Blog 7 - Perception

Not surprising, but very powerful how the impression we have about someone, or the impression someone has about us can influence decisions and attitude. Those perceptions can totally shape the world around us. I am aware of the power of those mind bugs since early age: Since I was a child I always questioned why the bad guy or the witches from cartoons were ugly and the princes, princesses and heroes were always gorgeous. Being disappointed by “beautiful people” (or people who looks like a nice person) and positively surprised by others who look like “bad people” I try and in the majority of the times, I am good trusting people until they prove me wrong. On the same time I highly believe that building relationships is the best way to achieve any outcome so in order to have something done by someone I don’t know much I try to get as closer as I can. Not in a bad and manipulative way but believing that it is more likely that a positive outcome can be raised when people feel important and recognized.

Still, I have few times where my perceptions led me to astray. The only one that I recall is when I was working for Walgreens and I couldn’t believe that seniors were able to shoplift. On the other hand I had many harmful experiences in Brazil with people judging me for being gay: I was locked in a mental clinic for 7 months where people thought I was literally crazy for being gay, others who threaten against my life and even employers who thought I wouldn’t be able to efficiently work because my sexual orientation.  Here I had a couple experiences where people thought I was not able to work well because my limitations with the language. The way I deal with those preconceptions is overcompensating and trying to be my best in all circumstances proving here and back home that my sexual orientation and limitations with English language has no impact in my professional and personal capabilities and values.