We all do it. We all see people and we immediately place them into a social category. Popular (capitol 'P'), Emo & Chav are perhaps the most common. But what right do we have to do this? Usually we make these judgements based on an instant aesthetic assessment and that is no basis to categorise someone by.
Obviously our appearance is, for many, the only way of expressing our personal identity short of carrying a pamphlet outlining all of our likes and dislikes. I don't believe my own appearance to be anything outstanding, I have a simple haircut and wear simple clothes that conform to no particular fashion or trend.
Consequently I think that it is highly unlikely that someone who passed me in the street would be able to place me into any of the three categories I mentioned earlier. Certainly it would be impossible to see that I am a music loving, politically active, computer playing teen.
So it is unfair to assume that a man in his early twenties who wears a track suit is only present with the intention to nick a DVD player on his way to the job centre. Equally unfair is it to assume that persons of an average or lesser level of socially accepted physically beauty are any less able to find happiness and love.
I'm not suggesting that we do all carry a kind of ID pamphlet, that is of course utterly foolish. But I am suggesting that we should try not to crudely label people the instant we set eyes on them. People dress and appear the way they do because that's how the feel comfortable, we should accept that. We certainly shouldn't stereotype or fear someone solely on the basis of appearance that is a dangerous road leading only to social disharmony.
If you feel the inclination, take the time to get to know someone through conversation and by actually spending some time with them. Otherwise leave them to their life and let them leave you to yours.
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