Stereotyped?

[Pappy]

Same as other's experience on jury duty. Defence attorneys seem to assume that retired military would automatically be hard on their clients, especially in DUI and drug cases.

Another time, when my oldest was seeing a school shrink, the first time we met I was in uniform. His reaction was, "Oh, you are a Marine. That's the reason he has problems". I resisted the urge to educate him on the manners expected in the Western civilization, but refused to meet with him again.

[TheRic]

I have been stereotyped most of my life for one reason or another. I'm so-an-so son, so-an-so brother, your from so-an-so town, collage student, etc. Heck even my wife has used the your a male your suppose to know those things!!!??? I'm a Systems Administrator there for I'm suppose to know everything about anything that is even remotely computer related.

[leehljp]

ANOTHER QUESTION: What if someone says that you are not the typical . . . The stereotyped image of a certain profession etc? I get that ALL the time for people who hang around me and know my profession. I am not bad or rude, just not typical of my profession because I think and operate too much "out of the box."

[scorrpio]

A bit of an insight on the military and jury duty:
I understand that no career military are privates - that would make the word 'career' an oxymoron - you always hold some kind of rank. That means that you likely have leadership tendencies and skills, which likely have been enhanced by your occupation. And from my experience, lawyers don't want any leader types in the jury. Most jurors are average Joes who really don't care about the trial, and rather than listen carefully to presented evidence and think for themselves, they will be content to go with the opinion of someone more accustomed to lead. Should such leader happen to hold an otlook opposing that of one of the sides, that lawyer will find it near impossible to bend the jury to his case.

[MikeMcCoy]

A bit of an insight on the military and jury duty:
I understand that no career military are privates - that would make the word 'career' an oxymoron - you always hold some kind of rank. That means that you likely have leadership tendencies and skills, which likely have been enhanced by your occupation. And from my experience, lawyers don't want any leader types in the jury. Most jurors are average Joes who really don't care about the trial, and rather than listen carefully to presented evidence and think for themselves, they will be content to go with the opinion of someone more accustomed to lead. Should such leader happen to hold an otlook opposing that of one of the sides, that lawyer will find it near impossible to bend the jury to his case.

That makes sense and probably explains it. I know a bunch of folks that have reported for jury duty but I don't know a single one that actually got invited to stay.

[gwyneth]

Chris, you didn't mention gender in your question, which is one of the big ones like 'race, religion and age'.

Gender stereotyping is still alive, and surprisingly prevalent.

The latest Ryobi cordless tool ad is headlined something like "because women like guys with sawdust in their hair." Besides the fact that some women already like cordless tools, perhaps the company could sell many more to women a) with a more gender-neutral approach and b) by showing they're interested in all prospective users.

It always surprises me that here in the 21st century, stuff like that can move up the corporate and ad agency food chain unflagged at any level for obnoxiousness.

Of course, on an individual level gender stereotyping is still unfortunately frequent. I've had car salespeople say they didn't get info about cars with manual transmissions--despite specific requests--because 'women don't like them.'

I'm not dragging up the arguments about sex roles and such from a couple of decades ago, and my intention is not to start a discussion about opening doors for people.

These examples are about selling things to people (or missing sales) because of misplaced assumptions.

PS: As far as professions go, Hank, apparently psychiatrists have it the worst. A friend from high school said at a reunion that it's been years since he told casual acquaintances and strangers what he does. Apparently nobody can stay neutral, say 'that's nice' and move on.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Just in the last week I have run into a thing. Young college students think that if you are a clerk in a store that you know nothing. I have had a couple of young males assume that if I work in a convience store that I know absolutely nothing about how to do my job which I have done the same kind of work for over 20 years now.

That is the only thing that I can think of right now that is a stereo type for me, and at times it really makes me angry when 18 year olds think they know more or can do my job which is the graveyard shift where I have to deal with the drunks and other kooks out there.

[ironhat]

The latest Ryobi cordless tool ad is headlined something like "because women like guys with sawdust in their hair." Besides the fact that some women already like cordless tools, perhaps the company could sell many more to women a) with a more gender-neutral approach and b) by showing they're interested in all prospective users.

You know, they just might sell more tools to men with the *opposite* photo and gender in the ad line. eg. Photo of a female holding a tool, dust in her hair and looking capabale and satisfied. That would get a grin out of me because I raised daughters who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and they know which end of a power drill to hold on to. So, all sexism aside it would be a plus in my mind to use both types of ads. Most ads are already gender neutral it seems and they don't much get my attention. Advertisers have to do that before they can extol the virtues of yet another 14.0 v. cordless. Just a thought.

[Richard in Smithville]

I live in a small town. We have one traffic light and the big event of the year is the "Poultry Fest". When I got transfered to the city of Welland, I received many comment to the order that I was Jethro from the Beverley Hillbillies. Of course this "big" city( their words...not mine) talk pretty much stopped when the big city folk( around 50 000 people in Welland) found out that I grew up in Metro Toronto.

[scmhogg]

I'm a lawyer, need I say more?

On jury selection--the rule of thumb is, don't pick a leader, unless you are sure they lean your way. Anybody ever see Twelve Angry Men?

Steve

[LinuxRandal]

As to the stereotyping verses profiling thing, IMHO, the difference is use.

We all have been stereotyped, as it is based on ones prejudices and experiences. (may or may not be based in reality)

Profiling, is someone using statistics (commonalities) in an effort to prove something. (also may or may not be)

I have been stereotyped for both my equipment choices and uses. (RAS, BT (saw brand), use of a GCSS), stereotyped by police who didn't know me (three seperate mistaken identity events), stereotyped because of name and family affiliation (which if profiled, statistically would be correct) and more.
If we all acknowledge our biases, and try not to pass them on, I think we will eventually come down with accurate profiles that could be agreed upon. Right now, a lot of profiles are still based on stereotypes, rather then true math.

[Tom Slick]

I'm in my early 30's and just transferred to a University as a student. I am a balding, white guy with a collared shirt, nice shoes, and a briefcase. My first two days at school I was mistaken for a professor, twice! that was last week.
Outside of school most people are surprised when I tell them I am a student, they assume I already have a degree and went to college when I was "college age." I just remind them that 10 years in the military makes you start school a little later in life.

[Hellrazor]

I am not bad or rude, just not typical of my profession because I think and operate too much "out of the box."

Doing things outside the box is the reason I have my current job. They didn't want someone who can not think on their feet. Hindsight might be 20/20, but quick snap decisions rule the roost.

I have always been the jokester, prankster, etc and now that I have a management job I get a lot of grief for being "like them". With "them" being management.

And I am sure a few people have picked up I can be the king of sarcasm too. Which can be good and bad, depending who you deal with.

I also hunt and own guns. Of course that makes you the devil depending who you are talking to.