STEREO-types

     Well readers today's post is going to take a very different turn from my recent writings. I'm tired of being sad and being in my funk and the only person who can change that is me. I vowed to myself this morning to do whatever I had to do to make my day better.
     So anyway enough of that talk. In the last few of months I have found myself in a very strange situation. It only happened twice, but it made me stop and think.
    The first time, I was at a small gathering of friends. Everyone was everywhere. Darts, beer pong, people just hanging out. Insignificant except someone's phone was plugged up to the speakers and it began playing a country song. In this particular crowd it went unnoticed. Now, I can't remember the song but I know that it was older. I'm going to guess late 90s, during my prime of learning lyrics.
    I began to sing the song while carrying on with what I was doing only to be interrupted by a friend of mine. "How do you know this song?" It seemed like a ridiculous question, everyone knew this song I thought. I proceeded to explain to him that I was raised on country music. "Wow" he said. "I never would have known by the way you dress."
     I was taken back. That was an outrageous accusation. I never knew the way I dressed dictated the type of music I listened to. The night continued and the incident was forgotten.
     Then a few nights ago I went bowling with a group from my work. Now, these people aren't people I usually see outside of work. Because of that we have very limited views of each other. We see each other in uniform and we sing whatever music is on the radio. We have no control and very little self expression.
      While bowling a Shania Twain song came on. It was out of place on the play list, but I didn't complain. Late 90s once again and Shania was a favorite of mine growing up. A girl I haven't had the chance of working a lot with looked at me during my grand finale, freestyle, karaoke and said "you're the last person I thought would know this song."
      I was flabbergasted. It had happened again. I laughed and said once again "I was raised on country music."
     I started thinking about the kind of music I listen to and the kind of music those around me listen to. People with gauges typically listen to rock music. People who wear a lot of Polo usually listen to rap music. People who drive big trucks with Browning symbols mostly listen to country. I guess that leaves  trendy, blonde girls (i.e. me) with the top 40 music. 
     All of this is just completely wrong. How much our music world is based on stereotypes is overwhelming. I like cute clothes and good music no matter the style or sound and I'm willing to bet I'm not the only one who feels this way. 
     I'm not sure the lesson this was supposed to convey. Maybe just to open our eyes to change. Saving ourselves one stereotype at a time. 

- Stay Sassy, A.