Judging a book by its cover

I had something interesting happen last week. One of my friends at uni, K, mentioned to a couple of the guys in our class who we walk back to the station with and sit next to, that I got published recently. Of course, given we are doing a writing course, they enquired about where I had been published and I mentioned how I wrote for Go Camping Australia. At this, one of the guys laughed and said something like ‘I don’t think you’ve ever been camping a day in your life.’ Of course, I defended that comment {and you readers will know just how much I have been camping and hiking particularly in the last 12 months}

But it got me thinking. He, and others at uni, see me twice a week dressed up in work clothes — usually a skirt or a dress with heels. And I guess they probably make assumptions that I’m some sort of princess. That I would hate to get dirty and wouldn’t survive out in the bush. Given that I am a nerd as well, they probably think I am introverted as well. I did manage to convince him that I do love hiking and camping and that I am off to Tasmania was a 7 day hike on the Overland Track in December. And that my friends, is no easy feat! In a funny way, when one of my hiking friends saw me last year in a social setting after work, she said something along the lines of ‘Oh! You dress up!’. She had only seen me in my hiking gear until then.

We are quick to judge people based on a few things we notice and fail to realise that it is maybe just one part of them. This is especially so when we see people only in a certain context. We all have our different ‘selves’ if you must, and sometimes, it is only a few people who see all these ‘selves’ at the same time. I am genuine almost all the time and what you see is what you get. But, I am also multi-dimensional {like most of us} and therefore, while you might see me in one context all the time and just think I am that way, it is not really the case.

I love to read. I love to write. I love my me-time but I also love being in social groups. I love to hike and camp. I enjoy the beach. I am neurotic but I am also okay with it. I can be professional and I swear like a trooper. I can be serious and I can be silly. I can dress up and I can dag down. I can be shitting myself when it comes to some public speaking event and yet, I can bullshit my way through another. I can smile at the world but can be hurting inside at the same time. Yes, like everyone else, I cannot be judged by my cover.

To truly know someone, we need to communicate. To be open. And vulnerable. Judging them by their cover only proves to be a barrier to this communication.

When was the last time someone made a wrong assumption of you? Or you did of someone else?

Do share!

photo credit: kevin dooley via photopin cc

Until next time,

Cheers!!!