Personal Perceptions vs. Reality

[bluntforcemama]

I'm aware that most of us see ourselves much differently than people outside of our most intimate relationships. I know that I think of myself as an intelligent, kind person with a heart of gold and an empathetic disposition, but I know that I have a mask of bitchiness and stupidity. So how do you see yourself, and how do you think others see you?

 

[KillerMuffin]

W.E.B. Dubois introduced a concept of double identity, which is how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us, particularly based on appearance.

Face it, perception clouds everything. If a filthy, bedraggled, unkempt person wearing rags came up to you and said, "hi," what would you do? Think? Reject from the local dinner theatre or homeless bum looking to panhandle? We always think the worst and treat people based on what they look like.

It's why Dillards personnel still clean out the dressing room prior to a minority person or a badly dressed person using it.

 

[bluntforcemama]

Oh I hate that! When I was younger, the clerks would follow me around, because ALL young people are shoplifters.

But I do like to get to know people, I believe in second chances and looking beyond exteriors. So come one, come all, tell us what you REALLY are, who you REALLY are, etc. Tell us all the goodies. We won't tell a soul.

 

[sexy-girl]

my perception of myself is based on how i see myself and how lisa see's me ... she knows me better then i know myself anyway so i listen to her


im kind and thoughtful ... i have an outer shell of stupidity but deeper down theres an unusual insightful intelligence (lisas words) ... i always stick up for the underdog (ive done that abit since being here) ... im very niave (lisas words again) ... and i like to think i can find something good about everyone i meet

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

"I see myself as Plato, but the rest of the world sees me as Bluto."
Not actually said by Jessie Ventura, but it should have been.

 

[Guest]

A friend sent me a quote after I spent an hour trying to justify to myself that even though I felt a certain way, my husband would never truly understand my position.
It makes sense.

"Because you are a unique individual, your perceptions are unique. No matter how much you think you are like another person, the meanings you assign to what takes place in your life are yours alone." -Author unknown

 

[Bob Peale]

Actually, I think I'm much more severe than other people do. I'm very hard on myself naturally, and I am constantly stiving to improve.

Others see me as laid back and easygoing, where everything seems to fall my way.

I often wonder what the weather is like on their planet...

 

[Laurel]

I have no idea how other people see me. Is that weird?

 

[April]

No, Laurel, it's not weird at all.

I don't have a clue, really. My own perception of myself changes from day to day, depending on what I'm doing.

 

[Laurel]

Whew! I was afraid I was weird again...thanks April.

 

[April]

Well, if you are weird, you're not the only one.

 

[Mischka]

Well, if you are weird, you're not the only one.

But if she is weird, but is not weird for not knowing that she is perceived as weird, then does that cancel out and make her un-weird?

 

[April]

But who said she was perceived as weird?

 

[Laurel]

But if she is weird, but is not weird for not knowing that she is perceived as weird, then does that cancel out and make her un-weird?

Ouch! I think my brain overheated trying to reason that one out...Diet Coke, that's what I need...

 

[Mischka]

But who said she was perceived as weird?

Simply a hypothetical. Any claims or connections to reality are purely coincidence.

 

[SimplySouthern]

ME AGAINST THE WORLD!!

I think people either go to one extreme or the other.... think much more of themselves than the rest of the world or they trash themselves.

For example, just taking the general population here as an example, there are some people here (for the sake of not starting a flame thread from Myst's serious thread I won't name names) who think they are the bee's knees, the cat's meow, all that and a bag of chips, well, you get my point. Most of those people, I wouldn't give you 10 cents for all of their so-called "wisdom". On the other hand, there are people here everyday who I think are simply wonderful. People who make me laugh, cry and think about what they've said.....and these people regularly "trash" themselves on a daily basis.


As far as Myst's question goes...I think I value myself as an intelligent person. Not that my logic, on the rare occassion, does not have its flaws. I also know that I am as stubborn a person as they come. I think I am fair and generally kind to all people. Oh yeah, that and I am a supermodel. I mean Pam Lee has nothing on me. Whew...it's almost smoldering to be in the same room with me. (alright, I made those last few lines up....did I mention my humor, wit and modesty?)

How do people see me? Well, the general reaction of people who don't know me well is that I am a bubbleheaded bimbo.

I smile alot, laugh alot and am generally just a fun loving person. At first, people tend to think I am the stereotypical "dumb blonde". I am also a bigtime flirt, so they also tend to assume that I am an "easy blonde".

Neither is true of course. I swear!

 

[April]

Simply a hypothetical. Any claims or connections to reality are purely coincidence.

Should I have put one of those smiley faces there? Not sure. Anyway, my logic quit right there. I never did learn analytical thinking and was never any good at logic games.

Reality? What is that? Wait. Is that what I'm avoiding by being here?

 

[Desert Amazon]

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

People who know me offline think of me as a quiet passive sort of person (except when I ride my bike), people who know me online think of me as talkative and pedantic.

I can be quiet and passive until pushed too far (you have to push really far) and I don't think of myself as pedantic - just willing to discuss interesting topics at length and back up my views with facts.

STG

 

[bluntforcemama]

Re: Re: Personal Perceptions vs. Reality

I see myself as mean and bitchy, at times a dichotomic (it may not be a word, sue me) delusion of sorts that no one else seem to see.

pffffft. I know how I perceive you, and that ain't even close to what you think of yourself. I won't say it out loud, though. God forbid people find out you're one of the nicest, sweetest, most caring people in the whole world! Sheesh, the humanity!

 

[Svedish_Chef]

Re: ME AGAINST THE WORLD!!

As far as Myst's question goes...I think I value myself as an intelligent person. Not that my logic, on the rare occassion, does not have its flaws. I also know that I am as stubborn a person as they come. I think I am fair and generally kind to all people. Oh yeah, that and I am a supermodel. Whew...it's almost smoldering to be in the same room with me.

Thats what I think of you...

Now do me

 

[luv2tvl69]

Personal Perception:

Outgoing, sociable, good natured, loyal, faithful, kind, horny, flirty, sensitive, caring, giving, forward, impatient, anal retentive, witty (sometimes), cynical, opinionated.

I think most people see me the same way. I am sure however they also see me as too forward, weird, too opinionated, and way too horny

 

[beckbabe]

The singular trait that stands out to me about myself is that I'm strong. Everything else is in a gray area. . . I'm smart, yet mixed up. . . I'm loving and caring yet bitchy and defensive. . . I'm empathetic, to a fault (as my friend told me). OK enough Amelia Bedelia.

I think people see me as flaky. In fact I know they do because they've told me. I think "flakiness" may be a defense mechanism. People always underestimate my strength, probably because I have an odd ability to stay on the line until the last minute without getting reeled in. I've been writing about myself for 20 minutes, perhaps I should have said ego maniacal

 

[crystalhunting]

Didn't we have this conversation one day Myst?





CH

 

[bluntforcemama]

CH

I don't know, maybe. I can't remember. Does it matter?