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Interacting with Humanity

Jalál (Glory), 12 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, January 11, 2020

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30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS  (13+) WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus #1786069 by Fivesixer

PROMPT January 11th

Do you tend to be skeptical or trusting when meeting new people? Is your first impression of someone generally accurate, or does their true character surprise you?

Am I skeptical about people when I first meet them? Yes. No. Maybe. I know that is an ambiguous answer, which requires explanation. The answer depends on three things: (1) my gut (intuition) about the person, (2) who introduces me, and (3) where I meet them. There are certain things that raise red flags on my first encounter with a person. First, expressing prejudice about anyone. Second, presuming that if I look like them (same color of skin) I think the same way they do. Third, using the f-word or some other curse word in the first few sentences. Fourth, telling me I'm going to hell because I don't believe the way they do. Fifth, attempting to convince me I'm wrong without listening to why I believe the way I do.

Are my first impression of people generally accurate? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Most of the time, I'm willing to give the person a second chance. The second change depends on my intuition, where we meet again, and who is with me or the other person. If a red flag is raised on the first encounter, the second encounter has to be in a place that I feel safe meeting them again. While there are some people who believe the three strikes you're out theory, I'm not one of them. As far as I'm concerned, three strikes only counts in a baseball game. Interacting with reals human beings is more like a Dungeons and Dragons game, especially under the present social and political condition.