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We've all heard it before... "Why can't you just be normal?"

But what is normal?
Is there even such a thing?
If everyone was normal, would anyone be?

Share your opinion

Who is to say what "normal" is. I am normal for me and that is all that counts as far as I am concerned. I don't care if other people think I am off I am not a people pleaser and never will be.

Normal is the routine, and tradition of a general population.

To truly break the norm one must even separate from the Fad, and trend gravity.

In short unpredictable is abnormal. So even the self fancied fringe freaks, are normal.

There is no such thing as normal. It is just a word someone throws at you when you piss them off or are different than them.

I usually say, fuck off.

when someone refers to normal I think it is generally meaning the population standards..acceptable standards of behavior for example

Of course typically people referring to others as normal or not usually have very narrow views of the world

I think we should all strive to live above and beyond and outside of "normal" :)

Normal can vary from person to person. I think surroundings and how one is raised can also determine what is normal for that person. What seems normal to one may be unusual for another. Personally, I think each person being unique is what makes the world what it is. If everyone acted the same, looked the same, thought the same....we wouldnt have many of the great accomplishments that we have today.

Albert Einstein was not considered normal as a child. He didnt speak his first word until the age of either 4 or 5. Look at what he accomplished! Embrace your uniqueness and set your own definition of normal.

Very well put Raven! I believe " normal " is what each person percieves themself to be. What is normal for me is not normal for most, but to me they are the crazy ones and vise versa for them.

Any one who drives slower than you is a jerk and anyone who drives faster than you is an idiot!!

The same perspective is applied to the phrase "Normal".

Normal is a self standard that we as individual apply to ourselves or to others in an attempt to satisfy a perspective that we wish to hold.

@Dabbler, in going with a line from south park "hah I am so much more of a non-conformist, that I am not going to conform with your non-conforming"

Normal is a personal perseption.... there is such thing as normal... it just chanes from person to person... its as much of a grey area as asking what is beautiful... everyone has their own opinion.

Normal is what is socially acceptable. Anything outside of their mental boxes, is considered abnormal.

Conformity for the sake of protest?

Conformity are for those that probably get tired of the battle with others, or looked at strangely....and i've been there myself before. However, one should never back down from who they are or stop protesting what makes you YOU. Eventually they will accept it. lol

Normal is what you actually are not how others interperit you

I dont ever want to be normal because then I would be boring and we all know im a bit on the wierd side and im ok with that.

But who was given the right to set the normality standards?

It is different from every generation- even from state to state. Are they all just as normal as the next?

When I hear people say they want to be accepted, and
be fringe, or edgy, I often wonder if they are not wanting to be embraced emphatically for what they feel is bold expression.

I understand tolerance, but some even take that word to mean, "Be awed at my presence.. But Don't Gawk.
As if they want their cake, and have others nibble it, and tell them how special they are to like their cake.

Some of my friends fit that first statement... personally, I think that they want the close-mindedness of today's society to expand, but also still be considered "different"?

you put it pretty well

Yet their path of "rebellion" is predictable.

In a society that is becoming more lenient to fringe subculture, there are those who will push the envelop, and attempt to get gawks from their own ranks.

It is not uncommon for such individuals to adopt a new
subculture every three months.

It is all costume.

Yet I remind people there is nothing wrong with this in perspective, but when those individuals impose themselves upon their peers, and adherents to the sub culture it is out of bounds behavior, and can perpetuate negative stereotypes about the subculture.

I am usually just myself...

I've had people come up to me and say "you're not doing it right... you're too happy to be a goth"

My friend was getting crap for wearing arm socks from Hot Topic and a shirt from Abercrombie in a photo....

I just find it ridiculous

Normal is such a relative word.

Who is one to say what is normal anyway, considering it's a matter of opinion? My brother thinks being on this site is abnormal though there are over 15,000 who would disagree with him on that. Do I care what he thinks in this case? Of course not considering I have 5 accounts and 2 being above Sire.

oh don't get me started, everything is relative, time, space, normalcy, morality...i could go on for volumes

My blanketed opinion about the term "being normal" , is only what is perceived as the frontal face outwardly portrayed by an individual adhering to social standards set forth by the peers of mainstream society. Unfortunately, more often than not, this is a necessity if one is to say ....enter the job market and that sort.

Although each persons view of normalcy is different , these standards do often apply to some degree if one is to not draw(in some cases unwanted) attention to themselves.

Also being a little out of the ordinary can set yet others apart from the norm in a good way , because of their abilities or talents ect.. This is possible also and more of the path I would choose.

being normal means doing what is considered to be standard be it actions,dress style etc usually this is done by society setting up what is generally excepted

Using any fashion, or subculture, or combination of both to get in the face of others is obvious, and such people are transparent, a person that may have fringe fashion sense will avoid such a person, just as much as a "square" would.

