Hey Everyone,
If you were to ever see me in public, most likely, I would be reading something. I hate "wasted space" when it comes to time, so whether I'm waiting at a doctor's office, on a break at work, eating alone, or on a treadmill, I'm almost always reading something.
And the number one thing you'll find me reading is a fashion magazine. This is because they're cheap (no one reads things in print anymore, so they're often $5 a year for a subscription), easy-to-read (convenient when facing sudden interruptions), and because they're mine (and not from the library), I don't have to worry if they get torn up or accidentally left behind. I always carry cheap, easy reading materials in my car and in my backpack. I also carry devotionals but usually finish with them pretty quickly.
I have always wondered if people were judging me for what I'm reading. Today I got my answer.
I was at the gym and, in typical fashion (pun intended), was reading a woman's fashion magazine while working out on a stationary bike. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a man in his 70's walked up to me and said, "Now don't go spending all your money on that garbage!" I had to bite my lip (REALLY hard) to keep from saying something sarcastic, but I simply answered, "Oh, I don't buy any of it, I just like to read about it." I shouldn't have to explain myself, but anyone who knows me here knows I am about as opposite from what he assumed as you can get.
I have often wondered if I've missed out on dates from men (hopefully not all 30 years older!!) who saw me reading things like "Vogue"--and assumed I was just another fluffy-headed, self-centered, materialistic woman (as women seem to be so-often stereotyped) who only cares about fashion and expects a man to buy her all the latest material things. As I said, I'm pretty sure today was my resounding answer, and it was discouraging beyond belief.
Another major reason as to why I read fashion magazines is because I'm studying the pictures and trying to figure out how to copy certain elements of the design. As most of you know, clothing construction is one of my hobbies, and one of my dreams is to one day sew clothes for people who are hard to fit (smaller or larger than traditional sizes)/, differently-abled with special needs, and/or self-conscious about features that can be camouflaged by good design. My main interest is always function over frivolity (as well as quality, which is why I like to look at the high-end examples), but everyone wants to look their best, so I understand that color, form, and style are important, too.
The thing is, most guys aren't going to automatically understand that I'm also reading articles about couture sewing techniques I'd like to try myself (all they'll see is me flipping pages upon pages of clothes, leaving them with the impression that this is all I care about.) They'll see me carrying magazines with glossy pictures of glamorized celebrities on the cover, but they don't realize I'm also currently reading an article about how women are surviving in war-torn countries. And I understand that--all of us, to an extent, judge others by what we see (or see them doing.)
I guess all I can do is pray that if I run into Mr. Right someday and I happen to be reading a copy of "Vogue", he'll at least be somewhat open-minded as to why I'm looking at pictures of high-end clothes. I suppose I could try to carry around copies of "Business Weekly" or something, but don't we all want to be liked (and approached) for who we truly are?
And hopefully, any guy who might be kind enough to notice me will also hopefully be keen enough to notice I'm wearing a pair of shorts I've had for 6 years (via Old Navy), and my favorite Spiderman t-shirt (now that's MY idea of "high-swinging fashion".)
Do you find yourself fighting stereotypes about who you are?
Tell us about them.
And, what do you do to cope?
If you were to ever see me in public, most likely, I would be reading something. I hate "wasted space" when it comes to time, so whether I'm waiting at a doctor's office, on a break at work, eating alone, or on a treadmill, I'm almost always reading something.
And the number one thing you'll find me reading is a fashion magazine. This is because they're cheap (no one reads things in print anymore, so they're often $5 a year for a subscription), easy-to-read (convenient when facing sudden interruptions), and because they're mine (and not from the library), I don't have to worry if they get torn up or accidentally left behind. I always carry cheap, easy reading materials in my car and in my backpack. I also carry devotionals but usually finish with them pretty quickly.
I have always wondered if people were judging me for what I'm reading. Today I got my answer.
I was at the gym and, in typical fashion (pun intended), was reading a woman's fashion magazine while working out on a stationary bike. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a man in his 70's walked up to me and said, "Now don't go spending all your money on that garbage!" I had to bite my lip (REALLY hard) to keep from saying something sarcastic, but I simply answered, "Oh, I don't buy any of it, I just like to read about it." I shouldn't have to explain myself, but anyone who knows me here knows I am about as opposite from what he assumed as you can get.
I have often wondered if I've missed out on dates from men (hopefully not all 30 years older!!) who saw me reading things like "Vogue"--and assumed I was just another fluffy-headed, self-centered, materialistic woman (as women seem to be so-often stereotyped) who only cares about fashion and expects a man to buy her all the latest material things. As I said, I'm pretty sure today was my resounding answer, and it was discouraging beyond belief.
Another major reason as to why I read fashion magazines is because I'm studying the pictures and trying to figure out how to copy certain elements of the design. As most of you know, clothing construction is one of my hobbies, and one of my dreams is to one day sew clothes for people who are hard to fit (smaller or larger than traditional sizes)/, differently-abled with special needs, and/or self-conscious about features that can be camouflaged by good design. My main interest is always function over frivolity (as well as quality, which is why I like to look at the high-end examples), but everyone wants to look their best, so I understand that color, form, and style are important, too.
The thing is, most guys aren't going to automatically understand that I'm also reading articles about couture sewing techniques I'd like to try myself (all they'll see is me flipping pages upon pages of clothes, leaving them with the impression that this is all I care about.) They'll see me carrying magazines with glossy pictures of glamorized celebrities on the cover, but they don't realize I'm also currently reading an article about how women are surviving in war-torn countries. And I understand that--all of us, to an extent, judge others by what we see (or see them doing.)
I guess all I can do is pray that if I run into Mr. Right someday and I happen to be reading a copy of "Vogue", he'll at least be somewhat open-minded as to why I'm looking at pictures of high-end clothes. I suppose I could try to carry around copies of "Business Weekly" or something, but don't we all want to be liked (and approached) for who we truly are?
And hopefully, any guy who might be kind enough to notice me will also hopefully be keen enough to notice I'm wearing a pair of shorts I've had for 6 years (via Old Navy), and my favorite Spiderman t-shirt (now that's MY idea of "high-swinging fashion".)
Do you find yourself fighting stereotypes about who you are?
Tell us about them.
And, what do you do to cope?
