Telling people that we are math majors is like breaking the worst news in the world to them (it feels like that for them, not us). These people’s hearts break for us as they express their shock and, sometimes, even apologies. First of all, we chose to be math majors - no one forced us. Second of all, the apologies are completely unnecessary. Just because you are completely miserable while solving math problems doesn't mean we are. In fact, we enjoy it. Shocker. When we tell people we are math majors, they express almost the same reaction. Every. Single. Time. It doesn’t matter if we are telling a classmate, someone’s parents, or some random person on the street. They all do the same thing. They give us one of two looks accompanied by one (sometimes more if they’re not too shocked to keep the conversation going) of six sayings.
Look 1:
This first look is a look of sheer terror and possibly the most common look. These people express fear in their eyes and shock on their face. It is highly likely that they are also cringing. Look one is most commonly accompanied by reactions one through four. There is no picture to truly capture this look, but this is the closest thing I could find.
Look 2:
Look two is one of total surprise and confusion. While Look one is given by someone who can not wrap their head around the fact that someone can actually enjoy math, Look two is given by someone who is taken aback but still wishes to talk to you. Sometimes they are amazed, and other times they just stand there and try to imagine what our lives our like. These people are more likely to show some interest in our life choices. Look two is typically accompanied by reaction five, six, or seven.
Reaction 1:
“Why? Why would you do that to yourself? I just don't understand how someone can put up with all that misery.” Because we like math. That’s why.
Reaction 2:
“Oh,” as they casually walk away.
Reaction 3:
The person tells you how much he or she despises math and goes into an overly descriptive story of how he or she failed high school algebra.
Reaction 4:
*uncomfortable silence*
Reaction 5:
“What do you want to do with it?” I have no idea.
Reaction 6:
“So you're pretty smart, huh?” How do we even respond to this? We don’t go around asking people their majors and then ask if they’re smart. Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses. Our strength just happens to be the majority of the population’s weakness.
Reaction 7:
“So you can totally help me out! Right?” They suddenly get really happy and hopeful because they think they have found someone who can tutor them.
Someone has asked me what my major is at every college event that I have attended, and, every time, I get one of these reactions. At first it was slightly discouraging to always listen to people hate on math, but, eventually, I just shrugged it off. I respect your dislike of math because it is likely that I dislike something you study. Our differences are what make us unique. To all of my fellow math majors, you're awesome.
