Poll: Stand Out or Blend In?

[Cauliflower41]

Unless it's a major issue, arguments are just too much work for the relatively small satisfaction of being right. I generally only get involved in arguments if I know I can win in about 30 seconds flat.

As for general socialising, it depends; if I've got something to say I'll say it, otherwise I'll keep quiet.

 

[Playful Pony]

Depends. Like others have said, there is no default for me.

 

[Jakub324]

Among people I know and like, I'll express my opinions freely. When around people I don't really know, I prefer not to stand out.

 

[Da Orky Man]

I generally want to blend in, at least around people who don't know me. If I'm part of a heated discussion between two groups, I'll speak up to sort out any actual facts or statistics that someone gets wrong, but rarely will I voice my own opinion. Life works a lot better like that.

 

[Eliam_Dar]

well, when I was younger I tried to blend in... which ended being a problem, and I eventually tried the opposite, which really didn't work for me either. Eventually I realize that you don't have to try to blend it or stand out, just be yourself, give your opinions firmly bu listen to others. Due to this I sometimes blend in and others stand out, but I don't try one or the other, it just happens.

 

[Sunrider]

If I have to choose, I'll just try to blend in, to not get noticed. Sadly, I'm not what you'd call inconspicuous.
Preferably, I don't have to choose, which means I'm not even there to begin with. Being home is the best, because the home has cats!

 

[T3hSource]

I like to dress normally. Blend in with the rest of society.
Mostly cause drawing attention to myself, in my line of work, is always a bad idea.

If you talk to me, I clearly stand out. Very odd, and generally hold views that most don't.
Anyone who really knows me has questioned my sanity at some point.
Sanity being completely subjective.

I can understand you mate

I prefer to blend in take everything in, and also take notes, before even bothering to talk. I form an opinion afterwards, and usually keep it for myself, especially in a heated discussion, I don't want to get into the crossfire. I want a reasonable discussion, alas that is simply impossible outside of having a circle of 4 decent people or less.
I generally blend in as much as possible, because I don't like conflict, not a lot things seems worth it for me, and also avoid trouble.

 

[GodzillaGuy92]

It really depends on the situation. Using your examples, I would prefer to stand out if it meant expressing an unpopular opinion about a game (or other artistic work) that I sincerely believed in, because that expression means much more to me than the safety of conformity. On the other hand, I would practically never choose to stand out during a party when I could instead choose to blend in, what with being introverted and all.

Looking back on it, the key difference between the two examples is that the game one involves standing out for the sake of a different aim, whereas the party one involves standing out for its own sake alone. So whether I prefer to stand out or blend in depends on whether I have anything to gain from the former. (Which I suppose means that I prefer blending in overall... okay, fine, I'll go ahead and vote for that, then.)

 

[Thanatos5150]

Waaaait a second, I almost clicked "Blend in" there before I read the OP.
Of course it's preferable to blend in -- as far as visually. It's easier to navigate the sea of humanity when as far as the others are concerned, you're just another U-squared-C.
Plus, people are less likely to single you out if you're just another face in the crowd.

But, as far as opinions go? It's not easier to "just agree with the crowd". It's a lot of work to determine which way, exactly, the wind is blowing? Have I ever agreed to a majority opinion just to have an easier time of it? No.

Your wording is awkward. At a party or in the streets, I tend to melt into the crowd, given equal options - but if there's a discussion going on, I'm sure as hell going to express my *actual* opinion on matters and not blandly smile and nod and pretend to agree with everybody else for the sake of agreement.

 

[Shinsei-J]

I refuse to change anything about myself to blend in and I won't go out of my way to stand out in any situation.
Though most of the time whether online or off I'm just a fly on the wall.
Only the attentive will notice me and if they do, I may stand out to them.

 

[Thyunda]

Stand out. I only blend in when I need to sneak-attack with a 'stand out'.

 

[irmasterlol]

Where is the "do what I like regardless of others" option? Sometimes it leads to standing out, but most often blending in.

 

[Longstreet]

It depends, as with a lot of cases.

Most of the time i stand out, the times i do blend in i usually don't give two fucks or it's too early in the morning and i'll hang around the background.

 

[Tanakh]

Do whatever I want and don't be constricted by either being shy or being hysterical. Usually blend in because standing out is a waste of time in most cases.

 

[Combustion Kevin]

why not combine the best of two, a unified body of individuals who use their stand-out abilities and perspectives to benefit the group they are all part of.

CAPTCHA: hello sweety
no, still not interested in total assimulation, we talked about this!

 

[Sigmund Av Volsung]

In a random crowd, blend in: I like to be the observer.

Amongst my classmates, stand out(not physically, though 6ft 3" is a bit hard to not notice) because it feeds my ego.

 

[kailus13]

In real life I try my hardest not to be noticed, it's too much hassle trying to state my points in a conversation.
Online I am willing to give my opinion and defend it. I have enough time to think my points though and put my thoughts down in a way people can understand.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

I like to blend in most of the time since I always have a mild panic attack when I'm being singled out for something, and when someone tells me they were talking about me about something.

I prefer to be a fly on the wall more than anything else.

Online, I guess the same...?

It depends on what the subject matter is and if I want to be a smart ass about it or not.