Judging People

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
That’s to avoid judging someone based on the physical appearance which is applicable when the physical appearance and internal (intelligence, emotions, spiritual, etc) qualities don’t match up to the same level. What about judging people for what they do, what they are?
Someone told me, “I just don’t judge people.”

Really? I don’t believe that’s even true 1%. Because everyone judges everyone else (and ourselves) up to a certain point. Do you think you are smart? Why? Are you talented in kicking the ball? How accurate are you at estimating the stock price for next week? Are you a teacher? When are you going to finish your 5th PhD?

We see rapists, murderers as bad people. We judged their actions of taking other people’s rights as a violation and thus, their actions speak of their character and behaviour. Would you say they had done bad things but they are good people? In what situation? Just because they were raped or witnessed a murder when they were younger and now are on a twisted revenge? What if a murderer was just an ordinary person before he/she committed a murder - he/she had never deliberately hurt others and himself/herself?

We judged Mother Theresa and Gandhi to be kind people for what they sacrificed and the charities and life improvements they did for other people (and themselves). To whom? Certainly the children looked up to them - they were helped by these people. Did they help terrorists (who also have their own family) and greedy corporations?

That someone said that (possibly) because I disclosed that his boss is a wolf. He thought I was too harsh and shouldn’t judge him like that. Well, had he been the subject of staring from head to toe and back? Had he been eyeballed, ogled and mentally stripped by his boss?
People formed opinions after experience or hear/read about whatever linked to others. Of course sometimes people do jumped to conclusions.

Everyone of us have different facets (faces, behaviour, personality) that we show to different people in different event or place. Maybe you dressed conservatively and appeared religious during day but at night, you party in camisole and miniskirt. Maybe you smoked like there’s no air at home, even in front of your child who has asthma but stops when you are at office because you want to show to your colleagues and managers that you are health-conscious or you’d be fired. Maybe your boss treats his/her managers with politeness & meekness but shouts and demean you/your colleagues/subordinates. His/Her bosses would definately love him/her for being so agreeable (if they are my-way-or-highway-boss) but his/her subordinates would hate to work with such an inconsiderate boss.

Does it make a person kind if he/she treats you well? Do you think of a person as kind, helpful and nice after he/she has done something that will give you benefit/convenience? Do you care if he/she treats others well?

There are rich people who treat others with charm, respect and understanding. Yet there are some rich people who think they own the earth and whoever that does not have their standard of education, wealth, living, etc doesn’t deserve even to be looked at - except when you snap your fingers to order food.

Oh, yeah. I’m not going to deny that. I stand by my point and believe that judging people and actions is a good thing - it can help me make better decisions. Imagine asking someone who doesn’t have any judgement (read: opinion). The reply is, “I don’t know.”

Introducing our new Path Tracker, MJ.