I'm a friendly, outgoing person and I try to help others when I can. But I've noticed in the last several years that other people seem to throw up an invisible wall as soon as you approach them. Like waiting in line at the grocery checkout or in a doctor's office, I'll try to start a friendly conversation with another person and I just get cold stares - you can actually almost see the wall going up or they look nervously around - anywhere but at me. The other week I was sitting out in my backyard and the new people next door were outside and I hard them mention that if they only had a rake, they could do some yard work. I immediately jumped up and offered to loan them my rake. They just gaped open-mouthed at me like I had 2 noses and one eye between them. It didn't seem like this even 10 or 15 years ago. So why are people acting like this now?
2007-07-30 05:56:33 · 6 answers · asked by debodun 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I don't know - why are you asking, what's your motive??
Just kidding, people are mistrusting for many reasons. Sometimes the most innocent looking person can be a threat. Don't take it personally, just be yourself.
2007-07-30 06:00:07 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Pamela ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I experience the same thing! However, I also get judged further in the process. I am a completely out lesbian, and I have an "unconservative" style - short hair, I wear baggy pants, I have piercings and just basically dress the way that is very comfortable for me.. and I get those dirty looks just by walking down the street.. it makes me want to be kind and polite even more when I receive those looks b/c i want people to see that I'm a good person, and hopefully change their opinion of me. But I constantly get dirty looks, dropped-jaws, etc. just for trying to be polite or start up a friendly conversation.. it's so disheartening. Good luck and stay happy, so many people appreciate it without you even knowing!!
2007-07-30 06:03:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you happen to live in the city? If not, you may just be in a paranoid town. Some towns are full of people who are really edgy because most of the population may have seen more violence than they would have liked. Just keep on smiling, even if they don't. People are different all around, so you never know when you might one day come across someone who smiles back.
Personally, I put up walls to some folks because I've been hurt before. Maybe that's why some of your folks are putting up walls. The wounded animal is always on best defense.
2007-07-30 06:02:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lately everyone seems to be looking out for Number 1 and to hell with everyone else. You are doing a great thing by being so nice and giving towards others. Maybe you will prove to some people that there is still goodness left in this world.
2007-07-30 06:00:39 · answer #4 · answered by BAnne 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think because attitudes have worsened. I am a Bible reader, and I believe that we're living in the times described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. You are so right about how it wasn't this bad even 10-15 years ago.
2007-07-30 06:04:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Over-crowding and different groups forced to have contact with one another...read about experiments with over-crowded rats...
A famous experiment in the 1960s found that when too many rats are forced to live in a cage of a given size they soon display abnormal behaviour including hyper-aggression, failure to nurture young normally, increased mortality, abnormal sexual patterns and infant cannibalism.
2007-07-30 06:06:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