That would be me, when people tell other people not to judge.
It's like getting two for the price of one. Not only is the accuser judging the accused, but the accuser is also being hypocritical. It's hilarious!
But I really shouldn't find this amusing.
Believe me when I say though, that if you try to hide a laugh and snort instead, when you hear people say things like this, they do NOT think it's funny.
I'd like to say I've outgrown this behavior, but the truth is, I wasn't like this when I was young. It's just since I've hit my so-called maturity that it makes me laugh.
To illustrate, I had an experience in my early twenties in an apartment house that went like this:
Me: "Hi, I don't think I've met you. I live next door. I'm Rebecca."
New Neighbor: "Rebecca? Aren't you ---'s friend?"
Me, smiling: "Yes."
New Neighbor: "DON'T YOU JUDGE ME!!!!" She practically turned purple when she said this.
Me, smile frozen on face, at a loss for words: "Um... okaaay. Well, it's nice to meet you." I turn to leave.
New Nieghbor: "--- said you're Mormon, and I don't want you judging how I live my life!"
Me: "Alright-y then," Feeling more than a little awkward. But I can tell she wants to talk, so I stay there.
Seriously, I'd never been judged so fast in my life. Most people wait till after they get to know me before they decide they hate me.
Maybe I should have been offended. Maybe I should have made a snide remark or been sarcastic after that, but clearly there was an interesting story there.
So often that's the way it is. I don't think it's human nature to go around being suspicious of everyone, but negative things happen and people gradually get that way. Does that mean we should add to their angst by being nasty?
The irony of this situation was, we turned out to be great friends that summer. I moved a bunch of states away so it didn't last, but we had a lot of fun. She did have a very interesting story behind her attitude too, but it's hers to tell, not mine.
