Have you ever sat quietly and observed the world around you? Maybe you've scanned the school cafeteria and watched your peers conduct their everyday lunch rituals, or sat in a friend or family member's car and noticed the way they drive? While watching others you may recognize these little habits or practices that people have in common and you may ask yourself, "Why in the world are these behaviors considered normal?" You may not even realize it, but you may do these baffling behaviors too.
1. Open your mouth while putting on mascara.
Ladies, you may think that you look composed and glamorous when putting on your mascara, but I guarantee you that your mouth is hanging wide open. Don't feel too bad, I'm guilty of this practice too. Now you may be looking at this and saying "not me," but tomorrow morning when you sit at your mirror and apply your mascara, glance at your mouth and you might be in for a surprise. You're welcome!
2. Lower the car radio when you're unsure about directions.
Why is it that when we are unsure of where we are going, we turn the radio down or turn it off completely? Is the music impairing your vision? Now, if you have your GPS on, I could understand lowering the radio, but if you are just looking for street signs, there is no reason to lower the music.
3. Having road rage with the windows closed.
What good is yelling at the idiot in front of you or next to you on the road if your windows are closed and they cannot hear you? To the other driver you look like a really scary and insane silent movie character and they are probably laughing at you. Yelling only works if the other person can hear you...just saying.
4. Slowing down on the parkway upon seeing another car already pulled over by a cop.
If the cop has already pulled someone over, then they are a little preoccupied and are not looking at you. KEEP DRIVING. By slowing down you are only causing unnecessary traffic. You will not get pulled over by a cop who is already out of his car and writing up a ticket for the person he already pulled over.
5. Playing and teaching games involving songs about a horrible tragedy.
Why on Earth were we taught and continue to teach games and songs about death and tragedy? "Ring Around The Rosie" is about contracting and dying from the plague, "London Bridge" is about the destruction of the famous bridge, and "Rock-A-Bye Baby" is about a baby falling out of a tree. We have all played these games as children and continue to play them with the children in our lives. Why is this a normal practice?
6. Going to the bathroom in pairs.
No matter where you are, women always tend to go to the bathroom in pairs. They always ask to be accompanied by one of their girlfriends when migrating to a public bathroom. Why is it that we need a friend to come with us when we are doing something that is so private and a completely independent activity?
7. Wanting or buying china.
Why is it that people always put china sets on their wedding registry? We have these elaborate matching sets of dishes and bowls that we never use and just display in a cabinet for 60 years. I can count the amount of times we've used our china on one hand, and I don't think the number will be changing anytime soon.
8. Nodding yes and no while on the phone.
When you nod yes or no on the phone, the person on the other line cannot see you. You need to say something so they know you are engaged and are answering their questions.
These are just a few examples of behaviors and practices that people take part in every day without realizing it. The next time you are bored, just watch the people around you. You may be surprised as to what you see.
