Re: Is This True? Why or Why not?
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Another reason is my theory that many social conventions which are unthinkingly adopted by most people seem ridiculous to smart people (eg saying "bless you" after someone sneezes) so they have to force themselves to do something that is mildly uncomfortable to them.
[/ QUOTE ]
Clearly, super smart people will view many things differently and have a difficult time connecting with people of average intelligence, but I don't think that (saying "bless you") is a very good example.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes it is. Most people who say bless you dont realize that they are warding off evil spirits from entering into your brain/soul at a time when you are unable to defend yourself, i.e. a sneeze. If they realized this, they would probably be embarrassed to say it. So they tell themselves "its just polite." And sure, maybe it is, but its also ludicrous. I would have a hard time saying bless you to anyone without feeling absurd and self-conscious about it.
There are lots of other things that are just like this, social conventions that make absolutely no sense and are absurd, except most people dont know why they exist in the first place. Like, say, tipping. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
|