Laura

I usually like most people, and I feel uncomfortable when I do not like someone or when someone does not like me. A couple of years ago I was a lifeguard and swim instructor. My manager was this woman named “Laura.” Laura was rather bossy and very aloof to me. I worked with her for eight hours a day, so I did not know how to respond to how she treated me. I wanted to tell her a couple of ungodly words sometimes and tell her what a jerk she was. Instead I responded with kindness. I complimented her and talked with her often. At first I was uncomfortable because I was faking. But in the end I began to like her, and I believe I liked her for the same reasons people thought they liked the experiment after they told the woman how fun it was for a dollar. I didn’t want to feel like I was faking when I was being nice to Laura, so I changed my attitude so I could feel like I was being sincere to Laura.

John

I have always had this issue with buying shoes. I will never buy a pair of shoes and the next day tear off the tags. I need to be 100% sure of what I purchased before I can no longer return it. I will spend hours slipping the shoes on and off in the house and walking around in them. When I am not walking around the house I will be online looking to see if I can find the shoes cheaper, or a better pair for the same price. I have been known to return a pair of shoes because I did not want them, and then go and buy the same pair a few weeks down the road. I am glad to know that I am not totally crazy, but that I have a ton of postdecision dissonance. For me buying shoes is a huge decision because it costs me a good amount of money. When I finally make the decision to keep them I want to hug the first person that says, "I like your shoes."