About Sales Director
Jenn Price does not proclaim to be an expert on dating…but her years of practice (and willingness to share stories) will certainly get people talking. Join in the dialogue each week as Jenn tackles matters of the heart.
Preconceived Notions
price of love: judging others canada
(Mar.01.11)
Have you ever been on the giving or receiving end of misconceptions?
I get it all the time. People ask my age and they usually have me pegged as about 10 years younger than I am. When they learn the truth, they typically express disbelief followed by a careful examination of my face for signs of wrinkles (or Botox). Then comes the long line of questions: Are you married? Why not? Do you have any kids? A boyfriend? Is it serious? (This is more prevalent when I travel, since in many cultures, it's a strange concept for a woman to be in her thirties and unmarried.)
Over the years, meeting men has been an interesting challenge. When they learn my age, the ones that are only looking for a good time quickly become less interested. They assume that a woman in her thirties is instantly looking to get married and have babies.
And then sometimes, it’s the opposite. A guy that is ready to commit to the right woman may become more keen once he knows he’s speaking with a thirty-something woman, assuming that it could lead to a stable and committed relationship more quickly. However, it's also possible that these ones won’t even approach a woman who looks like she’s in her twenties, assuming she’s not aligned with his life plan.
Being blonde is also full of misconceptions. I often study the way people interact with me, especially men. It’s almost dismissive until I open my mouth and say something intelligent. When I first started interviewing for jobs, I used to wear my hair in a chignon along with fake glasses to gain more credibility. Over the years I believe I’ve had to work harder to overcome preconceived notions about my abilities (always aware that I look young for my age, in addition to being blonde).
We can never accurately judge someone based on appearances alone. I try to remember that we all tend to generalize in order to deal with people (and I’m sure I’ve been guilty of this too). Being aware that preconceptions do exist, we can all accept half of the work and look beyond the surface if we get the feeling that someone is worth knowing.
What preconceptions have you had with respect to others? What judgments have others made upon you?
[Editor’s note: This will be Jenn’s last sweetspot.ca blog post. We’ve loved following her dating adventures and getting her great relationship advice. Read through the Price of Love archives here and follow Price of Love on Facebook here).