Friday, February 22, 2008

People are people

The reason I started in the limousine game in the first place was to meet people.

Working at home, alone, was driving me slowly insane. In the absence of anything resembling a social life, taking an evening and weekend job was logical. Although I rant a little here, I'm glad of the experience. Doing something outside my comfort zone is good for my brain, creating new pathways or synapse links or whatever the heck happens up there.

People are the upside and the downside of life. People can make your day, and people can ruin your day (if you allow them). Driving has meant I have met people I would never have found before, and every new person gives a slightly different slant on life.

At one point I thought I was a good judge of character, but now I know different. In fact, I have stopped judging people altogether, given how past snap decisions have done them and me a disservice. Thesedays I simply watch, observe, look, question and remain neutral.

After a while, people will show you their true nature.

14 comments:

Girl said...

I hear something about books and covers...


People are fascinating to watch.

Iron Pugilist said...

I would say assuming one's character is like a defense mechanism. As long as we're open to know more about the person, I guess it's okay.

Iron Pugilist said...

I would say assuming one's character is like a defense mechanism. As long as we're open to know more about the person, I guess it's okay.

nitebyrd said...

You're right in being an observer, it's more interesting. The mask that most people wear is held on by loose elastic. Sooner or later it will slip without us having to go up close to snatch it off.

L.P. said...

"Thesedays I simply watch, observe, look, question and remain neutral."

but for how long do you remain impartial and an observer instead of a participant? Remaining neutral isn't condusive to having fun or really getting to know someone. Sure they may reveal flaws over time - who doesn't have them. But you'll only ever see the outer face, never the inner if you don't get your hands dirty.

That said... i've proven to myself i am a sucky judge of character. i believe anything. ~sigh~

Kat Wilder said...

It's very easy to judge another (not ourselves, however), but I like to remember that underneath it all, we're basically the same, with the same needs for love, safety, acceptance, etc. And then somewhere along the way, we started to see the world and react to it from the filter of our experiences, good and bad.

It makes you have empathy for others; that doesn't mean you have to like them, however.

The world would be a boring place if we were all the same, no?

skinny said...

i keep thinking about Depeche Mode.

Anonymous said...

I had this discussion with a couple of students of mine too... and 'luckily', they've had a series of life experiences that really did very little for them or their earlier shot at a young life.

I say 'luckily' because it's hard to sit back and judge people, given what you know about the places you've already been yourself! There but for the grace of *insert appropriate deity HERE* go I... and I live by that motto everyday - doing my utmost to hold to it and NOT commit myself to judging a person, on what I THINK I see.

People simply blow me away Wombat - I can sit and watch people all day... and I find it reassuring most times - and bloody scary some others. Still though, I've seen some horrendous things done by people - but they can be absolutely magic in the way they even these things out too... they still surprise me - every single day... so I'm lucky as buggery - I'm willing to bet there's no end of people out there who fail to be suprised at all - and that's a bloody sad thing!

It's been a while Wombat - I've returned to the land of the living - so I thought I'd best harrass you mate... hope all's well!

Cheers

;-)

savannah said...

can i just play fashion police for a minute, sugar? ;-)
(i know, on my own for only a day and i've gone over to the darkside)

L.P. said...

~le sigh~
missing wombaticus...

L.P. said...

"Thesedays I simply watch, observe, look, question and remain neutral."

~le sigh~
mum too, eh?
~bottom lip trembling~
miss wombie.

L.P. said...

>:(

The Exception said...

Ah, people. One of the things that intrigues me is that there are people who are more interested in other people's lives and thoughts and talking about those people than they are in sharing their own thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

I could care less what the latest Hollywood star is doing - but I am intrigued to know what the every day person is thinking and what he/she is experiencing!

Wombat said...

Yes they are, Girl. The couple in the pic were in town for a wedding, from Chicago.

Sure, IP, we risk only a little by engaging strangers don't we?

Yep, that's right, Nitebyrd. I like finding ways to see the real person behind the poorly attached mask.

True enough, LP. What I guess I mean is that being the "driver" allows one a certain distance from people, and I use that to my advantage.

Oh, so right, Kat. The world is interesting mostly because of our differences.

Really, Skinny? I guess I should get the connection.

Yay, Belongum, great to see you back. Busy on the home and work front?

No need to answer!

Savannah, are you about to unleash criticism of the capri-length culottes? She has nice ankles though, right?

Or is is his jacket that you don't like?

Or maybe the whole mess bugs you!


LP, you know I'm just borrowed-up.

That's me too Exceptional One! The man or woman on the street all have a story too.

Just like you and me.