Stereotypes and labeling: they are everywhere in the real world.
First impressions are crucial because they help people make positive assumptions about you. For example going into a job interview you want to look professional, not homeless. You have to show someone you're comfortable in professional attire and not that you're desperate for the job.
Stereotyping is present in the virtual world as well. Whyvillians are so quick to judge and easily throw negative comments at you. They stereotype excessively, even without realizing it. Now that you've read this you're most likely going to debate me on the BBS. If you do, then you stereotype easily as well. Whyvillians don't think about what they're doing and they can't tell right from wrong. In the virtual world, nobody cares. There is no sympathy, respect or compassion for the person beside you. We all seem to assume that we're untouchable and allowed to express our hate for another person because of Freedom of Speech. But I don't recall Freedom of Speech being about verbal abuse and vulgar insults based on the way people look.
Whyvillians also immensely discriminate. Discrimination isn't only about race or religion, but about gender and classism. Whyvillians distinguish themselves because they think they're better than everyone. You don't realize it but when you think to yourself "Newbies are annoying" you're categorizing irritating as annoying and whiny. But is stereotyping such a terrible thing? I mean, most Newbies are annoying so it's not really a terrible thought -- is it? You're just being honest and making a mental note about people you don't like. It isn't a crime not to like someone. This would be the thought process of a Whyvillian -- they're being brutally honest and you can't get punished for that. But stereotyping is wrong, hurtful, and mean.
I asked my friends what their first impressions of certain types of people were. Each of the Whyvillians I interviewed have been on Whyville for quite some time so they seemingly know what to expect of the people they see.
holiday50: How old might their account be?
iamtodd: A month.
bluebag: A few months.
nycshane: 2 days.
lollyfob: Very new, maybe a few days or weeks.
Vancyon: Less than a week.
ushersg: Two weeks at the OLDEST.
ittismary: A week or less.
holiday50: What is their salary?
iamtodd: Very low; 5-25
bluebag: 10 - 30 clams
nycshane: Less than 2
lollyfob: 0-20 I'm guessing
Vancyon: 0-20 clams
ushersg: 5 clams, tops.
ittismary: 0-10 clams
holiday50: Describe their personality.
iamtodd: Annoying
bluebag: Annoying
nycshane: Friendly
lollyfob: Hopefull?
Vancyon: Single!
ushersg: Annoying
ittismary: Friendly, but typical newbie
holiday50: How old might their account be?
iamtodd: Months to a year
bluebag: 6 months to a year
nycshane: 5 months
lollyfob: A few months - 1 year
Vancyon: 2 months
ushersg: Hard to tell, but they look like an Olbie - so a year or so.
ittismary: Several months to a year
holiday50: What is their salary?
iamtodd: 30-70
bluebag: 50-80
nycshane: 51
lollyfob: 60-100
Vancyon: 50+
ushersg: 75 clams
ittismary: 50ish
holiday50: Describe their personality.
iamtodd: Mean
bluebag: Hmm.. not mean, but not friendly at the same time.
nycshane: Friendly
lollyfob: Random, tries to be original
Vancyon: " :) :) :))) *takes cookie* *Meow* x))))
ushersg: Crazy and fun(:
ittismary: Standoffish
holiday50: How old might their account be?
iamtodd: Old
bluebag: Years
nycshane: 2 years+
lollyfob: 2 years - 5 years
Vancyon: 1 year
ushersg: Years and years.
ittismary: Several years
holiday50: What is their salary?
iamtodd: 100s
bluebag: 100+
nycshane: 125
lollyfob: High, a guess would be 130?
Vancyon: 80
ushersg: 125
ittismary: 100+
holiday50: Describe their personality.
iamtodd: Friendly
bluebag: Friendly
nycshane: Quiet
lollyfob: Rude, you're a typical stuck up Olbie.
