Spending time with new people fascinates me.
When we meet someone new, we size them up instinctively, in seconds.
Instant judgments are made about their appearance, sense of style, whether we feel a connection, whether we think we'd get along, and so on.
Once the superficial perceptions subside, curiosity arises re the person's background, political inclinations and religion. Some cultures more than others, e.g. Middle Easterners.
Most of the time, it's easy to tell. People give it away immediately, e.g. via comments made during trivial conversations or jewellery they wear, like a necklace with religious meaning.
In rare cases though, you just can't tell. Even if weeks go by, in the case of a new colleague at work, for instance.
They're not loyal to any religion, political party or ideology - everything is up for thought and discussion.
Their positions are unpredictable. On climate change they might be tilting left; on minimum wage policy hard right.
In my experience people like this are lighter to be around, less judgmental and easier to have an open chat with. No preconceived ideas are tattooed in their brain. No collective ego to defend.
Compare that to a religious type, or someone politically set in their ways, always leaning far left or far right, no matter the issue.
Most of the time, the door is closed. Concrete has been poured and set. There's no going back. Discussions often lead to frustration.
When enough time passes and someone just can't tell, I often hear the question "What religion are you?" with a kind of curious look.
For me, that's always a good sign.
When we meet someone new, we size them up instinctively, in seconds.
Instant judgments are made about their appearance, sense of style, whether we feel a connection, whether we think we'd get along, and so on.
Once the superficial perceptions subside, curiosity arises re the person's background, political inclinations and religion. Some cultures more than others, e.g. Middle Easterners.
Most of the time, it's easy to tell. People give it away immediately, e.g. via comments made during trivial conversations or jewellery they wear, like a necklace with religious meaning.
In rare cases though, you just can't tell. Even if weeks go by, in the case of a new colleague at work, for instance.
They're not loyal to any religion, political party or ideology - everything is up for thought and discussion.
Their positions are unpredictable. On climate change they might be tilting left; on minimum wage policy hard right.
In my experience people like this are lighter to be around, less judgmental and easier to have an open chat with. No preconceived ideas are tattooed in their brain. No collective ego to defend.
Compare that to a religious type, or someone politically set in their ways, always leaning far left or far right, no matter the issue.
Most of the time, the door is closed. Concrete has been poured and set. There's no going back. Discussions often lead to frustration.
When enough time passes and someone just can't tell, I often hear the question "What religion are you?" with a kind of curious look.
For me, that's always a good sign.