One of the most unique ironies in life is found in the use of stereotypes.  Stereotypes can be equally offensive and comforting. Perhaps unknowingly, most people suggest stereotypes in countless ways. In fact, the use stereotypes have become routine; most go unnoticed and are rarely challenged. Stereotypes are the product of fairy tale and myth. They make complicated understandings unnecessary. They permit people to identify the appearances with the realities, and so exempt them from any further mental or emotional effort. They keep familiar things familiar. They are not completely false, but they are completely shallow.

I think this one goes in the quote book. I enjoyed reading this short piece and in particular:

"They (steroeotypes) keep familiar things familiar. They are not completely false, but they are completely shallow."

Many times "what you see is what you get".  I think stereotypes are extremely useful in situations where additional care and caution are due.  If you drive your car in a stereotypical "rough" area" with stereotypical "thugs" hanging around then lock your doors and make sure you can protect yourself.  

The raw fact is most folks dress, act and react a certain way because they see themselves in that light and want to fit in with a certain group.  We do it at our jobs with the clothes we wear, the language we use and the actions we take.  We want to project a certain stereotype for acceptance but we all want to be understood as more than that.

Certainly anytime you stereotype a person and set them into a pre-determined group with pre-determined actions you limit yourself.  In many situations that's not bad, around Christmas we want to believe that we're all connected, helpful, happy and blessed.  When the cold water of reality hits us in the face we also need to know that some people are only connected and happy if they are doing another harm.

Most think of stereotypes racially and those are the most blunt but anytime you judge based on appearance and your "accepted rules of the world" then you've stereotyped.

I think it makes greater sense to stereotype all you want but don't hate for sport and don't limit yourself by these thoughts.  It's not shallow, it's necessary.

This thread is beginning to take on the look and feel of stereotypical intellectual banter. But,I digress...........

"I think it makes greater sense to stereotype all you want but don't hate for sport and don't limit yourself by these thoughts.  It's not shallow, it's necessary."

I dont think it can be said any better than this.....
Hugs and Kisses
Monette

You are doing some hatin'... but I could also be wrong : )

If you are referring to my comment above................jokin' yes,hating NO! BUT,since you brought it up,that was the "stereotypical" response to humor these days. Everyone (even the intellectual crowd) wants to take themselve soooooo serious. Hmmmmmmm...............

I think that everyone has forgotten that blue jeans in America were originally worn by farmers. So now everyone has to wear blue jeans almost all of the time. And America has what, two farmers left?

While jeans are used widely for their comfort and shrink-to-fit, why not wake somebody up, "hey, you look like a farmer".

Don't get me wrong it's great to have a dissenting opinion, but to dismiss something as intellectual doo-doo is a bit shallow me thinks. If you don't like something, say why, as these are only thought starters. I am sure if all the board was about was "prettier and "tighter" as Vega72 says then it would be just that. Until then, some people love to talk this "intellectual" crap when we are not thinking with our smaller brains, but I could be wrong about that too.

If I could get my "little brain" to take some time off, I would very much welcome some "intellegent conversation." Trust me, it would benefit me both spiritually and financially as well. However, I find the irresistable urge to "cut up" and have fun as pleasing to me as a good romp through my diminishing brain cells. I sincerely hope I haven't over stepped my boundries or over stayed my welcome.   Perhaps I just need to get "LAID"