How much effort do you put into being "normal"?

[The_Waspman]

I refrain from saying my opinions on possibly contentious matters before I know someone well enough to know that they either hold the same views or are able to tolerate mine. But that's not really acting normal so much as acting neutral, so meh.

Pretty much this. I have some pretty strong opinions, and if someone starts a conversation expressing a different opinion, I'm more often than not keep my mouth shut, just to avoid confrontation. Might just be about a particular game/book/film/whatever that they really like and I don't (Why - for example - does anyone like the film 300? Or Scarlett Johanssen? Or Harry Potter?) or it might be more serious, like those things you're not supposed to talk about at dinner parties.

 

[eggmiester]

Surprisingly, I put a massive amount of effort into cooling my jets when it comes to my quirky behavior. I don't act as giddy or over-the-top as I do when I'm with people I know, and I try to cut back on how much I say about games, films, anime, cartoons, comics, etc.

sadly, this leaves me with very little left to talk about, and thus I can't hold a conversation with someone about it. Which is kinda annoying for me, because there are a lot of people I would love to get to know, but I know I can't because I can't hold a conversation with them. 'sigh'

Also! the guy who started this thread: I talk to myself too. I clam up when I see someone else nearby, too. ANYONE. Although I tend to act out fantasies in my head, and i fell both embarrassed and defensive about them when someone see's me talking to myself.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Generally, the people that try and avoid being normal or hate normality are usually more annoying and somehow more boring than those who are normal.

I do try and be normal. By that I mean, I shower daily, don't speak in Klingon to my classmates, and consider stripping naked and dancing atop the lunchroom tables an unacceptable alternative to smiling.

On the other hand, I don't base my musical taste on anyone else's, I wear my hair the why I want, and I don't pay much attention to fashionable clothing. I don't mind if someone does, though, because that's who they want to be and more power to them.

Anyway, the people who actively try and avoid normality are annoying as hell. Most normal people are away they're normal. Most "abnormal" believe themselves to be special, despite being approximately as boring as everyone else. At least the normal ones don't have delusions of grandeur.

 

[DanDeFool]

For me, a big one is talking to myself. Not like a schizophrenic talks to themselves, like there's another person inside their head (though the association with mental illness seems to be why it's such a cultural taboo). Most of the time, I'm either trying to work through some problem in my head and talking myself through it, or I'm imagining myself in some type of social situation and rehearsing what I would say out loud. Sometimes, it's just muttering a song to myself while I'm running errands. I try to avoid doing it as much as possible, but sometimes I wonder if more people don't do it when they think nobody's looking.

Um, I'm pretty sure this isn't weird. Most people talk to themselves out loud when no one's around, it's a way of stopping yourself from feeling lonely for one thing. Having conversations with yourself is just a way to work through problems logically. Seriously, you think it's weird to sing to yourself? Relax, man!

Well, the problem is that sometimes I catch myself doing it in public. I think that is something to be more concerned about.

 

[Kakashi on crack]

None. When I was in middle school I was obsessed with trying to blend in, and be normal.

Now I couldn't give a rat's ass and will act how I want, when I want (within a reasonable limit to not get in trouble with my teachers/coworkers) and since I'm a wierd little shit, people can deal with it

 

[BakaSmurf]

None at all, rather unsurprisingly, people are down right terrified of me as a result.

I get an alarmingly wide berth whenever I walk down the street, and I like it that way.

 

[Adellebella]

A lot.

Between my Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, being a girl gamer, and left-handed, I'm already a weirdo. That's not even factoring in my personality which, if personified, would be a monochromatic fuzzy bunny.

I learned how to act normal by being really good at reading facial expressions and body language. I try to make others feel comfortable by making them feel good and laugh. I don't care if I'm dying - I'll try to make the doctors smile.

In otherwords, my speechcraft is max.

 

[DanDeFool]

How many wool you put on your sheep costume?

 

[Zhadramekel]

I have a few problems keeping my mind and emotions in check so putting effort into being normal for me basically consists of hiding that until I get home.

 

[GotMalkAvian]

I try to control my quirks to fit in professionally at my job, but that's about it. I don't try to hide my beliefs, interests, quirks, speech patterns, or anything else because I really have no desire to fit in with people who wouldn't be willing to accept me as I am.

 

[Patrick Buck]

I used to try to control my quirks a lot, but recently, i thought screw it, and it better off now. Screw changing to make others think you're "Normal". Being differant and weird is fun. =D

 

[Togs]

And by that I mean, how much effort do you put into covering up your little idiosyncrasies and personality quirks to fit in with your peers, not get funny looks at the grocery store, get along with your parents, etc.

Spoiler: My Example

For me, a big one is talking to myself. Not like a schizophrenic talks to themselves, like there's another person inside their head (though the association with mental illness seems to be why it's such a cultural taboo). Most of the time, I'm either trying to work through some problem in my head and talking myself through it, or I'm imagining myself in some type of social situation and rehearsing what I would say out loud. Sometimes, it's just muttering a song to myself while I'm running errands. I try to avoid doing it as much as possible, but sometimes I wonder if more people don't do it when they think nobody's looking.

Wow, that talking aloud thing is pretty much me.

OT: Absolutely no effort whatsoever. I actually try my best not to fit in. Who in their right mind would want to become one with the herd? Wouldn't you want to be your own, unique person?

Same here, worse thing is I almost never realise Im doing it.

And nope I dont try and fit in- I am who I am, people can take it or leave it.

 

[Nimcha]

Not much, in my opinion I'm already normal enough. Which means I'm really not that normal.

 

[Drenaje1]

Almost no effort is needed. Either I'm just naturally part of the background, or It's because I hardly say a word to any other people. Don't give me that look, if I feel that a response or an inquiry is necessary, it will be so. Otherwise, to use figurative terms, I'm a mute who hides in a bush and hisses at passerby.

 

[Creator002]

I shower. Seriously, if it weren't for the fact I have to go outside at some point, I don't think that I'd ever shower.

Otherwise, I don't care. I wear what I want and do what I want. If a conversation starts becoming boring as a post mentioned on the first page (this person does this...) I just walk away and do something less boring.

 

[McNinja]

None at all. It's isn't that I don't want to "be part of the herd" or anything like that. Me being me has worked out nicely for the past 20 years, so there isn't really any reason to attempt to conform.

 

[NoOne852]

I don't try at all. I just go by what I view is morally correct, usually meaning respecting others in general (for example I am not going to go to a mall and start juggling the merchandise. It's not mine so I have no reason to behave as such.). Yes, I've done some stupid things in public that I will never repeat, but I was still rather young at that time.

 

[NEREVAR117]

Eh. I adhere to certain social standards, if only so I'm not this spontaneous man who scares everyone away. Everyone does this to some degree. However, I'm mostly 'myself', especially around my friends. I'm perhaps a little too loud at times and I speak with a flair that leaves some people being put-off when we're talking.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

None, just relax and enjoy things as they come. And should anything bad come along the way, have a macabre sense of humor about it.

 

[Ytomyth]

No effort, I am who I am and I'm not going to surpress myself just because other people -might- think I'm weird. Better than being seen as 'normal' *shivers*
I do go out of my way trying not to insult people, but I'm finding more and more that that's not really an option. If someone wants to be offended by you you can be all the sweet and pleasantness you want, they'll still take offense.