I was introduced to Morgan’s blog by her fiance whom was an early follower of mine. I was enjoying Matt’s blog so much I guess his Significant Other’s articles should be interesting as well, to my delight, her posts are as entertaining and informative, uniquely her very own. When I received email notifications of this recent post of her, I couldn’t stop reading and smiling at the same time. I enjoyed her post tremendously and hope that by sharing this with you, you get to appreciate her witty writings too.
“And if you insist on continuing to make assumptions about my character, I’ll advise you only this: assume you will always be wrong.”
― Tahereh Mafi
Many people make assumptions all the time, and it’s crap. We’re taught early in our lives “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”, yet so many people take no notice. Your age, your hair colour, your gender, your race, your home town, your choice of clothing, your favorite colour… None of that should matter. If you’re into pink dresses and Harry Potter pyjamas, fine. If you enjoy romantic comedies and Star Wars, fine. If you like both books and movies, fine. You like new music, classical music and country music, fine. It’s absolutely nobody’s business, and nobody should make the assumption that just because you like this you’re unable to like that. I’m a very emotional person, and when people presume things about me, it really does hurt my feelings.
Today at work, somebody was making absolutely ridiculous assumptions that anybody who plays the Sims (the super addictive, super fun simulation game), is the type of person who “uses Internet Explorer” and is the type of person who “wouldn’t know how to install a different browser”. They may not seem offensive, but they’re regularly used as a derogative meme in computing, and to openly assume a fan of a particular game has little computing knowledge is stupid and completely immature.
The day before this I was chatting to a colleague about a game I was currently playing at home, which was Spyro the Dragon, my lovely attempt to throwback to my awesome childhood. An hour or so later, he made a belittling comment to someone else “wow, I can’t believe she would like this game. She plays Spyro” as if my current nostalgic game play has absolutely anything to do with my regular choice of game… Again, it makes absolutely no difference and people shouldn’t make such obscure assumptions.
On Tuesday I went to a graduate fair, hoping to speak to some companies about graduate software development jobs next year. Instead, I was completely ignored by all the male representatives as they spoke happily to the guys I attended the event with. The only representative who spoke to me was a lady who questioned whether or not I was finding it hard being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
I’ve had this my entire life and it’s not getting any easier to deal with. I have a huge variety of hobbies, and people seem to be confused on how I can like Doctor Who and pretty dresses and nerdy t-shirts and games and lipstick all at the same time. Then, tiny, 5’3″, girly, geeky Morgan decides to head down the brilliant path of computer science, and the assumptions continue. “Girls can’t code” – shut your sexist mouth, and leave.
My point is, when you make assumptions about people especially to their face, chances are you are going to hurt their feelings.
-Morgan
So if you have wrote any articles that you think should highlight to me (I always read all my followers’ articles), please drop me a comment below.
I enjoyed Morgan’s rant. I, too, hate having assumptions made… I recall when my sons were young (7&9) I overheard the older one say severely to his younger sibling “False assumptions lead to false conclusions, Adam!). It’s true–they usually do. I used to have a teeshirt that simply said: Assume Nothing.
Cheers
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Love that slogan on the t-shirt! Morgan will be pleased that you have enjoyed her article!!
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Great personal story and point. One shouldn’t judge; but analyze.
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Thank you!!! And welcome to MiddleMe! Morgan will be pleased on your comment.
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Great post. My father always had a quote for those who assume. “Those who assume make an ass out of you and an ass out of me.” ass u me get it?
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I get it! It’s one of my favorite slogan too!! Overused by me. Haha!!
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Me too. I overuse it as well. 👴
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Great minds think alike, my friend!! Good morning!
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Good morning dear. How are you today?
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Great! It’s Friday for me here!! Woohoo!
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Happy Friday my dear friend!
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You too!!!
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Reblogged this on Debatable News: Mainstream to Tinfoil Hat and more.
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Thanks for introducing us to Morgan, Loved it!
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You’ll love her other articles even more! Go and drop by her blog to say hi!!
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I did! Lovely!
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Nice post…
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Thank you!!
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Thank you very much for sharing my post! I liked this post too – it hits home for a lot of people.
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You’re most welcome! Do come in and see what your article brings in the positive comments here. People love your work!
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I had a look, and it’s so lovely to read! I’ll keep popping back and having a look – that would brighten even the worst of days 🙂
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Thanks for letting me share this post with everyone here.
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It’s a pleasure, I absolutely love your blog and I’m happy to be a part of it!
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I love the Sims! Anyway, it’s really human nature to be assumptive though people still have to be careful with the things that they say.
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I love the sims too!! Haha. Thanks for leaving comments!
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I’m so addicted to it. When I was waiting for graduation, I played everyday hahaha
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Woah!! Everyday!! You’re a hardcore fan!
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Hahaha if didn’t have any work right now or a kid to be taken care of, I’d prolly be playing it the whole day hahaha
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As everyone can, I can relate! I hate how one-sided people think I am. “She studied theatre? Must be a bimbo.” Her rant about sexism is also all too relatable…
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How frustrating sometimes you have someone judge you on what your life choices is before they know you as a person.
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We each make assumptions or judgements, based on our own skewed perception of reality based on our own experiences. Assumptions say much more about the ‘assumer’ than the ‘assumee’, and yes, I made those words up. Great post!
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Very creative use of words. Haha!! Thank you for dropping in! If you like Morgan’s post, please do drop by her blog and say hi.
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I love whatever you write. I collude with you so well, you don’t even know.
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Thanks for loving Morgan’s work, do go and visit her website and say hello!
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Sure will!
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A basic tenet of group therapy is that members should check out their assumptions about other members.
Also, I’d rather people voice their assumptions to me rather than behind my back. It may hurt my feelings, but it’s an honest approach that respects me enough to give me a chance to explain. Also, it helps me know if I am communicating clearly.
I contend that if it weren’t for gossip, people wouldn’t need therapists.
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Same here, if someone doesn’t like what I am doing, I prefer them telling it to my face however I’d say criticize the behavior not the personality.
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This article says it all. Assuming, jumping to conclusions or judging by appearances is wrong and can be devastating.
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Yes, it can. Great to have you here, Ngobesing!!!
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Thank you Kally.
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