... Because I'm Different...?

I've noticed something over the passed few months while out and about in the larger towns and cities in Ireland, if you look in any way "alternative", people expect you to be rebellious, rule-breaking, and interested in donated and saving everything.

I have been continuously approached while in a group of people, and singled out with my appearance mentioned, and then asked to vote no against something, to protest about something else, to give a tenner every month. I don't get why I would seem more likely to agree with the terms, and opinions of these people over the other members of my group.

Does having alternative coloured hair, piercings, and a "Kayla" dress-sense mean I automatically want to stick it to "The Man" at every opportunity I can get, or go against the crowd? I've never been one to break rules, or go against the grain because it's not "mainstream". Being "alternative" seems to label you as one of "them", in with the crowd. The world savers.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do donate to worthy causes, I do care about voting, and protests. However, I have strong personal beliefs, many of them not agreeing with theirs. I found it uncomfortable being chosen as the one they'd think would agree with them,, especially when their conversation would start with "Wow, your hair is pretty amazing" or "Oh, sweet piercing".

I don't dye my hair because I want to make a statement against something. I dye my hair, because I WANT to, and because I get insanely bored with it rather quickly. I don't get piercings to be rebellious, I get them because I WANT to, and because I like them, and they're part of me. I dress how I WANT to dress what I'm comfortable with, again, not to make a statement. These factors shouldn't mean that I'm going to rebel against everything wrong in the world, or enjoy being isolated to discuss whatever charity you're signing people up for. These factors are what makes me, well, me.

Then again, maybe I'm just being paranoid and over-thinking things (it has been a long day, and it is quite late) and they're not selecting me over the others. Has anybody else has experience with this at all? It'd be interesting to find out who gets approached over others.