Free Essay On Social Norm

Today, we are surrounded with a world of etiquettes and social norms which are followed by us. Even in parks and on roads, social norm is followed. The sidewalks are important as they provide a path on which people can walk safely. Often, when we decide to walk on the path which is not laid for us, then strange behaviors of other people are observed. There is an unspoken and universal agreement that one walking on the sidewalk has to remain on his side so that it does not affect other people. However, while walking on sidewalk, people usually prefer walking on the right side. The non-conformity to this agreement results in confusion.
I decided to break social norm by walking on the left side of the sidewalks for one week which was a weird act that has surprised most people. Sometimes, I took one person along with me as it takes space of two people which most affects the other person walking on the sidewalk. I observed the reaction of the passerby where I received interesting responses. The other people walking on the sidewalks looked confused, walked towards me and then leave by after showing an act of move in anger. Other pedestrian who walked and passed by looked back again with a puzzled emotion as if they were thinking what has happened to me or whether I am in my senses. Even my classmates and friends looked at me weirdly that why I am walking in a strange way on sidewalks. Some people especially who were middle aged and old aged got angry on my act and quarreled with me on sidewalks that ended up by interruption of other pedestrians.
At the end one week of violation of the social norm, I reached to the conclusion that people and pedestrians were confused and puzzled. Moreover, sometimes, they were angry and ended up with quarrel as they disliked my act of walking on the left side of the sidewalk. The reactions were mainly because it is social norm and etiquette that is to give space to someone who is coming from the other direction or to those who are walking behind us. Moreover, the reactions of the passerby’s surprised other pedestrians to who were walking on the sidewalks that have made me to feel that I really did something weird which was highly disliked by all. Moreover, I concluded that the people who highly act and behave according to the social norms showed more aversion to my nonconformity of accepted standards of behavior. I felt bad and realized the conformance of the social norms and its importance in the society. I wish I could have apologize the pedestrians who were affected by my act; especially the old aged people who receive greater respect from the people and society and have spend years conforming to societal standards.
In a nutshell, I can conclude that it is important for everyone to behave and follow social norms which are the standards of behaving in the society. Non-conformance of the social norms not only leads to disinclination by people, but also makes oneself dissatisfied with one’s own behavior. Moreover, the people who disregard the social norms suffer different consequences. Thus, we should abide by all the social norms as they are made to be followed by everyone living in the society.