The Difference Between Instincts And Stereotyping
November 23, 2011 by Deborah Calla
Filed under Blog

Photo by Angie Rubin
I have just returned from Brazil where I was working for the last few weeks.
As it was a job, I flew business class and was privy to an interesting conversation when we finally landed. A group of people – dressed simply and in shorts – were dismayed how others during the flight had asked them what they were doing in business class. The question came as a result of this particular group not looking the part of what we imagine a successful group must look like.
In our pre-conceived minds someone who sits in that aircraft class must look and be a certain way. This group didn’t.
The conversation got me thinking how many times we judge others based on societal concepts. When we stereotype we put others in a box and miss opportunities to learn and relate in different ways. It is as if we are compelled to assign labels for easy processing. Unfortunately the results are often erroneous.