if I regret doing that or not... Anyway, I go to a small "1-A" school in the dark side of Texas. But, no matter the size of your school, there are always those little creeping influences of racism, jealousy, etc. The first year of going to a school is like a cycle. First is the "Everybody wants to know about new person", then there is the stage where everybody wants to pick on you. I went through that, but I ignore stuff like that easily. (I don't really care what people think about me, just what I think. lol) So, witty responses are one way to throw them back on their heels, sure, but then you can also wait out the storm. After a while, they forget about you because you've had time to mold into the school's environment. Then, some newer kid comes along, taking your place and they forget about you. It happened to me. But the best thing you can do, is make friends, not just one group of friends, but with all of the different groups of people so that people get to know that you aren't just some "weird" person from home school. If anything, the only disadvantage to home school is that you don't have much time to develop your social abilities. Otherwise, you can get your work done by like 12:00 in the morning and play the rest of the day. lol, and good lunches that aren't made from soybeans...lol, not really, but still, cafeteria food is disgusting... When they tease you, just ignore them, don't even look at them, most of the time they will leave you alone. And please don't resort to attacking them like I might think about doing.. lol, anyway, the next time that you get "fried chicken" at the cafeteria, remember that they aren't allowed to actually fry food.

If none of that works, just give them a reason to stop. (I don't mean a knife or something) or if nothing else a teacher. lol, they always tell you to come to them if something like that happens, but when you get to them they don't even care. Anyway, good luck to you and remember that bullies are intimidatable (scarable...is that a word?) I hope this helped, but I felt like I was rambling after a while...

Answer 3

THey won't ever quit. Sometimes even your best freinds or the sweetest person you know will throw a dirty line at ya' the way I've delt with it is throw sh*t right back at 'em. Either play along with it, oh ya us homeschoolers don't know anything, or say something about the public schools, atleast I get real food for lunch, or whatever. They won't leave you alone, just kinda' throw it back, it makes it alot more light hearted and if they see it doesn't bother youthey will back off a little. From someone who used to have the same problem.

Answer 4

You most likely will not get them away. Now this is a last resort you could say something like "Just because I'm smarter then you doesn't mean that you should feel bad you are still maintaining a F average!" and then run home(or wherever). Well I would suggest just sucking it up it will help when you get a job. Not everybody will be nice to you. So it will turn out right in the end. Just keep persevering! You go girl!

Answer 5

The only sure way to get rid of enemies is to make them your friends. The same way bullies pick out an "easy target" to harass, see if you can spot an "easy target" to turn around and befriend. Usually there are one or two people in the bunch who are not really hateful but just going along with the crowd; and likewise, once you develop one or two real allies, you can turn the tide and win this war. For example, perhaps the Middle Eastern guy has been picked on, and is projecting onto you; so if you can focus on your common situation, you might develop mutual respect, since you've both been there. If he has knowledge of Middle Eastern conflicts, why not ask him to explain to you his understanding or opinion of what's going on over there. I agree that using humor can help to break the ice, and could open up real discussion on common experiences.

I would also look for the one good focus in "each person" that you can relate to, in order to redirect attention from the bad. If you ask and show genuine interest in someone's special talent or hobby or gift, you would be amazed how people may respond or open up to you, but it has to be sincere or it won't work. I would totally shift focus away from pointless jabs and try to build on points of substance. Again, humor used correctly can help to shift the focus. Or also just talking straightforward with someone, aside from the peer politics.

So I would challenge you to look for openings, to examine the real makeup of the bricks in the wall, instead of seeing it as one huge insurmountable obstacle. You will find a way to dismantle this barrier, one brick at a time, and may discover new things about yourself in the process. Good luck!

P.S. If all else fails, just focus on your best talents and strengths and find enjoyment in that. Sometimes the weirdest things (like in my case finding out I could dance well, or had a rebellious sense of humor) can change people's perspectives about you, which is their problem not yours. If you have a particular interest that you would like to pursue more, can you talk with a counselor to see if there is a student club, or if you could start one? Again, if you can even find one common interest you share with someone, you can start building a base of friends and work from there. The people I know who have the most loyal friends, built that respect by being good listeners, valuing each person and making everyone else feel important and special.

Answer 6

Who are you in class with if you're homeschooled? I'm not sure i understand what's going on in your life. Maybe instead of focusing on your 'weirdness', you should try to find one or two people who are interested in your 'obscure interests'. I doubt you are the only one in the entire world who's interested.

And stop the bigotry, that certainly won't earn you friendship points and will not get anyone off your back. Just joke back with them, enough to let them know that you can stand up for yourself, but not so much that you're offending people.

Answer 7

No that isn't a great one-liner because he is Assyrian, a decedent of the Mesopotamians. Middle Easterners are not all the same, the "cab drivers" you refer to are not Assyrian but probably Persian. If people are making fun of you, trying to make fun of them right back will not solve the problem. You need to believe in yourself and ignore those that annoy you.

Answer 8

Think up funny retorts.

"Hey, how are the lunches in HOME school?"
Answer: Absolutely delicious. If only you knew...

"Hey, genius, factor this. 2x+x^2+2."
Answer: 34.65557.

"Do you ever go outside?"
No, What's it like?

If you tease them back you'll have FUN with it!

Answer 9

You can't make them go away. Realize that this is temporary and that you're working toward real goals.

People who are wistful for teen years really have forgotten what it was like to be one. It wasn't fun.