I get on with a whole variety of people. I've always been a multi-cultural person. I don't think anyone should feel left out. We all need friends, and I'm always open to chat about anything they want. I attract all types, but still meet others who are artistic types. I once dated a guy who studied art at University, and I could just tell he understood art. Unfortunately, like Van Gough, he went kind of off the rails, but saved both his ears. He self-harmed like Van Gough did. He was good at writing songs.

I wonder if mg is going to explain. He hates when I ask him questions.

Hi Sing

I look at normal as this definition: conforming to the usual standard or type.

now that's just not normal

I was dropped repeatedly as a child. Come to think of it, still get dropped just harder to turn me upsidedown.

I guess I'm as normal as the rest of em,

but CAN be as out there as the best of em.

Ah, but whose "usual standard or type" do you go by to find out what's normal and not normal. Normal for you might not be the same thing as normal for me.

It is a little weird.

I can't seem to get into the zone. If i had to guess, I'd guess I'm in the twilight zone most of the time.

I suck when things are normal...I've absolutely no concept of this so called "Norm" and it drives me insane for the most part, it just seems so illogical to consider anything normal in a diverse world, much less to label yourself as such.

When the s* hits the fan though, I effin' strive...I'm out ahead of the pack and leading them to shelter, when all hell is breaking loose I'm the calm one leading people. When s* is normal I'm the guy just wondering what the hell everyone else is doing and why.

I've been everywhere so obviously situations have cropped up that were well outside my control, I'm pretty sure that experience coupled with my head injury knocking out emotional sense has allowed me to fall into any situation anywhere...I just bloody hate normal.

Comfortable is more or less a state of mind than an actual place for me. The only place really outside my comfort zone is one where I can't get a cup of coffee. I'm not a real touchy feely kinda person so having people who are like that around me tends to make me a bit uncomfortable.

Awesome story though glad it was a good flight. Making new friends is always memorable.

well I was making a bit of play on the topic at hand. One person's normal can be another persons whacked.

I think any sest of parameters can have a norm as in a measured statistical norm. How far one extrapolates that into non measured circumstances such as generalized opinions about lifestyle and behavior??? There is a median income, and average debt. Even personality is measured sometimes to see if we are within the norm to be able to communicate, relate well enough to take care of ourselves and others in society.

There's even a normal way to dress if you want to fit into a certain social group. and then that changes from group to group. I bet if you ran the numbers (as I see all norms as a function of statistics rather than "belief" or assumtion), you might find for example that 65% of men in corporations wear a tie to work. for example.

That's why I asked him whose standards he was going by. Some people here in the forums are very different than others, so the "norm" isn't going to be the same for each of them.

Weird is another good one. What makes someone outside of your norm weird?

exactly

I agree

the question is the norm of what?

the parameters are needed to describe the group measured so that normative data can be calculated. Only then have we adequate descriptions of the "norm" :)

In this particular example, you've had issues in the past because you didn't want to answer/didn't like questions. Most people here in the forums do not have that issue. So, to me, that's a bit weird.

I'm an Arts person.grew up around unique and colorful individuals. What I've learned, is that "normal" does not exist in life, love, and everything else! That is why I love people. They are so interesting. I wish people were less afraid to be themselves - including me- because things could be easier. I not only accept the variety of people In the world, but enjoy it.

I am open-minded, and think I would miss out on a lot of enriching experiences if I wasn't. I know people all over the world because I am open to meeting people and communing with them in the moment. What fun!

So to your norm, that would be weird?

odd

Yep, this is the point of the thread (for me at least). I believe the norm sould be done away with. We are becoming a world that needs to, more than ever, put away judgements on what we feel might be different and learn to reach outside of our own comfort zones. In time these comfort zones will no longer exist because we will be an accepting people.

Actually I should answer this seriously and not with something that is more fuel. I don't think people mind the questions (I know I dont)as much as the circle of questions cause for some of us we feel like the responses we give say what we mean. In other words a frog can only be dissected so many times before the point is lost.

Obviously there are norms, obviously people are saying it would be nice if there could be less and we as people could be more accepting. The definitions of webster or bing or me or you is not the topic. Norm was simply the word of choice but it could have been several different words. My point is a very simple concept and doesn't really need to go off in a million directions, but it can if people wish. I would suggest this to you. If you do see people not wanting to respond to you it may be for reasons of they just want to make a simple point without having it chopped into a million pieces. They/we don't mind that it may get chewed up and spit out we just don't like to be told we are not willing to keep the circle going when we feel the point has already been made. That to us seems argumentative and really has nothing to do with the points of the topic.

I do realize that some are here mainly to dissect and or argue points, but to many here we are not so much into fueling a flame over making a point.