People

Just something that popped into my mind a few minutes ago.

"How do we form perceptions of others?"

Simple scenario (from last night's gathering at Paulaners):

Wong Angie Jason Stef
----t----a----b----l----e----
Me Roy Pris Adrian

*chatter chatter*
"Cheers!" *clink*
Everyone took a sip from their mugs. Roy turned his attention to me.

"Sharon, which year did u graduate from NUS?"
"You guess?"
"HAIYO. Everytime I ask they'll ask me to guess!" His exasperated reply didn't work on me.

"Okok," he surrendered. "2000?" That makes me about... 27?
I started laughing. "Angie!" waved to my pal whose eyes were on the band. "He say I graduate in 2000 leh. Hahaha.."
Angie laughed. "She's the same age as Linda lah, Roy.."
The whole table laughed at his flabbergasted expression.

"Sure orn't?" Roy rebutted in his Hongkong-accented English. I challenged him with a deadly white-witch stare. After which we both started laughing (couldn't stand his comical face).

****

So how do people perceive other people? How do we arrive at a conclusion or impression, and why do we dislike certain people? Decided to google that (since its R&R day for me anyway). Some interesting theories which provided some light on sociology phenomenon >>

I'm a classic receiver of the Interview Illusion theory.

Because of Repulsive Hypothesis, we tend to first exclude people whose attitudes are outside of an acceptable range (hence disliking their company). That's why I'm not particularly fond of certain people in my social network. But because positive psychology is vital to one's success, I decided to smile and be friendly whenever they're around. And I walk away feeling damn satisfied with myself.

Gotta go back to my work now. Have a good 2005 while it lasts, and CHEERS to a smashing year ahead!