Have you ever been portrayed differently than what you really are???

People see only what they want- friends, family, and strangers. I am what I TRY to appear to be but I am seen as other things. And different places have different views on the same thing so what might be ok in place A, isn't ok in place B. Like if you wear your hair a bit too long in CA no biggy. Go to FL and it may be a horrid thing. It sucks.

Oh yeah, that happened to me a lot of times as well. People just like judging us basing on what we look. I was always labeled as a snob because I don't really talk that much. But the thing is, I'm just really quiet when I just met someone...but it doesn't mean that I'm a snob. I get really talkative when I already know the person well.

Oh, I'm sure it happens all the time, to all of us. There are those negative people who make their own judgements and go not only by heresay, but by what they perceive of you from one, brief crossing of paths. It doesn't worry me in the slightest. Only those who want to know the real me, will get to know the real me, and whilst these people are talking about you behind your back, they're talking about others too, so you won't stand out in the crowd. I don't know why they do it... perhaps jealousy of your popularity, your confidence or your knowledge... but it happens! Let it pass, my friend. Brightest Blessings.

very much and sadly its my own family that does it. my own family doesnt even know me that well. My aunt says im cold hearted. Thats far from the truth since I tend to cry alot at night due to caring tooo much about things. Also im disabled and people assume alot of things due to it.. It hurts.

Hello bellaofchaos! Unfortunately, I have been protrayed differently than who I really am. I actually, get different reactions based on who knows my now ex-step-mother. I am petite, blonde and definately don't look like I am 30 with four kids and get the whole "party girl" accusations. Don't get me wrong, I was younger and did things differently back then, but still, to other people who have never met me, people automatically assume I am at least 18 if not younger, and party all the time. I get looked at differently bunches based on what I am wearing. No, I don't wear the midriff bearing clothes or next to skin jeans, but I do wear clothes that fit me. My dad sometimes laughs at me because he "didn't know they had a micro-midget" section at wal-mart.--hardy har har. Then there is the step-monster. She used to be the small one. I mean, out of all 10 of the brothers and sisters she was the smallest at 5'2". She was the cute one, blah, blah blah. She has built a persona to basically kick my butt in public by telling people that I am a wh*re and that I starve myself to stay so small....hmmm..funny about this because I just heard her telling her family-who has known me my whole life--that I have an inferiority complex because of my size..I wonder why. Anyhow, it truly bothers me sometimes when people just assume before finding out who I really am. I might be small, but I have a huge heart, followed by a huge tempor. I wear my clothes to fit me unless I am PMSing, and I love my kids and definately don't party unless my kids decide to have another birthday to make mommy feel even older than dirt. Hope you have a good night!!

It happens to me all the time. People think I'm a snob, just because I like to walk straight, and cuz I don't like to smile at everyone around 24/7. I remember when I first joined college my to-become friends thought that I was a snob and that I would never be friends with them (they told me that later). In fact I'm very friendly and talkative, it's just that I'm a bit shy, so I try to mask it by looking confident. People won't assume that my 3 kids are mine cuz I look pretty young, some think they are my younger siblings. At job interviews I often failed cuz they thought I was too young, and they needed someone more looking mature with more experience, thus underestimating my skills and knoweldge. Some people think I'm mean, but it's just that I like to tell the truth rather than please someone (who's not worth it off course). Am I mean? Only to those who DESERVE it. If I see someone being mistreated I'd stand up for that person. So does it matter what people think of you??? I think it depends on the situation, and sometimes it's even good to give the wrong impression.

Oh yeah, people take one good look at me and all of the sudden they make judgments about me. I am either a really nice person or a stuck up b!+ch. Honestly, I am none of those. I am nice when I want to be, and I like things a certain way because my life is so out of control.

Who ever really knows the people we truly are? And who among us has only one personality trait that is easily recognisable? I know for a fact that even my family do not know who I am. They judged me when I was a silly teenager and their opinions don't seem to have changed. The people I have known...and know now, all have many facets to them. Sometimes people seem to be kind and happy, but get them when they are worried or tired and they are like different people. People have said that to them I seem very confident and sure of myself. The fact is, I'm nothing like that. But I do know how to act as if that's who I am. Pretending to be someone can help you get by sometimes. I've often pretended I enjoyed my work because that meant getting through the day was easier. I've also pretended to be happy to see certain people whom in reality I despise. If you have to spend time with some one whom you don't like, it's much easier to pretend you do. Maybe that makes me a hypocrite. I think it means I'm a good actress or diplomatic. Some people see what they want to see but I think most people see who we want them to see.

