I've never been a behavioral expert but with some self help and inquistion have learnt some of the basics, one of my favorites is the dog whisperer. These days I think I have a decent understanding of what physical, and vocal gestures are meant to accomplish, what I don't get is why people who seem to have an intuitive sense of it all never react to aggressive behavior. Me and a young co-worker were gettig ready to do some work this morning when we noticed there was a big dog in a backyard nearby watching us with a particular interest. He was standing very ridgid, stockily, with grizzled hair and had his tail very acutely pointing upwards. I made a comment about how territorial he appeared and my co-worker who despite being immature, I think he has a good heart and keen understanding of interpersonal interaction seemed offended by it. He responded with a simple "nahhh". Similairily, my father who I think has a good heart was shocked when I told him that our long past away dog that I grew up with had a behavioral issue. He was known for wildly reacting towards childeren and on occasion bit a some of them, he even bit me once. Aggressive posturing is often a sign of some behavioral issue and can give you valuable insight into the nature, history, and problems someone might have, be it a dog or a person. If it's left unchecked long enough you are eventually going to have an incident. Whats shocking to me is that I've seen large groups of people are often unmoved by displays of aggression and never even seem to aknowledge it.
Case in point, nazi germany.
It seems to me that people are generally either too pre-occupied with their own agenda to worry about the world around them or that they feel the safety of their numbers with prevent things from escalating.
On a daily basis from the time I step out of the door I feel the unsettling gaze of people starring at me, which on a primal level is very offensive but communicates to me some widespread insecurities found in people who have never learnt how to act. It is rude, it is aggressive and to me it is very obvious but if you ever bring it up in a conversation people start to think you are paranoid or delusional. The other take on it is that some people like being starred at, even need it for that matter. It's like the world is a big fashion show and they find validity in being scrutinized over. Me, I just ignore it and continue to ignore rude people like that until they show me some respect.
18 Sep 2010, 12:34 am
