The growth of Internet and readily-available knowledge have spoiled the social sphere of life and culture, as well as turning people into amateur behaviorists or psychologists, where everyone constantly monitors, watches and evaluates one another closely. People have started judging each other like celebrities being evaluated on TV. Everyone is now constantly concerned about what others think.

University students, both boys and girls, agreed that they pretend and portray a different personality to be popular, and once they reach a certain status, it seems that being shallow just comes with the territory.

Abdullah Hadi, a 19-year-old university student, said: “It is sometimes okay to be shallow. There is nothing wrong with a little faking in behavior and thoughts if it makes other people feel good. Moreover, no one wants to stick out of the group and look different. Therefore, we modify our behavior and opinions to fit in.”

Another university student, Maryam Saeed, said that she is obsessed with brand names and spends almost a fortune buying these brands.

“Being shallow has become a part of our social fabric. We have created an environment where we pretend most of the time — for example like pretending to meet a person who we are not interested in,” Maryam added.

“Young people mostly are influenced by peer pressure and crave for social status. The reason for shallowness growing in our society is because of the increase in number of social networking sites,” Mohammed Dawoud, a teacher, commented.

Dawoud also mentioned that the fascination for social networking sites and apps is nothing more than an addiction, where people boast about their lifestyle and encourage others to follow them, which eventually turns them shallow and judgmental.

Fatima Sohail, psychology professor, reported that shallow traits seem to pop up especially among teenagers, due to their hormones, impervious nature and need for acceptance. She said: “Most people generally are not shallow as they appear to be. They have deep interests or opinions, but act dumb in order to fit into the group.”

Many people judge each other not only personally. but also when it relates to work or business. In just a glance people decide looking at the products or services and within seconds, they make assumptions and decisions about companies.

Career expert, Mohammed Sami, believes shallow people are easier to sell to. Any type of consumer business depends on irrational marketing where perception is all that matters and tricking people into buying stuff they don’t need is what counts.