It's difficult not to judge. Just as much as I hate being subjected as such, I can't help but do it myself. Science explains the tendency to 'judge a book by its cover' as an early warning defense system. If a person or place doesn't look safe / sane / nice, then perhaps it is best if you stay away, because you might get hurt. This is reducing 'judgment' to its most primitive form of course. But nonetheless, I am convinced this is why people judge others.
As mentioned above, I have had my share of surprises from people, some that I had judged to be good, others bad. Humans never cease to amaze me with their capability for surprise. Sometimes, you think you know a person, only for them to stab you in the back. (How bitter.) Anyways. The point is, I have found that you can never say you really know a person unless you've seen them at their worst, or when push comes to shove. When people's backs are up against the wall, that's when you see who they really are. Take this story for example:
I once trusted a (what I thought) was a good friend with my electric guitar. I had known this person for the better part of a year and played in a band with him. However, after I lent him my prize possession, he suddenly disappeared without a trace. So much for friends. I later found out that he was strapped for cash, due to an out of control gambling habit - in short he owed some big people an equally big amount of cash. That taught me a lesson in trust and boundaries with people. I'm a much more cautious person nowadays, when lending people my things.
But for all the capacity for double crossing, some people surprise me with their capacity to perform. Many a time have I thought that certain people couldn't or wouldn't contribute to academic projects, only for them to pull through. Just goes to show there's always two sides that need to be examined.
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