Every single person that lives on this earth is different. They like different songs, have different jobs, enjoy different pastimes. Sure, there are specific things like road trips or chocolate chip cookies that a good percentage of people like to do, but that doesn’t mean that’s how every person is.

Example one, I am a girl. I’ve had people assume that I hate sports, I don’t like the outdoors, and I care way too much about the way I look. Honestly, it’s a little offensive when someone just outright thinks I’m a certain way without even trying to get to know me first or even bother to ask me. I enjoy sports and spend every second I can outside. I am not a stereotype, I am a person.

Example two, I am planning on being an English major. Whenever I tell people this, 99% of the time they follow up with this: “Oh, so you want to be a teacher?”. No, I don’t want to become a teacher. But because it’s a popular use of that major they just assume that’s what I’m going for. It’s not a big deal, but as an English major, I know that there’s so much more you can do with this major, and no one ever gives it credit.

So instead of just jumping to the first thing you think of, try asking, “What do you want to do with that major?” I’d be willing to tell you. This can go for every major out there too. You’ll find people out there who are doing exactly what you’d expect, but there’s also a lot of people who have other ideas.

Example three, culture. Now, this doesn’t affect me as much, but it affects a lot of people. There are so many stereotypes on the different races and ethnic groups that people have created over the years. Things like “Black people are fast” and “Asians are good at math”. It goes on and on. Most of the time it’s just rude to say to people, especially if they aren’t a close friend to you.

There’s so much we can do to fix these issues.

Instead of just assuming that someone doesn’t want to go to a sporting event because they’re a girl, ask her. It’s so much easier to just ask another person about something than assume they are one way and risking the chance of offending them. You aren’t getting to the solution or answer faster by assuming. Stereotypes are not always true. You will find people who fit stereotypes almost perfectly, but that isn’t very likely. Everyone is different. People are not stereotypes. People are people, and all you have to do is ask.