How do you react if you meet a somewhat weird person

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around reactions to encountering individuals perceived as "weird," defined as behaving eccentrically or being socially inept to a moderate degree. Participants explore personal feelings, societal norms, and the nature of eccentricity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express curiosity about the definition of "weird," suggesting it encompasses a range of eccentric behaviors that are not extreme.
  • Others appreciate quirky individuals but note a fine line between being quirky and being creepy.
  • One participant identifies as "the queerest person" they know, indicating a preference for eccentricity over normalcy.
  • Several participants reflect on their reactions, with some unsure and suggesting self-reflection as a means to gauge their responses.
  • One participant questions the concept of "normal," suggesting that everyone has their quirks and that the idea of a perfectly normal person is paradoxical.
  • Another participant mentions that the nature of the eccentricity exhibited significantly influences their reaction, with some eccentrics being fun and others off-putting.
  • One participant shares a cultural saying that humorously acknowledges the weirdness in everyone.
  • Another expresses interest in individuals who are unapologetically themselves, contrasting this with societal tendencies to conform.
  • Some participants express a general interest in weird people, treating them as they would anyone else, while others indicate a lack of tolerance for social ineptitude.
  • One participant emphasizes that they cannot categorize all eccentric people uniformly, highlighting the complexity of individual personalities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how to react to weird individuals, with multiple competing views on the nature of eccentricity and personal tolerance for social ineptitude.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying definitions and perceptions of "weird," indicating that reactions depend heavily on individual personality traits and the specific behaviors exhibited.

How do you act towards moderately eccentric/weird/socially inept guys?

  • It puts me off, and doesn't want me to get to know him/her.

    Votes: 3 15.8%

  • It creeps me out.

    Votes: 1 5.3%

  • I get interested in this person.

    Votes: 8 42.1%

  • Don't care at all

    Votes: 7 36.8%
  • Total voters
    19
Nikitin
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I'm a bit curious about this.

To make the poll a bit more scientific (:-p), let's use a common definition of "Weird": Behaving eccentrically, being socially inept and/or otherwise non-conforming to ordinary social norms, but all this to a moderate degree (so nowhere near insane, but still quite far away from normal).
 
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I like quirky people, but it can be a fine line between quirky and creepy.
 
Depends.
I am the queerest person I know. For me to be interested in any person, the person either has to have similar eccentricities or has to be totally bonkers. Normals are boring.
 
Not sure how I'd react. Let me go look in the mirror real quick, and I'll let you know.
 
micromass said:
Not sure how I'd react. Let me go look in the mirror real quick, and I'll let you know.
:eek: (your reaction).
 
Nikitin said:
so nowhere near insane, but still quite far away from normal.
What's normal? Someone who is a perfect balance between sheer genius versus dimwitted, between an Olympic athlete versus complete klutz, between overly practical versus completely unrealistic, between overly impassioned versus complete impassion ate, between extremely fastidious versus completely indiscriminating?

That perfectly normal person is probably the most abnormal person on the planet. It's a bit like 39, which is simultaneously the most uninteresting number and therefore most interesting number (per David Well's The Penguin Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Numbers ). Everyone has their quirks.
 
DH, True enough, everybody is different in their own way, but I think you know what I meant.

micromass said:
Not sure how I'd react. Let me go look in the mirror real quick, and I'll let you know.

Oh, obviously WE are weirdos :-p. I meant other people!
 
To to the OP:

I really can't answer this question because it really depends on the nature of the eccentricity/weirdness/non-conformity exhibited by the individual. Some eccentrics or "weird" people are quite fun and interesting as individuals to me (a number of my good friends fall into this category) while some others are definitely off-putting.
 
People in my part of the world used to have the right attitude. One of the old sayings (translated into standard English) is "everybody is weird except me and you, and even you are a bit weird".
 
  • #10
I become interested. We are all weird, though, so the exact definition of ...well, weird, is somewhat elusive here. I am the guy who starts saying anecdotes in public transport out loud or making funny, inappropriate noises etc. Never cared if anyone had a problem with it or not, but I find someone interesting if they have some balls to be themselves in front of strangers. Most people shove their head under the sand - it's like "uh oh, I don't know anyone, danger imminent".
 
  • #11
I find people interesting, and a weird person is no exception.

I would say that I get interested, but rather, I find such people interesting, and I'd treat them as though they were not 'weird'.

I'm not sure about the 4th option. It's not that I don't care, because I care about anyone and everyone I encounter, but rather I'm not alarmed, or i.e., I'm not concerned.
 
  • #12
I got to agree with Lendav Rot: I dislike people who are afraid to do anything that might raise controversy, or go against their group's way of thinking.

astronuc; It's the latter. I should've probably said "I don't care if he acts weird or not".
 
  • #13
Don't really have much tolerance for social ineptitude - interesting people generally are competent enough to at least socially interact correctly.
 
  • #14
Nikitin said:
I'm a bit curious about this.

To make the poll a bit more scientific (:-p), let's use a common definition of "Weird": Behaving eccentrically, being socially inept and/or otherwise non-conforming to ordinary social norms, but all this to a moderate degree (so nowhere near insane, but still quite far away from normal).

It really depends on the personality. I can't fit all eccentric people into a box like that.
 

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