I ask these questions cause it has been something I have been thinking of in regards to how people see me in society. Some people tell me up front that I am nice, have a great energy and give great hugs. But outside of that, when I go out into the world do people look down on me because I wear a bright orange shirt that says Allmart or do they they look up to me because I have chosen the route of being a business owner?
I was having this discussion with my sister where I mentioned that as we go through the world we look at people and place them in a mental box of being in a higher status bubble or a lower status bubble. These depend on:
1. Age
2. Experience
3. Knowledge
4. Wealth
5. Masculinity
6. Race
Age
When you first see someone and they are older, it is more likely that people around them will show them a higher level of respect in society. They are expected to have experienced more and know more than people younger them. It may change when they open their mouth or when they do certain things; but primarily, just looking at them you look at them and their status in society is quite high.
Experience
Experiece, especialy in the arts and work world, adds to your social status. The more experience one has over others makes them more valuable. The more technical the field the more respect people have in society. A lawyer who recently passed the Bar and never stepped foot in a courtroom, is seen as the lowest status in the firm, compared to a lawyer who has been operating for the past 5 years and is a regular in the courtroom.
Knowledge
Crazy thing about knowledge is that most of the time you can't tell how knowledgable someone is until you start to get to know them better. Knowing a lot about one thing and knowing a little about everthing is one of the greatest things one can have. Both of these people know that they dont know anything and strive to learn more. As soon as you open your mouth and express your knowledge the higher your status rises!!! People begin to realize that people with knowledge are not pushovers and gain a higher levele of respect.
Wealth
With wealth there is a higher chance of gaining more experiences and knowledge. So people seeing you with wealth will automatically want to suck up to you. Whether you are a politician, businessperson, investor, family wealth, society puts you on a higher pedestal than others.
Masculinity
Look at a child and have its mother give it a directive versus its father. There is a subconscious level of superiority that comes with Masculinity. Whether it is the deeper voice, the bigger size, the strength, there is a level of superiority that masculinity receives. The reason I use Masculinity instead of the male sex is because there are women who has more masculinity than some men. Their voices are deep and carry authority, their body stature is bigger (taller, bulkier), they are strong and know how to use their strength. Even though a more masculine woman is still lower than a masculine man, a masculine woman trumps an effeminate man.
Race
When it comes to race, this is what you were taught by the people around you. You could be raised in a place where it is predominantly black but the white people have the power roles in society, you will think that white people have superiority over you. With how the world is socialized, unless the place is only one race, white people have been given priority and superiority.
Plus with all of these categories you have a high chance of meeting new people who may benefit you in many ways. Even if it is to introduce you to others or share your name to people who may need your services.
So let me give you an idea of how the categories above work:
Elon Musk - White, Rich, Man, Experience in tech, Knowledge of tech, and is in his 50s.
Musk is seen at a higher esteem than a black woman starting a business, with knowledge in customer service and experience in hospitality and is in her 30s.
That is also a reason why people sue for defamation and slander. Trying to taint a persons social status in society has critacal affects in their life.
Some people are born into a lower status and are treated as such, while some are born into a higher status and exploit it to their benefit.
Is there any other categories you think affects how people see and categorize others?
OXXO
Mayeshah!!!