Vancyon: Mean!
ushersg: Stuck-upish
ittismary: Friendly
holiday50: How old might their account be?
iamtodd: A few months
bluebag: Less than 6 months
nycshane: 2 months
lollyfob: A few weeks - 2 months
Vancyon: 2-4 weeks
ushersg: Few months
ittismary: Several months
holiday50: What is their salary?
iamtodd: 30-60
bluebag: 30-50
nycshane: 40
lollyfob: 50-80
Vancyon: 30 or under
ushersg: 35 clams
ittismary: 30-50 clams
holiday50: Describe their personality.
iamtodd: Friendly
bluebag: Friendly
nycshane: Self-centered
lollyfob: Annoying or friendly
Vancyon: Annoying; calls people Newbs
ushersg: Ditzy
ittismary: Obnoxious
holiday50: How old might their account be?
iamtodd: A year
bluebag: Around 6 months
nycshane: 1 year
lollyfob: A few weeks
Vancyon: 6 months
ushersg: Two months
ittismary: At least 6 months
holiday50: What is their salary?
iamtodd: 60-100
bluebag: 40-60
nycshane: 80
lollyfob: 20-80
Vancyon: 100+
ushersg: 25 clams
ittismary: 50-100
holiday50: Describe their personality.
iamtodd: Mean
bluebag: Nice-y mean? Sort of the middle?
nycshane: Friendly
lollyfob: Spazzy
Vancyon: Rude
ushersg: Friendly
ittismary: Depends on their mood.
Are these assumptions really true? I went undercover to each Whyvillians' natural habitats to find out! As you can see, my undercover account is a blue head. Usually 'Bluebies' face discrimination and cruelty from fellow Whyvillians.
Clearly, Person 1 is a Newbie. Therefore they will have a low salary and a very questioning, curious attitude. But Whyvillians are annoyed by their multiple questions -- I speak from experience because I am a YHelper and it isn't always entertaining to continually help people. But the Newbies that I spoke to, were friendly and yes, curious. They're looking to make friends -- especially boy/girlfriends, and to customize their account. I was shocked at Newbies' desperate attempts to find online relationships, and the numerous times they shouted "SINGLE HIT 911". However there is still no reason to get angry and treat the word 'Newbie' as if it's a curse word. I have seen Whyvillians misuse the word 'Newbie' several times, and insult people. How many times have you been called a Newbie, or heard someone say "GET LOST U NEWB!!"
One glance at Person 2 says "AVOID, AVOID, WALK AWAY". Their excess use of black gives the impression that they're emo, scene or goth. So obviously they constantly whine about life being a meaningless black hole, right? Wrong. Contrary to my beliefs, they were actually quite nice. When I said 'Hello' they answered me back and we had a friendly, non-threatening conversation.
Person 3 is an 'Olbie' or a veteran Whyvillian. They have been on Whyville for numerous years and are wise and knowledgeable about the website. So clearly they are cocky and rude. I mean, they sit on the throne of Whyville History and they're in kahoots with the City Workers. Well, these assumptions are half true. Sometimes they are purposely unresponsive and cruel. But Olbies are pleased to see the use of good grammar because they judge Whyvillians' maturity levels based on their grammar skills. But they are also some of the most intelligent and creative Whyvillians because they live for pop culture, literature, and the arts.
Most of the interviewees thought Person 4 was obnoxious and mean and I couldn't agree with them more. They come off friendly at first, but they have hidden claws. If you compliment them, they will be your best friend. However their lives revolve around Disney and the Entertainment world. Most of them are obsessed with Hannah Montana and High School Musical so if you aren't updated with the latest celebrity gossip, you wouldn't fit in. Some of these Whyvillians are also superficial and very, very judgmental. If you don't look like them, you're considered to be ugly and fashion-challenged.
The interviewees got the impression that Person 5 is ghetto. You probably think they talk like diz, dawg. Tho they look phresh they're prolly rude lil home skillets, and are trippin'. Actually they're a lot like Person 4 because they love music and sports. Beware; some of them have nasty attitudes and dey do talk lyke diz yo!
Though not every person that dresses like this doesn't act like this. It's just how most Whyvillians acted towards me. I had enough to rely on to get a general view of their personality. In my opinion, labeling and judging people is okay. Being a prep is something to be proud of -- you dress maturely and reach for good grades. But it is wrong to stereotype people into a category. You should not make assumptions based on the way people dress. If you do, you will always get incorrect impressions of people. Not every Newbie is difficult and not all Olbies are conceited. Most of them might be, and if you're going to make that assumption, it should be based on facts and experience of coming in contact with these people.
There is no way to create your face to avoid judgment. But there are ways to make your face to avoid bad judgment, and to avoid flaws. Do these rules apply for males as well? Hmm . . . it seems like a further investigation needs to be conducted.
holiday50
Author's Note: I made the faces of Persons 1-5. They are NOT real Whyvillians. Also, I asked for permission to use the investigated Whyvillians to be in my article.
