[shakespeare47]

I have on occasion, been called weird. Have you? What did you make of it?

Virtually every time I've had it happen, it's basically been a threat, or something done out of spite.

Like the thought process is, "you won't do what I want? Okay, then, I'm just going to keep telling you how weird you are unless you change. If you won't change, then I'm going to try to convince everyone else that you are weird."

I've been thinking of Albert Ellis in this context. I think it's why he encouraged people to embarrass themselves on purpose, in order that they might get used to the judgments, and realize they aren't life threatening.

[avlady]

that is how comedians get their start, by being different and seem weird to some

[shakespeare47]

I usually try to ignore someone who behaves in this way (making accusations of weirdness to get a reaction), but I think it might be time for me to find some way to communicate to the person that I don't like what he is doing.

No I haven't been outright called 'weird', but I know I'm a little off-beat and non-standard in many ways, some of my friends have called me 'non-conventional'. I'm okay with that, I have got to the stage in life where I'm not too bothered about 'fitting in' at the expense of not being true to myself, life is too short for that.

'Weird' sounds to me a value judgement, probably says more about them and their own value system than you. Personally I would shrug it off, you're unlikely to alter their behaviour, but it's your call.

[passionfruit3]

I've been called weird recently I've also been called dysfunctional in the past it hurt a lot I hated the person (my cousin) who said it and my sister who did nothing to defend me against these attacks

Sent from my LGMS659 using Tapatalk

I've been called odd but generally that seems to have been in a positive way as it is usually followed by a comment that the wierdness makes me fun to be around.

[shakespeare47]

I've been trying to root out irrational beliefs, and I think I have stumbled on 2 more.
1. No one may call me weird
2. If they do call me weird, then I can't take it.

Both of those beliefs are obviously irrational.

If someone were to say to me in a friendly way, "you're weird", then that would be no big deal. When they say "you're weird" in a rejecting, mean way, then I do find that to be disappointing.

Even though it is disappointing, it is obviously survivable.

[-jimi-]

You can't use my weirdness against me. I am an unusual person. I don't mind. I don't need to blend in for the sake of it. So if people say Oh look, you're not a copy of others, I say OK I know that. They cannot use it as a weapon.

But if they pull out particular weaknesses, things I do suck at that I would want to be better at, that can hurt.

people think i'm weird because i don't use social networking websites like facebook

but my argument is.. i don't want them in my life, i don't need them in my life- and i've enough to deal with

i honestly don't care.. my response is, well, no i don't- but i have my reasons.. i'm sure their's something you don't do what the rest of us do

people think my music tastes can be strange too

i like emilie autumn for example- and a lot of people ask me- why the hell do you want to listen to a strangled cat sing?. she clearly wasn't trained

but i really don't care.. i don't.

what's normal anyway- perhaps we're all weird in our own ways

[Skeezyks]

Don't know... don't care...

Some people think I'm eccentric or weird....doesn't bother me a bit. I'm just me and part of my personality is that I'm independent and care-free as to other people judging me. I dyed my hair purple awhile back and love it, lol. I don't care what people think but I've gotten a lot of compliments surprisingly lol....I say just be yourself and be kind to others. If someone is being repeatedly negative to you, stay away. That's how I live my life and it works pretty well. Take care.

@shattered sanity....I don't use Facebook or any social media, either. =]

[The_little_didgee]

People have called me weird as well. I know I am a bit different and am fine with the way I am. It bothered me when I was younger. Now I don't feel threatened by people and their insults. I'm not here to win a popularity contest and be liked by the majority.

When I met my closest friend back in 1997, a volunteer coordinator warned him that I was a strange women who should be avoided, while we were both volunteering at a festival. He ignored her advice.

I also don't use social media at all. I don't even have a cell phone.

[HowDoYouFeelMeow?]

I've been called quirky, so probably. I'd rather be weird than typical, though. Anyways, Alfred Adler sad that the only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.

[itsgettinglate]

People tend to think I'm something of an enigma. Maybe not quite weird, but certainly different.

