Norm Violation Research Paper
Description of the Norm Violated
We have always been used to the thought of having the proper dress for every occasion and every place. This was already taught to us while we were still young. With this project I tried to let go of that norm and made something out of the ordinary to make an illusion of what it will be like if people dress improperly in a certain place.
In a public market, people usually wear simple clothes, i.e. shorts/pants and shirts. It is a place where independent merchants sell their products like fresh produce, baked goods, locally raised meats, dairy products, handcrafted goods, etc. The market also emphasize food, clothing and artisanal products reflective of the ethnicities in their respective regions. …show more content…
One day, I gave the market fashion style a little twist. I wore my two Cosplay attire. I acted as a customer wearing my Anime costume, a school girl at first, and roam around the market. After the school girl attire, I change my outfit into something more artistic, something like a warrior. I choose the gamer attire with a weapon. I greet the people with greetings like it was from an ordinary set-up, however, I also gave a little show to emphasize my character as a Cosplayer like doing different poses using my sword (my weapon).
Expression I Get from the People
Being different is not easy. It lets you feel that you are an outcast of the society or a certain group. People may respond to you positively or negatively. Their respond may depend whether they like your behavior or not. In this project, I can see that there are others who were amazed while others were curious. In my school girl attire, their reactions were are not obvious but I can see their curiosity from their eyes. Others asked me personally from what school I am because my anime character is Kagome, who is a school girl. Others thought that there was a Cosplay event in the market. When I changed my outfit into something like a warrior, people’s reactions are very obvious already compared to the school girl attire that I’ve worn. A jeepney even stopped and the driver told me that I am Krystala (a heroin played by Miss Judy Ann Santos in one of ABS-CBN primetime show). A group of boys asked me if my sword was true and I told them the truth that it was just made out of wood. They loved my sword and they were amazed of the materials used to make that kind of weapon. The children asked me of what costume I was wearing and I told them that it’s Rinoa’s costume from Final Fantasy. When I told them that, they were amazed and they told me that they know Rinoa because they’re fans of Final Fantasy. Others even asked me how much I’ve spent for that costume but I just smile and told them “secret” as my respond. While other people got fascinated by my attire, others also think that I am crazy and just seeking for attention.
Doing things beyond what is normal creates curiosity. It makes those who are conventional think of what made the other do the untraditional manner of doing things. It invites criticisms and negative insights. But on a positive note, it also allows human to evolve, to think beyond the box and be innovative. It also allows an individual to gain more knowledge of what could be wrong and what could be right.
What I Feel in Doing the Norm Violation
In violating the norm, I felt embarrassed. I am used to do the Cosplay, but I am not used to do it in the public market. The experience was new. That was the first time that I wore an anime costume in a public market since Cosplay events are usually held inside the mall or inside the school. I have never tried it alone. I usually do it with my fellow Cosplayers. Cosplaying alone is another new experience of me. I really felt the shame for I was the only one wearing anime attire and for the very first time, I lose my confidence. In doing the norm violation, many “what ifs” had come up on my mind.
I was afraid to the point I was being very careful of my actions and of my words because I am in the place that I’m not familiar with and I’m surrounded by people whom I didn’t know. I was also afraid because of the fact that there might be some guys who will disrespect me and who will make fun of me. But thank goodness it didn’t happen.
Aside from feeling embarrassed, I also had fun in doing the norm violation. I was having fun looking and observing people around me as they watched me roaming around the market. Even if I felt ashamed, I still felt the freedom of expressing myself and being the person I wanted to be. It made me feel I was breaking boundaries and making new ones.
In this kind of experience, aside from feeling embarrassed, being afraid, and being happy, I am also thankful because of this rare opportunity that has given to me. I’m thankful because of the new experience that had brought to me. It challenged me a lot. It tested how strong my self confidence is and it also made me realized that, despite of the fact that I am the kind of person who doesn’t really violate norms, I am still an imperfect human being, that I can still violate norms if I want to. I realized that I can do things in which I thought I can never do and I am very thankful for
that.
