3 things I would change in the world

If I had to make a list of all the things I would change in the world and order it by significance, these three things probably wouldn't be in the top 10. Still, this blog is all about showing the world what is going on in my head, so here are three things from this past week that I would change if the opportunity was presented:

1) Restroom doors
Really now. No one wants to grab the handle that thousands of strangers have gripped immediately after using the restroom and not washing their hands. It's just gross. Yet, it seems like the doors on 95% of the bathrooms open inwards. Why do they do that? Is it really that much harder to install the door hinges on the other side so that you can push the door open with your foot?

2) Politicians should talk about what they represent.
Imagine this: I walk into a job interview wearing a freshly pressed suit. Every detail of my appearance is perfect, and my experience is ideal for the position. I sit down with the employer and we engage in a deep conversation in which my charisma and subject knowledge impress the interviewer. He or she then asks for a copy of my resume. I open my dark leather briefcase and pull out a sheet. I then hand the interviewer a picture of me with a flag waving in the background and large red print reading "Hire Me!" Ridiculous, eh? And yet, that is all we get from the people who are applying for this country's most important jobs. We don't even get the opportunity to interview the candidates, except with the presidential candidates who are forced into debates. Most of the politicians seem to avoid the issues altogether.

Let's see... should I vote for the man with a flag in the background, the man with a picture of the rocky mountains digitally added behind him, or that lady holding the smiling three-year old? Which poster do I trust? I'm pretty sure that all of the posters are biased based on their personal acquaintances with the candidates. In fact, I'm almost certain that none of the posters have given the subject any real thought. Some might argue that candidates don't need to emphasize their goals, experience, or ideals because this is Utah and everyone votes Republican anyway. Then again, maybe everyone votes for the same party each time BECAUSE no one talks about the issues. Let's just hope that the information age and the upcoming generations (that would be us) demand a solution.

3) Let's rethink social norms.
People everywhere seem to be bound by some set of unspoken rules. We are expected to conform to strange social expectations that conflict with the ideals of a perfect world. Have you ever stepped into an elevator or found yourself sitting next to someone in a waiting room for awhile, and not said a single word? Maybe you are waiting in line at the store or sitting next to a stranger on a long flight. Chances are you will pretend that they don't exist, and they will do the same. Why do you refuse to talk to them? Why do you only glance their way when you think they aren't looking? When your eyes meet, why do you both quickly turn away hoping that they didn't notice when you both know exactly what happened? Not only is it odd and completely void of logic, but you are missing out on the opportunity to make a new friend, meet someone interesting, or learn something that you might have never even considered.

Characters in movies and books seem to meet complete strangers and strike up excellent conversations all the time, and why not? Just the other day I ended up being alone for a couple of hours with someone I had just met. We had a great conversation and enjoyed one another's company. We even made some connections and found some similar interests. It was great! So why can't that be the case with everyone we meet? Why do we insist on playing games with relationships? Why can't we be honest and respectful of one another? Quite honestly, I would much rather have someone tell me how they feel (for better or worse) than to play games or pretend. I won't be rude or awkward. I'm an adult. If someone can approach a situation like an adult, then I can respond accordingly. There's no reason why two mature people need to hide their thoughts from each other. Tell it like it is, and deal with it in the best way possible.

So, what am I doing about this issue? It's something we each have to take on personally. I suppose the first thing we need to do is question everything. Is there a reason for what we are doing, or are we just following a poorly devised social tradition? If there's no reason for it and there's a better way, then we should go for it. I've also been focusing a lot on eye contact. Rather than walking down across campus trying to avoid eye contact, I have been making a point of staring directly into the eyes of everyone I pass. Some people fall back into their secluded world of inexplicable social expectations, but some people instead find interest, and perhaps comfort, in a passing smiling person who refuses to pretend he or she doesn't exist. Sometimes the people I cross paths with explode into a glowing smile. So, what's the harm in that? Lastly, just talk to people! Say hello, introduce yourself, or maybe share a compliment. We all live here together, let's act like it, eh!