Some of the ways I'm different are positive or could be played as positive if I wanted to accentuate them, but I can't see it that way because I see my differences as part of why I'm so marginalized.

[TishaBuv]

My mother said she knew I was weird when I was a toddler and she offered me a lollipop in every color, and I chose the green one.

People have told me that they are impressed by how I just am myself and don't care what people think. They admire it. Even in high school, I was never one of the sheep.

So, yes, I am weird, but I carry it off with such confidence and don't give a **** what people think. People admire that, because honestly, people don't know what to think.

That line from Going Underground by The Jam "The public wants what the public gets..."

[*Laurie*]

It seems to me that people think I'm quite normal, not weird at all...and it is difficult because I struggle to be normal. Not many people have any idea of how hard I struggle.

I've been called all sorts of things by all sorts of people. Furthermore, I have 0% control over the decisions made by another person.

[10yrsgone]

I find this is a byproduct of being one's self.

People tell you in school, college, et cetera, to "be yourself", unique, one's own person, et cetera.

They don't tell you that being a unique individual often comes with its own set of struggles. I am often caught speechless in conversations with friends who obsess over the details of mainstream TV shows I've never seen or topics I have very little knowledge about, so I have little else to do but nod, stand there awkwardly and B.S. my way through it.

The positive is that, sometimes, you develop these strong, unique friendships with people who are more alike you than you imagine. Maybe optimistic wishful thinking, but these friendships are truly special. If you only have a handful of them, you are extremely fortunate.

Other times, you find that "opposites attract" and you make friendships/relationships out of people who you share nothing in common with but don't find mutually intimidating enough to talk with.

I identify with outsiders. Some of my favorite fictional characters have been those who are abnormal (my avatar is one of them). I guess it hits very close to home for me because I've been there myself.

I don`t care what people think of me. I am in my own little world and that is where I stay. I had a Funeral last Thursday for my wifes step dad, they loaded me up on so many pain pills and valium so I could handle the couple hours being out of bed. Them Saturday, my youngest daughter got married. I had to load up on everything again, just so I could walk her down the aisle. I would have done it in a hospital bed, if I had to!. After the wedding thou, my wife took me home and I went straight to bed. I am sorry I missed a lot of things but none of these people know how much pain I am in everyday and how much I hate being around people. That is just me. I do not like people anywhere near me and it will be that way until I die in a few years!!!

eccentric, that's a good word

[Onward2wards]

I have been called "quirky".
I am Quirky McQuirkface, and there can be only one. Whoo-ah.

Do I care? I used to, but anymore, ask Al Pacino. He says it better than I can. (trigger warning for mild language, this movie's dialogue gets a bit salty, you have been warned. Ha!)

[Twisted Hell]

I have, but I embrace my strangeness and weirdness, I will say things back like "I know I'm weird that's because I'm awesome" sometimes I even call myself weird, I'm not ashamed it it means I'm different then they are and I would never be hurt or even slightly take it as an insult.

Originally Posted by rainyday107

@shattered sanity....I don't use Facebook or any social media, either. =]

thank god i'm not the only one.

was getting worried for a second

[cinnamonstick]

Originally Posted by shakespeare47

I have on occasion, been called weird. Have you? What did you make of it?

Virtually every time I've had it happen, it's basically been a threat, or something done out of spite.

Like the thought process is, "you won't do what I want? Okay, then, I'm just going to keep telling you how weird you are unless you change. If you won't change, then I'm going to try to convince everyone else that you are weird."

I've been thinking of Albert Ellis in this context. I think it's why he encouraged people to embarrass themselves on purpose, in order that they might get used to the judgments, and realize they aren't life threatening.

People who call you "weird" are threatened by your individuality. Let's face it, most people are lemmings. Think of all of the creatives in this world and how they were perceived and ostracized. We wouldn't have music, art or many inventions if these "weird" people didn't exist.
Name calling, and labeling are done by the immature and closed minded. Pay them no heed!! IT IS A COMPLIMENT!!!!!!!