Stereotypes happen because they happen.

You can't deny that if you meet someone new that nothing comes into your head about that person the second you lay eyes on. Or converse. Its human nature to do so.

I'M NOT SAYING I LOVE TO JUDGE PEOPLE OR THAT STEREOTYPES ARE ACCURATE.

But first impressions are all we have to go by at first, so you can't do anything about that. First impressions are first impressions. They're exactly that. They do not give you the full picture, and if fact a lot of times we don't necessarily get it right, but at first, that's all you have to go by. Sometimes, we have such a limited time to make an impact, you can't afford to mess up first impressions.

The next time you see a man walk behind you in a dark alley, don't walk any faster to your car and put away the pepper-spray because that would mean you are judging him. Extreme case I know, but the point is that people can't say that they never judge people. And it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Consider a a job interview. If you were the interviewer, are you gonna give the applicant with the constant work time irregularities, sleep-on-the-job, late-project-completion and colleague-harassment behaviors a chance? "Maybe all these reports from his past jobs do not reflect who he really is inside". Second. Would you honestly pick the ex-convict over the Harvard grad? You have a million applicants to sift through.

When should you start judging someone? Eventually you do. Eventually you label someone a persistent liar, kiasu, stingy or creepy, right? Or is everyday a new day for you? You'd probably say that you do once you know the person enough. Is there a gauge for it? I know many friends whom I still don't know all about but I've known for years. Am I still going to be labeled a stereotyping and a quick-judger if I comment about him or her now and it turns out wrong?

How about the people who claim "I just know she's like that" or "I just am able to tell if people are...". Are they not subject to the rules of this game? (You know of people like this don't you)

I do not agree to stereotyping people at all. But bear in mind, they exist because of the mass majority that does conform to it. That is the definition of it. They do not represent the entire community, but you're more likely to get them right than not. Don't stereotype that women like shopping, but really, how many do? Most of you, right? (Note...i said most...not all...so don't catch me on it) Don't stereotype that guys will like at least sports, technology or cars. Most of you do right? Don't stereotype that girls are usually more emotional than men. Would you deny that? Would you deny that us guys are mostly clueless when it comes to taking care of women's needs? Aren't you already stereotyping? What do you call it if not? You can say that some things are more certain than others. But isn't that arbitrary?

Please again, I do not believe in stereotyping or judging people. But, the fact is it is unavoidable and we do it so often, most of the times without noticing that it seems almost senseless why we talk about not doing it so much. Its like that stereotypical scenario of a fat man who goes in a fast food restaurant and orders the entire menu...and a Diet Coke.

(Post not based on any real life person or situation. Any similarity or resentment is purely coincidental...hahaha)