what is normal?

social norms and conformity!

^click me^

For health care I turn to acupuncture, herbs, energy healing, diet changes, stretching, etc.  For religious beliefs I find strength in energy and vibrations, and find solace in Goddess worship and natural seasonal devotion.  I question the status quo along with the patriarchal society that is set up and I find truths in what many call “conspiracy theories.”  I support female business and want to dedicate my life to helping the disenfranchised, poor, and oppressed.  I shop at farmers markets, buy locally, eat predominately organic, and do not eat most manufactured foods.  I do not own or watch tv.  To many, this is considered an alternative lifestyle.  In  making this statement I must ask, what makes it “alternative?”  What is the alternative to my lifestyle? I suppose it is the lifestyle pushed by our American consumerist ideals that is dictated to us in most media outlets.  In writing this I began to research American social norms and what I found actually made me question how often I conform to norms.

A few common norms I found are our idea and need for personal space, taboo of nudity, and our odd elevator etiquette. Granted, in  a country as diverse as America, many norms vary based on ethnicity, class, etc, but as a whole, these are followed very intently. I think one of my favorite parts about living in New York is the proximity we have with others on the subway. On a busy morning, we are packed together like sardines, only being held up by the push and stability of another human body leaning upon our own. But, it’s true that if I am at a cafe with a bunch of empty tables and a stranger sits down at mine, I am weirded out.  I don’t understand the need to be so close.  But, why wouldn’t I want to be so close?  Why don’t I want to start a human connection?  This got me to think that maybe this is why our country as a whole is so terrified of “the other;” things different from ourselves.  The same goes for elevators.  I was once in an elevator at my school with some international students from Asia and India who were discussing how strange it is that people don’t speak or make eye contact with each other in the elevators in America.  Why don’t we?  I am usually very bubbly and talkative to people but am going to make it a point to break down social norms that lead to walls being built around people.  I am going to begin to break down barriers and build relationships instead.  It’s worth a try.