Friday, January 10, 2014

The definition of normal differs from place to place.

Alyssah:  Momma, I met this guy and he's really weird.
Me:  What's weird about him?
Alyssah:  Well he's twenty three.  He doesn't drink or smoke but he goes out to dance; and, he's a virgin.  But, he's not crazy religious or anything.
Me:  Where's he from?
Alyssah:  Originally he's from the Chicago area but..
Me:  (smiling)
Alyssah:  What?
Me:  Think about it.  He's from the Chicago area.  They're lucky if they drive at that age.
Alyssah:  You're right.  Where he's from, he didn't drive or know anyone so there wasn't any reason to go out.  I guess it's not that weird.
Me:  It takes more than that to make a Chicago area boy weird. (smiles)
Alyssah:  (laughs) He actually pretty cool. (smiles)
Me:  Yeah?
Alyssah:  Yeah.

The definition of what is and isn't normal differs from place to place.  It can be behavioral, dietary, language - think colloquialisms (a danish is a sweet roll and a soda is pop is soda pop is a soft drink is a carbonated beverage), fashion, architecture, flora, and fauna -- to name a few.  Unless you familiarize yourself with the area you won't know what's considered normal.  It's worth noting that acceptable and normal are two entirely different things.  Normal sets a standard.  You never want to allow yourself to fall below acceptable on the normal scale.  It's far better to learn the influences of the area.  In this way, you can always improve yourself.  Falling above interesting on the normal scale places you into the exceptional.  It's an achievable goal you can strive toward.  

No comments:

Post a Comment