What do you like?

I love music. I’m pretty sure most people do too. What I cannot understand is why an adult would make fun of the music someone else likes. Sure as kids we made fun of those who liked “lame” bands, but that’s just because we were afraid someone would find out about the lame bands we liked.

But, we are grown up. Do you want someone making fun of you because of your taste in music? So what if the music you listen to sounds more like machinery noise to me. If you enjoy it, that’s all that matters. I like the Spice Girls, New Kids on the Block and quite a bit of disco. Yes, I heard one of you groan.

Of course, this is not the breadth & width of my music taste. I also enjoy Motown, classic rock, classical, and stuff with a hint of accordion, among others. The thing is, it doesn’t matter. If you like what I like, great! We can bond over it. If you don’t, no big deal. I won’t force you to listen to it. That’s why someone invented headphones.

There will always be some band that people will deride other people for being fans of said band. Time passes and society moves on to making fun of the next easy target that fits into a punch line. I’m sure folks in the 1890s made fun of people who liked dixieland instead of ragtime. Polite people know how to deal with a musical taste mismatch. Just be honest. Don’t put someone down because they like music you think sounds like a video game soundtrack or isn’t your definition of hip. Do the kids today still say hip?

In junior high, I remember being afraid to tell anyone what music I liked because I just knew they’d make fun of me. Now I don’t care. I like what I like. Don’t be embarrassed to admit that you are a fan of something or someone. You might as well enjoy what you can while you can instead of worrying about what other people might think. A wise person once said that what other people think of me is none of my business. It’s very true. Make yourself happy. Forget trying to fit in.