Odd Human Behaviors

I read an article this morning about unexplained human behaviors, including kissing, blushing and nose picking. Scientists are befuddled by the things we Homo Sapiens do, and who could blame them?

Especially when you consider these oddities:

10. Being Monogamous. When I asked my husband to shout out an odd human behavior, this is what came to his mind. The odds of finding a person you would like to mate with, who would also like to mate with you, are staggering. But when you factor in the pressure of mating and then staying together to raise resulting offspring, while forsaking all other mate worthy prospects – they’re astronomical! According to LiveScience “Only 3 percent to 5 percent of the roughly 5,000 species of mammals (including humans) are known to form lifelong, monogamous bonds… Evolutionary psychologists have suggested that men are more likely to have extramarital sex, partially due to the male urge to spread genes by broadcasting sperm.” I guess it's no wonder we're bombarded with accounts of celebrities or politicians who were caught in the act of "broadcasting".

9. Reading Perez Hilton’s Blog. Perez’s celebrity is a result of talking smack about celebrities. He has no redeeming qualities or talents to speak of and cries like a little girl when the targets of his trash talking fight back. Sometimes when you talk the talk, you have to be prepared to take a punch. Admittedly, I like gossip as much as the next girl and according to primatologist Robin Dunbar gossip is not always bad and has been selected by evolution as a way to hold large human groups together.

8. Procrastinating. I’ve been guilty of waiting until the last minute, hoping for a miracle of motivation. Instead I find myself stressed out and overwhelmed with a deadline looming and no more inspiration than I had before. According to Live Science, “Impulsive people value today far more than tomorrow. So they can’t feel motivated, deadlines don’t feel real, they have no energy until just before they happen. These people have the best of intentions, aiming to get started right away, but they don’t end up following through on their self-promises.”

7. Getting Botox. I get that our society is youth centric but I do not get shooting a deadly virus into your face to paralyze the muscles. Who in their right mind would hear this sales pitch and think it’s a good idea? This is just the tip of the iceberg of bizarre beauty treatments people will endure.

6. Watching WWF. My family teases me because I used to watch wrestling when I was a kid. Even though I keep telling them it was either wrestling or televised church sermons, they won’t cut me a break. So every time they channel surf past wrestling, they tune in and give me grief. The few minutes I spend watching the ridiculous antics of these grown men, tumbling around the ring, throwing chairs and body slams, makes me wonder what the legions of fans see in this “sport”.

5. Dressing your pets. I have enough trouble deciding what I want to wear for the day without selecting coordinating pieces for my pets. Although a diamond collar from my gold fish is mighty tempting.

4. Making the bed. Sorry, but this seems like the biggest waste of time (aside from showering before you swim) I can think of. Maybe it was necessary when your bed was a pile of straw and you didn’t want critters nesting in your mattress, but what’s the point today? It might look nice, especially when you add 8000 decorative pillows, but exactly how many people see your bed each day?

3. Collecting stuff. I’ve watched enough shows about hoarding, houses so full of crap their owners can’t even walk through the rooms.

2. Following the herd. Admittedly all animals tend to follow the herd, but we humans set ourselves to a higher standard, usually. Nonetheless it’s shocking to see how many people will line up when another lane, door or queue is open.

1.  Smoking.  Even though we all know cigarettes are deadly, thousands take up the habit every year.  Perhaps it’s the danger that lures young adults determined to make their own decisions, no matter the cost.  Once hooked, the habit is hard to break.  I’m so thankful my husband was able to quit after 20+ years.  He now uses the e cigarette 100% of the time and has no desire to return to tobacco cigarettes.  He enjoys the variety of flavors and freedom of vaping anywhere, anytime.