One of Those People
I am not a person who gets easily offended. I always fall in the middle ground on these types of things, especially where political correctness is involved.
Is it good to be more aware? More sensitive? Kinder? More loving?
Sure. Of course it is.
Do we have to get offended and upset over every little thing, and take everything personally? Isn't everyone tired of feeling offended by now?
But I'll admit that yesterday, someone said, "Oh geez, you're one of those people!" and I actually did get a little bit offended.
The context was that we were equally disappointed with the cookies from a popular local soda/treat place. I shared my Yelp review, and received the above response.
I am one of those people who
- loves food and restaurants
- enjoys writing
- gives credit where it's due
- gives suggestions when they're needed
- believes customers should have access to honest and balanced reviews
So yeah, I guess I'm "one of those people." I review almost every place I visit and always try to be as positive and fair as I can be. Positive reviews help businesses.
I am one of those people who doesn't [think masks are necessary] or helpful in preventing Corona (but will wear one when asked or required). I guess I'm "one of those people." A good friend recently reposted an image that implied that people who don't wear masks are:
- not educated
- part of the problem
- not a contributing adult in society
- egocentric (the world revolves around them and their comfort)
- not mindful of other people
- inconsiderate
I can definitively say that even though I don't wear a mask in public, none of those implications applies to me. I am educated, do what I can to isolate/keep distance/wash my hands, contribute a lot to society, and am overly considerate. And I can definitively say that when people are wearing masks, I don't look at them as living in fear or like the government is controlling them. I think people should do what makes them feel safe and happy with their choices.
Ironically, this post says, "If we could live with other people's consideration in mind, this whole world would be a much better place." But this post itself contains toxic implications, not considering at all how it would make others feel.
And because I'm "one of those people" who reads and follows the World Health Organization, someone on Facebook insinuated that I am "one of those Q people." I know a couple of "those [Q people]." I happen to like, love, and care deeply about some of "those Q people."
I am "one of those people" who
- Works out 5-6 days per week
- Finds exercise to be a stress reliever
- Posts inspirational or thoughtful quotes regularly
- Meditates and breathes daily
- Makes her own tooth powder
- Makes her own laundry detergent
- Creates hourly itineraries for trips
- Organizes her clothes by color
- Collects coupons and loves deals
I think this statement, "one of those people," can be more divisive than helpful and more sarcastic than productive. I think it's harmful in that it is incredibly dismissive. "Oh, you're one of those people," puts someone in a stereotyped group and then dismisses everything good about them (at worst) or assumes something negative about them (at best).
Like, because you are "one of those people" who follows Q Anon, you must not be very smart, or you're a little crazy.
Or because you are "one of those people" who uses essential oils, you must not go to the regular doctor.
Or because you are "one of those people" who goes to High Fitness or enjoys lifting weights, you must not like to read books.
Or because you are "one of those people" who eats a salad at lunch, you must not like donuts.
Or because you are "one of those people" who doesn't skip a toilet stall, you must be generally clueless. (This is one I'm guilty of.)
I get that our brains like to compartmentalize. That's how we make sense of things. We categorize them together. But we need to be so careful about that when it comes to people. Everyone has different things to offer, and doing or enjoying one thing doesn't bar someone from being a certain way.
I just think we can all do a little better, and try to see individuals as a whole and complex person instead of as "one of those people."
Is it good to be more aware? More sensitive? Kinder? More loving?
Sure. Of course it is.
Do we have to get offended and upset over every little thing, and take everything personally? Isn't everyone tired of feeling offended by now?
But I'll admit that yesterday, someone said, "Oh geez, you're one of those people!" and I actually did get a little bit offended.
The context was that we were equally disappointed with the cookies from a popular local soda/treat place. I shared my Yelp review, and received the above response.
I am one of those people who
- loves food and restaurants
- enjoys writing
- gives credit where it's due
- gives suggestions when they're needed
- believes customers should have access to honest and balanced reviews
So yeah, I guess I'm "one of those people." I review almost every place I visit and always try to be as positive and fair as I can be. Positive reviews help businesses.
I am one of those people who doesn't [think masks are necessary] or helpful in preventing Corona (but will wear one when asked or required). I guess I'm "one of those people." A good friend recently reposted an image that implied that people who don't wear masks are:
- not educated
- part of the problem
- not a contributing adult in society
- egocentric (the world revolves around them and their comfort)
- not mindful of other people
- inconsiderate
I can definitively say that even though I don't wear a mask in public, none of those implications applies to me. I am educated, do what I can to isolate/keep distance/wash my hands, contribute a lot to society, and am overly considerate. And I can definitively say that when people are wearing masks, I don't look at them as living in fear or like the government is controlling them. I think people should do what makes them feel safe and happy with their choices.
Ironically, this post says, "If we could live with other people's consideration in mind, this whole world would be a much better place." But this post itself contains toxic implications, not considering at all how it would make others feel.
And because I'm "one of those people" who reads and follows the World Health Organization, someone on Facebook insinuated that I am "one of those Q people." I know a couple of "those [Q people]." I happen to like, love, and care deeply about some of "those Q people."
I am "one of those people" who
- Works out 5-6 days per week
- Finds exercise to be a stress reliever
- Posts inspirational or thoughtful quotes regularly
- Meditates and breathes daily
- Makes her own tooth powder
- Makes her own laundry detergent
- Creates hourly itineraries for trips
- Organizes her clothes by color
- Collects coupons and loves deals
I think this statement, "one of those people," can be more divisive than helpful and more sarcastic than productive. I think it's harmful in that it is incredibly dismissive. "Oh, you're one of those people," puts someone in a stereotyped group and then dismisses everything good about them (at worst) or assumes something negative about them (at best).
Like, because you are "one of those people" who follows Q Anon, you must not be very smart, or you're a little crazy.
Or because you are "one of those people" who uses essential oils, you must not go to the regular doctor.
Or because you are "one of those people" who goes to High Fitness or enjoys lifting weights, you must not like to read books.
Or because you are "one of those people" who eats a salad at lunch, you must not like donuts.
Or because you are "one of those people" who doesn't skip a toilet stall, you must be generally clueless. (This is one I'm guilty of.)
I get that our brains like to compartmentalize. That's how we make sense of things. We categorize them together. But we need to be so careful about that when it comes to people. Everyone has different things to offer, and doing or enjoying one thing doesn't bar someone from being a certain way.
I just think we can all do a little better, and try to see individuals as a whole and complex person instead of as "one of those people."
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