I need to break a social norm! Any suggestions?

[carrot_wench]

Video number one: Why I'm afraid to ride public transportation.

Ermm, yeah......and that's not exactly an "extreme" case of MARTA-train crazyness. and it's often similar on other public transit systems....

which is why I'm glad I just received a can of pepper spray (actually, p-spray + tear gas + ultraviolet ink) as a gift from my new employer. Even hedoesn't want me to be in danger when I have to ride the bus to work. yeah.


Oh yeah, another social norm-breaker: Have you dried using different accents? I recently tried using a southern accent at the grocery store (my normal voice is so midwestern/neutral), and I seemed to pull it off. It would be hilarious to use another accent around people you DO know, and act as if nothing's up...
OR, use alternative accentS in one location where you don't know anybody.....at the mall, ask one store worker where something is in a..Jamaican accent, then talk to a dressing room attendant in a British accent, then speak in a French accent with the cashier, and say goodbye to the door attendant/first worker in another one.... It's not such an original idea these days, but it's another good one to try.

[jeanacorina]

So... all of this amounts to....

Act like Britney Spears?

 

[faunablues]

Personally, I run into too many "British" people when I work in customer service. I remember at a blood drive a year back this one guy was "Aussie"... people were asking him questions about Australia and everything... since then he has an American accent. I think it's a little hard to keep up the charade when you live on campus!

A simple one that, while not illegal, will unsettle those around you: use the wrong restroom. At my old job we did this all the time (inevitably, a same sex person was taking 30 min in the restroom, and we have limited time!). It wasn't stalls though (single person bathroom), but it sure did fluster the customers when I came out of the men's room and guys coming out of the women's.

Instead of greeting with "hi", a handshake, or a hug or whatever, greet with a game of Slide, and insist that the greet-ee join in. It's customary in your culture.

Insist on waiting outside for your dog at the pet supply store/veterinarian. (hard to pull off, but, you know, it's the thought that counts).

Carry around a stuffed animal/doll/action figure and interact with it as though it's real and an established member of your group of friends/coworkers.

Genuinely appear to believe in mythical people/animals ("Man, I haven't seen Superman in a long time." "I still don't understand why I Santa won't come if I stay up" "So, are unicorns endangered or extinct?") childlike gullibility = totally unacceptable for an adult

Do not walk. Don't run. Hop to wherever you go.

Another Seinfeld tip: don't wear a shirt. Wear a bra and a jacket.

Similar to scary girl in the first video, just dance randomly outside. *Especially* if you're bad at dancing. Singing works too.

Offer up free hugs on the street like that guy!

Be heterophobic (damn breeders, violating the sanctity of marriage)

Relate things that happen in class/conversations to something deemed inappropriate - liken a situation to inserting a diva cup.

I'm surprised by how easy these are to think of.

[closeyoureyestosee]

 "So, are unicorns endangered or extinct?"

YOU listen to This American Life.   

[faunablues]

admittedly, that one was not original.

i loved that episode. also the "goose zing" and "school zing" signs 

[closeyoureyestosee]

admittedly, that one was not original.

i loved that episode. also the "goose zing" and "school zing" signs 

Sigh.  I love that show. 

[Charbot Kimzoid]

Go to church and wear this shirt:

[prettyin_punk]

dress in drag, either a drag queen or of the opposite sex.
dress as a pimp.
dress like a freak.
don't get dressed.

give a random stranger a big hug and kiss.
do something nice and extremely courteous.
be completely negative.
start eating something random in the middle of a restaurant.

[Sea_of_Green]

start eating something random in the middle of a restaurant.

like a napkin.

[hanashi]

Go to a restaurant, order something, then when your food comes, pull out another meal from your purse/back pack and eat that instead.

[Allychristine]

I have a feeling she's probably already done one...she definitely had enough suggestions! We need an update.

[mdvegan]

give a random stranger a big hug and kiss.

Have you seen paris je t'aime?  There's a scene w/ Steve Buscemi...

[Heliamphora]

Go to church and wear this shirt:

WANT.

[Charbot Kimzoid]

Go to church and wear this shirt:

WANT.

Have.

[K2]

How about wearing a perfume that doens't smell nice?

K