Title: "Why We Like What We Like"

By: Alva Noe

Central Argument: Are likes and dislikes are influenced by the things around us.

I agree with the argument in the article “ Why We Like What We like” which talks about how are likes and dislikes are influenced by the things around us. We can see why this is true because of the fashion trends everyone follows, the way we talk, and who we date. Change takes place everywhere, and because of the change in the way others think, our likes and dislikes change. When we see a fashion trend change we want to follow it. We, along with others change to fit in, and not be left out. We accept what is accepted by the rest of society.

Fashion changes constantly. I remember being in middle school and wearing bell bottom jeans; why well because that was the trend back then. Suddenly in ninth grade every one started wearing skinny jeans because that was the fashion. No one wants to look like an outsider or a weirdo; everyone wants to fit in. This is why are likes and dislikes change according to the choices of society. If we had a banquet to go to we wouldn't be wearing jeans but we would be wearing dresses. If we did wear something unusual according to others perspective, we would be ashamed of ourselves and feel as though we did something wrong. How others perceive us changes the way we think of what we like to wear and where we like to wear it. In certain occasions we wear a dress and in others we dress up casually. Why, not just because we simply like to, but because others choices determine what our own individual choices are. Eventually we find ourselves liking the things that others like

We talk differently to different groups of people. To our friends we may be joking around, teasing and having fun. With the elders we behave politely and with respect. We behave in a certain way mostly because we are told to do so. Because society expects us to act in a certain way. As children we may not always like this, however, when we grow older we too start expecting our children to behave in certain ways. We do certain things not necessarily because we like them, but because we are expected to do them.

What beauty is, also changes over time. Now days we like to date people who are thin, good looking, and successful. But suppose we never could see the man we were dating, would this have changed things around? We like date those who we are worthy to be seen with, who we think society is going to accept. We think ahead to what kind of dinner the man will take us to. Will it be an expensive restaurant, or will it be road side food? We like what others like. Others like to have expensive dinners, expensive cars, branded dresses and therefore we too like those things.

Our perspective of people, clothes, beauty, food changes according to what we think others view them as. Are likes and dislikes change according to what we think is acceptable in society, and what others like or dislike.