Stereotypes

Stereotypes. No one can get away from them, and with them come preconceived ideas that can ruin something, to the point where doing something different or individual is met with the surprise of someone "breaking the mould". Religion, race, state of dress, all contribute to the stereotypes: All Christians are good, all Germans are evil, all who dress in black are depressed. 

The most notable instance of late came when I saw a biker gang at a petrol station. On closer inspection, I noticed Christian motifs on the back of their jackets. I didn't think anything of it, but on telling people later, most remarks were along the lines of "What? Bit of a conflicting statement, Christian bike gang" 

I guess people just can't fit "Good" Christians with "Bad" gangs. 

When will people realise they can't label someone on appearance, age, religion or race!

I just don't understand why people like labels so much that they put people and things into little boxes and then get all shocked when someone doesn't fit their label. People go round and round saying we're all individual, unique, then turn round and say "Actually, you are individual, but you have to be this kind of individual, just like everyone else".

And it affects people subconsciously. While you may not realise it, you're probably treating people or making choices based on some form of stereotyping. For example, I, recently went through an image change, becoming labelled by myself and everyone else as Goth. It started out fine, until I realised when I went to buy clothes I was thinking "No, that's not Goth, so I don't like that...oh, these are black, so I must like them" My mind was telling me that if I was Goth, I had to think and act with the stereotype, which wasn't always my choice.  So I ditched that and just started wearing what I liked, rather than what I thought I should dress like. Now I guess it’s more punky, but not enough to really get me labelled. And I’ve never seen anyone dressed like me to the day.

In my opinion, we should just get rid of the labels and start actually looking at people! I know it sounds clichéd, it is, but it’s gonna keep on being said until people start to actually listen to it!

As always though, this is just my opinion. Everyone’s entitled, so as your question, the ever simple

 “What is yours?”

HotB

NB: None of the stereotypes here on race or religion reflect my opinions; I have no prejudice against anyone and am fully openminded to everyone as an individual.

Why I LOVE body art...and why I dislike tattoos.

Hey Guys,

As you miiiiight just have guessed from the title, I loooooooooove body art. I'm always drawing on myself with whatever's closest to hand - Henna, biros, sharpies, india ink...I love being able to just randomly display pictures of whatever image comes into my head, or show off quotes I'm obsessed with - Yes, it was me that wrote "Make Love Not War" in about 21 different places all over my body XD It's a form of expression for me.
That's not to say I love tattoos though.

Yes, they look AWESOME when you first get them done...as long as it's not in a state of blind drunkenness, with a dodgy-looking guy inking the name of a random person you met in a bar less than an hour ago and immediately decided was your soulmate.
But seriously, they look awful after a while. Sagging, faded ink pictures permanently blotched into your skin are NOT particularly attractive.

And then there's the permanence of them. When you're trying to raise kids of your own,  tattoos screaming obscure references to bands you can barely even remember the genre of - let alone the title of their biggest hit - or huge full-body works depicting your two-month gothic phase, all the way from grinning, worm eaten zombies to bloodstained, chain-covered coffins, aren't the best way to set a good example.

And then there's the slight problem you get when your teenage gang and you decide to get identical skulls tattooed across your face, to show that you're the most feared, powerful gang out there.
Yeah...good luck trying to get a job with that.

So, in my humble opinion, of which there seems to be no shortage :P, non permanent body art is the way to go XD I love having the freedom to change my designs (At the moment I have a henna-and-sharpie heart tattooed on my wrist, and an india-ink cross on my leg)
Plus, they're heaps cheaper XD

So my question is probably blindingly obvious :P What are your opinions on tattoos/body art?


HotB

Man Flu...Does it really exist??

Well, I've been ill for the past week, and if I was a guy, I would have man flu. I'm a girl, so that must mean I actually am dying...

But what is the deal with man flu? Is it actually a real thing (Watch here as all the guys swear "yes!" and all the girls roll their eyes and go "Yeah, whatever") On seeing my status on fb (see opening sentance) one of my friends (a guy, funnily enough) messaged me with "Oh, thats a shame, but seriously you have no idea how painful man flu is "

Aren't guys meant to be the big fearless tough ones (yes I know it's stereotypical and sexist, I'm just airing popular opinion here, don't kill me), but yet they fall at the first stirrings of a cold, which develops into the feared, deadly MAN FLU.

Man flu, for those who don't understand, is defined, by the ever-dependable urban dictionary, as:
"The condition shared by all males wherein a common illness (usually a mild cold) is presented by the patient as life-threatening. This is also known as 'Fishing for Sympathy' or 'Chronic Exaggeration'. When the patient is your boyfriend, he will exhibit the standard symptoms (such as an overwhelming desire for compassion) while simultaneously rejecting any and all efforts you make to placate him" 

An example might be:
You: Awww, you poor guy. 
Him: I'm DYING! 
You: (Soothingly) Oh, you're not dying. 
Him: (Indignant) I AM! I have Man Flu! 
You: Do you need some sympathy? 
Him: Yes! But no one understands my pain... 
You: I understa- 
Him: NO YOU DO NOT!!!

Most woman seem to look upon this with more than mild scepticism and men with indignant belief.
Soo, the QOTD (Question of the day):
Do you believe that man flu is a real illness, and if so, have you ever suffered from it? 
(If you believe it and are a girl, please say as I've yet to meet one )

Money Issues...

How scary is it that I earned more money during an hour of busking than the minimum hourly wage?

Three times as much, to be exact. Yes, I was lucky enough to get about $16.50 in just under an hour, as opposed to the $5 McDonalds or other fast-food joint pay.

I don't know...something seems not quite right about that. I mean, I'm not complaining, never being one to throw back money and say "Hey! You shouldn't be giving that to me, it belongs to the vastly underpaid masses"

But still, something to think about...

My question: Do you think there's something wrong with the fact a singer on the street can earn more per hour than a full-working person? Or is it just a case of "A job is a job is a job", and people should just take what comes their way?