Stereotypes have always been dangerous. Subconsciously or otherwise, we all apply them at some occasion in our lives.
For example, I was groggily walking to the kitchen early one Tuesday morning when I heard the vacuum cleaner roaring downstairs. Ah, I thought, the cleaning lady's here. I should meet her for once.
Why did I assume it would be a woman? It was a man! Bald, tattooed and showcasing a beautiful baritone voice (he likes to sing random opera lyrics at top volume as he cleans the bathroom).
I admit, I felt a bit dissapointed with myself for assuming it would be a woman. For months, I had said "the cleaning lady" to my housemates whenever we discussed the cleaning. So much for thinking I never applied stereotypes.
But are stereotypes inherently evil? A definition of stereotypes would be useful. According to one definition, stereotypes are "generalizations, or assumptions, that people make about the characteristics of all members of a group, based on an image (often wrong) about what people in that group are like" (http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/problem/stereoty.htm). So in my mind, a person who cleans for a living is automatically a woman.
I've heard many stereotypes. Asians are hardworking, Americans are friendly and stupid, Canadians are annoyingly polite, Germans eat too much, Swedish people are suidical. Some stereotypes are funny, some not.
In any case, I'd like to think that some stereotypes are, if not good, then at least useful to social interaction. If we never had any preconceived notion of a social, ethnic or religious group, would we honestly interact with them better? Would we really be more open to their mentality, culture and history? It's an experiment I'd like to attempt.
dimanche 18 septembre 2011
vendredi 9 septembre 2011
Life changing decisions
Yes, we all know about them. Unfortunately.
Those "life changing" decisions, which are supposed to guide you to the best career you ever might have.
Work has defined our generation. Although we are, comparatively, not as bad as the workaholic Baby boomers, we certainly have been sucked up in the never ending vaccum called work. We build our routine around work, placing family and friends in second place. One of the best ice breakers in a conversation is not "what's your passion?" but "what do you do for a living?"
Okay, maybe "what is our passion" is a bit over the top for normal conversations. But the fact remains that work has become a defining feature, a way to present ourselves to society.
I don't just want to moan. Work has been known to be good for human sanity, an antidote to boredom. "It's just a job" can be to many "it's the way for me to feel important".
So what can we conclude about work and our jobs? Important, yet over-valued? Essentiel, but ruling over our social life?
Those "life changing" decisions, which are supposed to guide you to the best career you ever might have.
Work has defined our generation. Although we are, comparatively, not as bad as the workaholic Baby boomers, we certainly have been sucked up in the never ending vaccum called work. We build our routine around work, placing family and friends in second place. One of the best ice breakers in a conversation is not "what's your passion?" but "what do you do for a living?"
Okay, maybe "what is our passion" is a bit over the top for normal conversations. But the fact remains that work has become a defining feature, a way to present ourselves to society.
I don't just want to moan. Work has been known to be good for human sanity, an antidote to boredom. "It's just a job" can be to many "it's the way for me to feel important".
So what can we conclude about work and our jobs? Important, yet over-valued? Essentiel, but ruling over our social life?
jeudi 1 septembre 2011
"I do"
I just went to one of my best friends' wedding. Picture small Ontario village, nestled by hills, an adorable white United church and the view of the lake. It was great.
The bride, as I expected, was beautiful. The groom, without a fault, was distinguished.
I've never been one who cries a lot, from either intense joy or pain. I remember watching the beloved film "The Titanic" with my cousin. When she burst into tears at the famous scene, I sniffed loudly and tried to look moved. It didn't work.
So I wasn't expecting to burst into tears and muddle my way through the ceremony. I was surprised.
When my friend walked down the aisle, I turned like everybody else and watched this beautiful red-head walk down in her satin dress. Without any warning of any kind, I suddenly had a surge of emotions rush from my gut to the bottom of my throat, or at least that's how it felt like. I wasn't sure if I was going to laugh, cry or vomit... or all three.
Thank God, I managed a feeble smile and everything went on fine.
Weddings, of course, are a major affair. A way of showing to the person you love the most in the world that you want to spend the rest of your life with him or her. They are also a rite of passage, a more fundamental way of revealing yourself as an adult, as an individual, as a bound being.
Many of my friends wouldn't think about getting married. Some have been disillusioned by the rates of divorce or horror stories, others find the matter too complicated and binding. On the other hand, other friends are ready to commit themselves for life.
When the couple exchanged vows, I was struck by the seriousness of the affair (not that it had escaped my notice before). To pledge, in front of your family, friends and the being you believe in, that you are prepared to stand by the other for ever is really the most anyone can pledge. An act of love, an act of courage, an act of blind hope, an act of beauty.
The bride, as I expected, was beautiful. The groom, without a fault, was distinguished.
I've never been one who cries a lot, from either intense joy or pain. I remember watching the beloved film "The Titanic" with my cousin. When she burst into tears at the famous scene, I sniffed loudly and tried to look moved. It didn't work.
So I wasn't expecting to burst into tears and muddle my way through the ceremony. I was surprised.
When my friend walked down the aisle, I turned like everybody else and watched this beautiful red-head walk down in her satin dress. Without any warning of any kind, I suddenly had a surge of emotions rush from my gut to the bottom of my throat, or at least that's how it felt like. I wasn't sure if I was going to laugh, cry or vomit... or all three.
Thank God, I managed a feeble smile and everything went on fine.
Weddings, of course, are a major affair. A way of showing to the person you love the most in the world that you want to spend the rest of your life with him or her. They are also a rite of passage, a more fundamental way of revealing yourself as an adult, as an individual, as a bound being.
Many of my friends wouldn't think about getting married. Some have been disillusioned by the rates of divorce or horror stories, others find the matter too complicated and binding. On the other hand, other friends are ready to commit themselves for life.
When the couple exchanged vows, I was struck by the seriousness of the affair (not that it had escaped my notice before). To pledge, in front of your family, friends and the being you believe in, that you are prepared to stand by the other for ever is really the most anyone can pledge. An act of love, an act of courage, an act of blind hope, an act of beauty.
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