Not a TAAT, thread is partly inspired by things I've read on here, but also by things I read elsewhere around the web and in real life.
I've never understood the preoccupation with whether one is 'normal' in contexts where it doesn't actually matter. Within the realms of whether one's health is normal, sure, or knowing whether another person is treating one in a reasonable way. Or to understand workplace norms. Or to get a sense of whether one's child is developing in the right way. Things that actually matter.
But caring about appearing normal? Why?
For example, caring about whether or not it's normal to:
- get up/go to bed by a certain time;
- adhere to conventions like drinking tea and coffee (I once heard someone call adults who don't drink them 'childish');
- make certain types of clothing choice/hair colour or get piercings/make certain types of body modification past a particular age;
- have/not have pubic hair;
- be in PJs at certain times of day;
- not answer the phone/door at all times;
- have a certain type of dating or sex life (provided no one is getting hurt or exploited;
- enjoy certain things just because everyone else does.
I mean, why do we even waste our time with this stuff? Before anyone accuses me of thinking I'm perfect because I don't tend to care whether I'm viewed as conventional or 'normal', I am far from perfect and I know it. I just think life's far too short to care about whether one appears 'normal' or not. Inevitably, whatever choices we make, some of them will appear normal to others, some won't.
Genuine question to those who care about seeming normal: why?
YABU: I care about appearing normal
YANBU: I don't care about appearing normal