Breaking Norms In American Culture

As our society evolves, our norms do as well. With the rising acceptance of homosexuality, body modification, and ambiguous gender roles, the American culture is still transitioning causing many to wonder what are considered norms. While these people are trying to figure out the new norms of this fast paced society, I found myself breaking one of the most basic norms. With my giant, fluffy robe I went to Meijer’s, Taco Bell, and the gym.
When first getting out of my car with my friends to head into Meijer’s I initially felt nervous. Entering the store, I felt several eyes on me, the appearance of the bystanders’ faces were that of confusion, skepticism, and straight up judgment. My friends even joked about pretending not to know me and keeping

their distance. It seemed as though no one wanted to be associated with a norm violator. The perception of breaking a norm doesn’t just affect you but, the ones who you are with as well. I have no doubt that some individuals at Meijer’s thought I was mentally ill. All the same, it is not every day that you see a girl walking around a store in a robe cradling a box of orange juice. Yet, as time went on, I began to forget I was in a bathrobe and feel more comfortable in the store. There were a few people in their pajamas that made me feel slightly better about myself. In spite of this, in a normal situation if I were to see someone in their pajamas in the middle of the day, I would immediately judge them. The stereotyping would begin to occur, assuming they are lazy, do not care, and so forth.
Wearing my robe to the gym by far got the most responses in the context. If anyone has ever walked on a treadmill with a robe on I would be quite impressed; it is not an easy task. While I was doing this, more than anything I just wanted to cover myself up and hide. I had zero support with my friends on this endeavor. They all refused to go to the gym with me while I was in a bathrobe. Without their help, I found it was more difficult to break a social norm by myself. This event would have to be one of the most embarrassing endeavors I have ever done. Some even stopped exercising just to stare and me and give me a look that said I was off the deep end. A few people laughed and even went as far as bringing out their phones and recording me. Often, when a norm is broken it can cause an extreme emotional reaction from others. In this case, it was humor, and when you see something that ridiculous you want to share it with others. This instance, compared with the other two locations was the furthest from a socially acceptable context. That being said, it increases the responses from others, therefore creating more animosity.
Going to Taco Bell with my companions in a bathrobe created an eye opening experience. Out of all three of the locations this environment was the most socially accepting. The cashier greeted me with a smile. All of the Taco Bell employees acted as if I just made their day by being in a robe. Some of the other customers where staring nevertheless, most just shook their heads and smiled. One individual even asked me if getting Taco Bell is how I always got ready for bed. This laid back atmosphere made breaking a social norm easier. This may be because the standards ergo “norms,” of a fast food restaurant are far less rigid from a gym and convenience store.
Norms greatly influence the way you are perceived. Culturally speaking, our norms have created a society in which once you break them, you are quickly condemned and criticized. The norms that we have developed over the decades create structure and balance for what is socially accepted. Without these norms, chaos would be created because individuals would constantly contradict or offend each other in their behaviors.