I don't know why but for some reason ppl always seem to be surprised that I believe in God. I don't know if it's b/c I tend to keep it to myself without beating ppl over the head about it or if it's b/c I don't attend church. I had one lady that I sent an email to about the war and the soldiers praying and she sent me back an email saying she was surprised that I cared about things like that...like I was some kind of heathen. Then another day my brother, myself and my stepdad were sitting at the table talking about scriptures and my Mom came in and looked really surprised and said she didn't know I knew any [b]**AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~[/b]

It's very easy to make snap judgments about people. People do it all the time. It's human nature. I am very rarely ever wrong about the gut feeling I get when meeting people for the first time, you being only one of the rare exceptions. When meeting you I made the judgment I made because of who you were with and then used the fact you were blond to justify my rationality....lol I'm glad I was wrong. People do it to me ALL the time. It doesn't bother me. People who don't want to take the time to get to know me aren't worthy of knowing me.

I think everyone can claim this experience. Is there comfort in those numbers? No. My perception of myself is shared by very few people. Their perception of me hopefully comes closer to mine as they get to know me better. Sometimes that happens, sometimes it doesn't. No sweat. UNLESS, it is a friend I have grown to value and trust who simply seems to hit a wall one day and just stops growing in their knowledge of me. I will continue to grow in my knowledge of them, and frankly I expect that in return. But some people seem to have limits to their ability to grow within themselves, so it only stands to reason they have limits to their ability to appreciate the growth of another person. Friendships like those will falter and die eventually. What gets my goat is that people like that instead of moving beyond that relationship, REGRESS in their understanding and appreciation and suddenly 'I' no longer have any good qualities at all. Perception becomes twisted and infantile and harmful. And when those now 'misconceptions' are passed on to others, it becomes a matter of character assassination and that's just WRONG!

I have not changed much from the way I am. But this does not prevent people from potraying me as something else. Many of these people are of the judgemental type, and like to listen only to one side of the story. Currently most of my close neighbours are boycotting me due to what my next door neighbour told them. It is sad because I live in a society where neighbours look after each other. I am not upset nor angry because I believe the time will come when she receives retribution. I do not want to waste my time worrying over it because I have many things to do. all the best, rosdimy

Good day there bellaofchaos, yes and always people misunderstood my personality. They are giving me first impressions which are the opposite side of me. It make me felt sad but I understand them, and I feel happy when they regret their first impressions to me. Judging people is easy for some but its hard when you realized that your judging was wrong. So it is better to know the person first before judging them, its unfair for the side of the person you are judging if you are giving her/him a bad impression. =( God bless! Lets all be equal and happy!

all my adult life!! I have had problems with people basing their opinions of me on my religion or my appearance it hurts plain and simple I have feelings just like any other human being

I happens to me all the time. People like to label or categorise things and people to make it easier for them to understand them. I used to get upset when people had the wrong opinion of me, especially if it was unfair or negative. I changed the way I looked at it and now I accept myself completely for who I am and do not care at all what people may think of me. A persons opinion of me does not affect or change who I am in any way. I feel sorry for people who judge and feel the need to categorise everything as they are missing out on so much in life by being closed minded.

Yes I have been portrayed differently than what I really am many times over the course of my life. It was hard and very upsetting at first but then I just saw how petty people were being and just stuck my nose up in the air and said "Bol*oc*s to it and them, it still happens now with a minor few but i just ignore it now. Some people are just downright rude.

Oh, yeah, it happens. It makes me sick how often it happens. But it really pisses me off when people assume things not in evidence. I have had many people that I end up talking to after meeting for the first time, say that they heard this or that about me and I am nothing like what the gossip said I was. To me, that proves just how UNRELIABLE gossip is, so I NEVER put any credence into it. I judge people based on how they treat ME and interact with me. Unless, of course, I am right there to witness terrible treatment they are giving someone without cause. I used to be a Legal Secretary and I even studied Law in school. So, I am a proof kinda person. Looks can be deceiving and evidence speaks louder than heresay. In court, heresay is not even admissable. We all know how the game of Telephone is played and what the end result is. Once a story is retold several times by different people, each person adds or subtracts some critical information, or their own bias, and in the end, the story is unrecognizable from the original.

Oh, I can definately relate. I've had people before base me simply off what another had to say about me. It hurt at the time, yet I realized that if others wanted to believe someone who took what I said out of context, not speak with me directly, and make their judgement to not like me that it was their loss. I'm a nice person, I help those out when I can, and I do the best I can in life. I think all we can do as people is be friends with those who accept us for who we are and take the time (as long as it takes) to get to know us, and leave the rest for others who better suit their needs.