Judge content, not the cover

Don’t judge a book by its cover is an adage more people need to take to heart.

Everyday people judge and dismiss other people they don’t think are worthy of their time or attention.

Sometimes we do it because some people aren’t as good-looking as others. Other times we judge people by what they wear. Even beautiful people are judged because of how they look.

Perhaps if we stopped presuming to know people based on appearances, we’d discover something really special.

That girl that walks around in the paint-spattered apron is actually the next Georgia O’Keeffe.

The guy with the hair halfway to his behind who’s always banging on the desk behind you is the next Ringo Starr.

What about that gorgeous blonde you always see at the mall? She’s not wasting her parent’s money like you assumed. She’s looking for inspiration to create her own clothing line.

We miss out on so much when we make assumptions about people and blow them off.

One of the things I love about being a journalist is learning people’s stories — what they do in their free time, why they chose their major and what they want out of life.

Some may argue that people are people. We’re all driven by the same basic wants and needs — food, shelter and clothing. But society has so many different kinds of people who come from an infinite number of backgrounds.

It’s exciting to compare other people’s decisions and their reasoning behind those decisions to your own.

Another reason not to make snap judgments about people is they might just be having a bad day. Everyone has them, but would you want to have your entire worth decided on the day you couldn’t get hot water, your hair dryer pooped out and you don’t have anything to wear because you forgot to move your laundry to the dryer? Didn’t think so.

Really, this particular adage and the golden rule go hand-in-hand. Just treat others as you want to be treated.Stop for a second and think about the hundreds of people you pass everyday. Those people have their own lives with dreams, disappointments and triumphs just like you. Aren’t you the least bit curious about what’s going on in their heads?

Take the first step.

Go out and talk to somebody you wouldn’t normally talk to.

Too big a step?

Quit avoiding eye contact with people in the hallway and smile at somebody you normally wouldn’t. It might just make their day.

Published in The Collegian April 29, 2009.