What do people want more? To fit in or to be different?

Most people want to be just different enough to be special, but not different enough to be thought of as odd.

I'm shy so really fitting in for me would be acting myself in front of people. If by fitting in you mean trying to be normal or like other people, then no that's not what I want. My personality is kind of weird by some people's standards...I'm random to the point of sounding retarded or crazy and I'm hyper sometimes. That's my real personality and if I could act that way in front of other people besides my family rather than be shy, insecure, and social phobic than I'd be fine. What your friends said is correct, most people have something weird or quirky about them but hide it just to fit in. There are some people at school though who seem like they are trying to be different or distinguished and there are others who seem to try and fit in and just do what everyone else is.

Young people today grow up hearing "everyone is unique, so it's okay to be different". Unfortunately, lots of people seem to translate this as "it's okay to be different, as long as you still fit into this definition of what different is". We've all seen people who are stereotypical goths, punks, artsy people (yes, I'm talking about the 70 girls in leggings and jumpers, with wide belts and costume jewellery, all sporting the same eyebrow length fringe bang). I would have to say that people prefer to be the same... to go with the crowd. We might change things up a little from time to time, but a sheep who dies itself black to go hang with the black sheep of the flock is still just that: a sheep.

l generally want to fit in for most aspects, clothing hairstyle food and lifestyle. But there will be some uniqueness to me, my hobbies my skills and some other things like the things l pursue. My personality is much like that, l want to be different in a good way not an attract attention kind of way.

We have to balance between fitting in and showing ourselves, some of us are better left without showing all our faces.

lf we don't keep it that way, we are often looked at with ಠ_ಠ or :O then arghhhhh!

I think a lot more people want to fit in than they want to be different.

I believe also, though, that a lot of people also say they like being different...when the truth is, they're only saying that because they don't know HOW to fit in.

^^^

I'm one of those people sometimes,

but in all honesty,

I'm fine with it.

Nice question. (:

I believe it depends on the mood and situation. Sometimes I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb and then there are times I want all eyes on me. But I wouldn't step out of character either way.

in the peking order of animals

First Rule: Get in or the fitting in stage

Second Rule: Once you get in, be the leader

fitting in is also a form of establishing status because an outcast is considered inferior. people want more because it is in animal nature to have a hierarchy of supremacy.

some people have a need to fit in and be labeled, I enjoy being a misfit, then nobody can figure me out

i think most people want to fit in because others will except them therefore they will be a little more comfortable. if you are in your comfort zone you feel more free to be yourself

most want to fit in especially in school;then that might change someday