Three Types of People - Three Approaches

Three Approaches to People, to Life

Human Approach

People are unique. They are different so there is no one approach or behaviour that is applied to all. Human psychology and behaviour is a diverse subject. While approaching people, you need to analyze them a little and then deal with them on the basis of their individual personality. But sometimes, we don’t know what to do. We approach someone for something and the person remains indignant on not listening to you. You keep on persuading and using the same approach and you are met with the same rejection over and over again.

What went wrong? Maybe today is a bad day for me, you shrug. There is no good day or bad day. It's just we are not analyzing at the situation logically and rationally. We keep on looking at the outside world with our own eyes, our own angle and apply our same One approach (which proved to be one time right or right in the past).

The other Person is Me. Is he?

In simple words, we think that the other person is me. So, we think what we would do in that situation. Is this right? No. That person is different and may sometimes be similar to you but many times will come out with a different reaction.

Think of what else you could do in that situation. Although there are no formulas to this. No hard and fast rules or a rule book to study. It is all experience. The more you meet people, the more you identify and pick up about them and the more you learn.

I will share a specific example her. Once a group of student photographers were asked to take a shot of real, old people. The theme was culture based. Holding big SLR cameras in their hands, they stood infront of an old, local coffee shop. A group of old Arabs sat with the traditional attire drinking local coffee and chatting. The question was how to approach them.

First Type, First Approach:

There was a language barrier between the old Arabs and the young students and they didn't feel comfortable to approach them. One of the student, however, showed courage and explained to them with actions and body language that he wanted to take a picture. Suddenly, the whole group of Arabs starting laughing and posing for the camera. The ice was broken, the job done.

Second Type, Second Approach:

Then, they went to a local arab who owned a very old handicraft shop. They approached them and asked him politely if they could take his picture but he refused. They kept on insisting and persuading him but to no use. The instructor stopped the students and told them that their approach was wrong. He was a very old and popular handicraft businessman and so many people might approach him for a picture. He knew he has become popular and won't let his photo taken for free. The moment he took out some money and handed to the old guy, he started posing for the camera.

Third Type, Third Approach:

After the second picture job was done, they moved further on to another old local in the market (souq). As they approached to ask him if they could taken his photo, he reluctantly started saying no. I don’t want you to take my picture, he said. You will charge me for this. The guys explained to them that they will not charge him anything. In fact, they can make him a print. He looked at the camera and said, where is the place from where the picture comes out. Will you give me the picture now? He was a simple person with no connection with technology and the new cameras didn’t make any sense to him. However, they explained to him how it works and where they have to go to get the print of the picture. As soon as he was satisfied that he will not be charged for it, the target was ready to be shot.

All of the people above belonged to the same locality and age group but their mindset and experiences were different and so was the approach to tackle with them. Human behaviour is different and diverse, the reactions too. Analyzing and understanding human behaviour, human psychology, mental attitudes and relationships is very important to succeed in life.