We have always been used to the thought of having the proper dress for every occasion and every place. This was already taught to us while we were still young. With this project I tried to let go of that norm and made something out of the ordinary to make an illusion of what it will be like if people dress improperly in a certain place.
In a public market, people usually wear simple clothes, i.e. shorts/pants and shirts. It is a place where independent merchants sell their products like fresh produce, baked goods, locally raised meats, dairy products, handcrafted goods, etc. The market also emphasize food, clothing and artisanal products reflective of the ethnicities in their respective regions. …show more content…
One day, I gave the market fashion style a little twist. I wore my two Cosplay attire. I acted as a customer wearing my Anime costume, a school girl at first, and roam around the market. After the school girl attire, I change my outfit into something more artistic, something like a warrior. I choose the gamer attire with a weapon. I greet the people with greetings like it was from an ordinary set-up, however, I also gave a little show to emphasize my character as a Cosplayer like doing different poses using my sword (my weapon).
Expression I Get from the People
Being different is not easy. It lets you feel that you are an outcast of the society or a certain group. People may respond to you positively or negatively. Their respond may depend whether they like your behavior or not. In this project, I can see that there are others who were amazed while others were curious. In my school girl attire, their reactions were are not obvious but I can see their curiosity from their eyes. Others asked me personally from what school I am because my anime character is Kagome, who is a school girl. Others thought that there was a Cosplay event in the market. When I changed my outfit into something like a warrior, people’s reactions are very obvious already compared to the school girl attire that I’ve worn. A jeepney even stopped and the driver told me that I am Krystala (a heroin played by Miss Judy Ann Santos in one of ABS-CBN primetime show). A group of boys asked me if my sword was true and I told them the truth that it was just made out of wood. They loved my sword and they were amazed of the materials used to make that kind of weapon. The children asked me of what costume I was wearing and I told them that it’s Rinoa’s costume from Final Fantasy. When I told them that, they were amazed and they told me that they know Rinoa because they’re fans of Final Fantasy. Others even asked me how much I’ve spent for that costume but I just smile and told them “secret” as my respond. While other people got fascinated by my attire, others also think that I am crazy and just seeking for attention.
Doing things beyond what is normal creates curiosity. It makes those who are conventional think of what made the other do the untraditional manner of doing things. It invites criticisms and negative insights. But on a positive note, it also allows human to evolve, to think beyond the box and be innovative. It also allows an individual to gain more knowledge of what could be wrong and what could be right.
What I Feel in Doing the Norm Violation
In violating the norm, I felt embarrassed. I am used to do the Cosplay, but I am not used to do it in the public market. The experience was new. That was the first time that I wore an anime costume in a public market since Cosplay events are usually held inside the mall or inside the school. I have never tried it alone. I usually do it with my fellow Cosplayers. Cosplaying alone is another new experience of me. I really felt the shame for I was the only one wearing anime attire and for the very first time, I lose my confidence. In doing the norm violation, many “what ifs” had come up on my mind.
I was afraid to the point I was being very careful of my actions and of my words because I am in the place that I’m not familiar with and I’m surrounded by people whom I didn’t know. I was also afraid because of the fact that there might be some guys who will disrespect me and who will make fun of me. But thank goodness it didn’t happen.
Aside from feeling embarrassed, I also had fun in doing the norm violation. I was having fun looking and observing people around me as they watched me roaming around the market. Even if I felt ashamed, I still felt the freedom of expressing myself and being the person I wanted to be. It made me feel I was breaking boundaries and making new ones.
In this kind of experience, aside from feeling embarrassed, being afraid, and being happy, I am also thankful because of this rare opportunity that has given to me. I’m thankful because of the new experience that had brought to me. It challenged me a lot. It tested how strong my self confidence is and it also made me realized that, despite of the fact that I am the kind of person who doesn’t really violate norms, I am still an imperfect human being, that I can still violate norms if I want to. I realized that I can do things in which I thought I can never do and I am very thankful for
that.