Certain behavior types are shown by such behavior, and while people (teens mostly) go thru those stages most people avoid making acquaintance with them.

No one cares for people acting out, weather they are "normal", "Straight, or Freakish, fringe.. etc.

So it would be more to say..

"Why can't you be who you are."

rather thenn why can't you be "Normal."

All others are acting the clown to make people gawk, so they can have a reason be "peeved" at the world for "hating on them".

The lenght of time one spends in such a phase depends on a few factors, factors I covered in my "Why Stand Out?" thread

yeah... it's quite obvious with the above posts that "normal" is all about PERSONAL perception...Different Society accept different things...

There will always be those who fear their fringe appearance will no longer make people gawk at them, quite frankly because they have nothing else going for them, no personality, or etiquette.

It is these very individuals who instigate confrontation, and sit back to watch the fray after retreating to the flank.

Abnormal behavior.

Such Individuals are about reaction, rather then interaction. which is a basic common social norm.

Yes...one person's normal is another person's bizarre. I guess it's more what is normal to YOU.

Noone or nothing is normal. We are all uniquely individual for a reason.

There is no such thing as normal. What may seem normal to one person will be abnormal to another. Everyone and everything is normal in their own way.

I understand the original question is about people,but I think I might relate something here that I experience everyday in my line of work.
Animals behave within certain parameters according to their species.These behaviours,I would consider "normal" .I will add,that these parameters are pretty large and even when some seem to behave somewhat out of character,and would certainly be considered unusual,they are still within normal standards.

As stated many times above,normal is relative.Take eating dirt for instance..while not a "normal" behaviour by certain standards,for people who suffer from Pica it seems normal .And it is normal for one to do this if they have the disorder.

Normal is the perceived accepted societal guidelines established in the society you live in.

normal is just a state of mind that really doesnt exist because no one can actually be normal cuz there is no standard for said topic

Yet every day we get yahoo individuals who think they are so
bold, and challenging! Set on instigating as much social reaction as they can, rather than social interaction, which requires skills, and self respect, something that such individuals
seriously lack.

So they chatter about.. "Just let me be what i want to be!"

It is really about confrontation, and the evidence is when they instigate moderate affiliates of the subculture they are only adopting for ascetics.

It really is pathetically transparent.

So rather than Normal, I suggest Stable. I have seen how
stable environment crumble when one, or two people instigate
acceptable behavior.

balance is the key to be normal and normal is differently viewed among everyone

What is normal to one is down right weird to another, and what is weird to another is normal to someone else.

So I don't worry about it and just be myself...and of course, that's considered abnormal. go figure.

Why worry about normal? Either people are trying to fit that requirement or are making a point to stray as far away from what they think is normal which is horribly lame and stupid.

We don't know what is normal or natural. Dogs try to hump ducks, people tattoo their faces, animals kill each other for food or just to be violent.

Following a definition of normal does not make you a good person or even a sane person.

nothing is normal. everything is normal. everyone has different aspects of normal. there is not one constant thought. if we were all normal there would be nothing different about the world. here you are considered normal but in your area you may not be. jus believe in yourself and if people dont like how you look tell them to look the other way. we should not care about what others think. your thoghts about you are what matter. hope this helps ya hun. :)

OZ posts:
"So I don't worry about it and just be myself...and of course, that's considered abnormal. go figure."

You make an assumption that you are seen as abnormal, that is normal, and predictable in people who attempt to defy normalcy.

So when a person tells a person who acts out, "Why can't you be normal?"

They are basically saying, why are you so desperate to be flamboyant, and controversial.

Normal for me is a person who is not crazy ^^

demon kitty

"Normal is insanity." rather general wouldn't you say..
I wonder if such a rash statement would be made by someone who failed socially.

Someone who wants people to be astonished by their appearance, or behavior, rather then their personality.

Because socially stable, don't need to make a drama production out of everything they do.

So why would abrasive some be so militant against normal?

Perhaps because they need something to anchor their denial to.

be normal...that is to be able to fit in without causing comment or notice.
its why the wolf wore the sheep skin...to be able to operate freely without notice. if you appear to be more than just a touch outside of the mainstream, you limit your options in society (and in some societies, you could be killed).

its a useful skill to have in life. its also equally important to have a time or place where we can remove the masks and be ourselves.

~W~

Being normal..is to 'blend in' not be noticed.to not stand out in any way possible.you must speak the same,dress,moove,and act the same.
the thing im wondering..is that.
what is the beginning of 'normal'?!
What type of people and culture is all-being normal?!
It seems to me..that the world is FULL of diffrent
people,ways of living,and dress.
So,what group is the normal?!
whatever group that is...
you must fallow and become well-blended into.
you know?!

