Why are people so quick to judge?

We all do it. Judge each other. Often, not even giving the other person a chance. Despite the famous saying: Don’t judge a book by its cover. We do. Generally, we barely let someone walk into a room, before we have made up our mind and formed a conclusive opinion.

Why are we so judgemental? There is so much more than meets the eye. Personalities, kindness, friendliness, love, experiences, health. They say that first impressions are made in the first 7 seconds of meeting someone. But is that really giving people a chance? Even after a day you can’t really judge as that could be a bad day for the person. They may not be feeling well, had a bad day or just not be in a good mood. We can’t be perfect all the time!
How well do you really know the person? Nobody really knows what people go through in their private life. Health or mental health struggles, financial struggles or family worries to name a few. Some people may have a certain insight, while others may not. Some people are very private people so will not disclose, or maybe they feel ashamed, or that people will judge.

When you judge peoples actions do you really know the whole story? There maybe reasons behind what they have done.

Recently, this photo went viral on social media. It is an example of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It is a blind person using her phone. The photo said: ‘If you can see what’s wrong say I see it 😎.’ Suggesting that she was faking it. Most people who are registered blind, have some sight. Blind people do use phones. Like everybody else. Current technology and apps make it easier, for example enlarging font and voice activation.

Disabled parking can be another one. I am lucky, I have never had any comments, but then that is probably because my disability is visable. I am a powerchair user. I can’t really hide that. Having said that, sometimes I see people look when Mum or Dad get out of the car. If they have not seen me inside, you can see the cogs turning!… ‘Well they don’t look disabled!’
Some people, with invisible disabilities have suffered terrible abuse and notes left on their cars by people. Thinking they know all about their life. Pain is invisible and people deal with it in different ways. It drives me mad, when people think they know, or can judge how much pain you are in. You don’t see the effect of that shopping trip, on the person. You just see that you think they have no problem walking, for the 5 metres you see them walk.

The damage and upset it can cause people is huge. So just think, before you give that judgemental look or voice your opinion.

With my life, I don’t think you can have a proper idea of what goes on, unless you are with me for a week 24 hours a day.

People judge about what people do. ‘They can’t be that ill if they have managed to do all that.’ But you don’t really know what a person has gone through to achieve that. The price they have paid for it, recovering from something.
Being someone with a chronic illness, I often push myself too hard and suffer as a result. However, I want to live my life, I don’t want to miss out on opportunities if I can help it.

Whether you are abled bodied or not people judge.

If you do one positive thing today, try and not judge someone immediately … Give them a chance! Smile and think the best of people.

Hannah x