Normal is nonstandard.
Normal in one location is different from the norm in a different location. So to say it blends is correct, but it is always changing. So to have a concrete idea of normal is impossible to comprehend to a large group of people unless they all share the same ideals in EVERY WAY possible.

Normal can be said to dictate what is tolerable, or acceptable in a particular region.

In a way there are people here who bash at what they deem squares, they make statements like.. "Normal is crazy."

Such behavior fuels the feud, escalates the tensions.

It is normal for people to be Xenophobic, it is an instinct to be weary of those who stand out, to be curious.

Sadly I see people here that are reactionaries right from the assumption that people are "sizing them up".

Those who are more concerned with looking around to see who is gawking, then watching how they portray themselves, as an ambassador to their fringe, or mainstream subculture, practice or belief.

You may be the first exposure they have had to such people, and in one scowl you answer all the potential questions, and inquiries.

I find that a faction of people with fringe practices want people to be astonished by their presence , yet when they get it they scowl, they receive inquiry as scrutiny, and criticism.. so is that normal social behavior?

Normality is how we as beings rationalize what is going on around us, it's a set of standards placed upon humans when they are born, you are taught at a young age, "this is right, this is wrong, dont do that. do this." it's the rationale that in the back of your mind when on the news you see a pale man walking the streets all in black long hair and vampire fangs that you say..."hey..he's not normal.." it's a perspective a viewpoint.

Normal means what is the standard way of attitudes, physical aspects or commonly seen or shared in a group or class. There are a lot of groups that share common interest that is why for other people who belong to a specific class can say you are normal because you belong to our group and some would say you are "abnormal" which is a common term for others or for other people who have different beliefs or perspective because you have different way or standards that are unacceptable for other types of groups. In short, normal doesn't have any general basis for all people whether he is doing it right or wrong. Thus, each of us are unique in our own beliefs.

We are individuals so now a days normal i guess is what is not illegall by law.. LOL What i mean is there are so many people who have diffrent cultures and diffrent lifestyles i am guess the only ones whom Arent considered normal are the law breaker types. Those who go to such extremes that they have to break the law by killing or other gastly acts arent considered normal i am guessing. I am just spit balling here. I truly think that normal is what you make it.

I bet someone else has already said this, but I think "normal" is what you make of it. Most people would think of normal as society the way it should be, businesses running well and so on, but what about psychopaths and serial killers? Wouldn't people like that think of themselves as normal, not giving their actions a second thought?
As I just said - it is what you make of it. Or at least in my opinion

the definition of normal is to each their own due to the fact there is really no way to say if someone is normal because all are different in many ways. so to say if we are normal goes on how we see our selves and the world around.

The problem with defining 'normal' is that it is always subjective. Naturally, I do not believe that there is any such thing as normal, only popularity - and I mean this in a purely statistical sense, not in any value-based sense.

Dabs I quote" Normal can be said to be what is tolerable or acceptable in a region" (Such as V.R.) I am honestly confused?
Does this mean you are coming out of the closet as someone who gets a bit unacceptable and Abnormal?...just saying...

To me, normal is classified by what is socially acceptable. If one day the most popular decided to wear bangs, then all the other "cool kids" will go out and do the same thing just to "fit in" to the "norm".

Normal is always subject to change therefore it's better to stay what you like about yourself, and the style or ways that you are because eventually some cool kid will like it and you will already be ahead of the game.

GK,

Hahah I am so far out of the box, I see even The Fringe Element as Boxers.

i would say that to be normal is relative to what we see as normal. what maybe normal to you may not be to some one else. you see in my world when i was a child normal was watching out for dad when is other personality came out to play. i should explain that more and i will in my journal for all to see and read if they wish.
this question is just like asking some one what is sane or insane in their own part of the universe. to me i prefer being insane in a sane world. much safer in my point of view

Normal is in the mind of the beholder

Normal is just another thing that society, family and friends, forces onto you to pigeon hole you and mould you into their ideal of how you should talk, act and do with your life.

There is no such thing as normal

...an opinion. Something that can be defined in an entirely different way dependent on who you ask.
To be normal, might be strange, relative to who you ask and how they define it.

I agree with "normal" doesn't exist.

A widely varied opinion coined to the term which is vastly overrated.

Ahhh, the concept of Normality is interpreted, always in a different way by the one who is the looker. Nothing is normal and anything is abnormal. Are you confused now?? The moment an event happen, that even, can be seen by many, but everyone will have a different opinion.