Psychology pioneer Solomon Asch demonstrated how the desire to "fit in" can change personal behavior under peer pressure. His theory is nicely demonstrated in this 1960's episode of Candid Camera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNI5jNBFFT8&ab_channel=NikosKaranikolas
OP: Thank you for all the wonderful comments. You have inspired me to film my own elevator experiment: My cohorts board elevator, subject walks in, door closes, and we all remove masks with an audible sigh of relief and see what happens. Any ideas to spice this up?
Me too. Outcast and nerd during my school days. Made fun of. Excluded a lot. Extended even into college. Hated it, hated them, hated myself.
But now? Grace of G-d, man, I have an exterior where I don't give a damn if they look at me funny for not wearing their stupid mask.
Limbaugh once said the rise of his success started the day he realized or decided that it didn't matter what his critics thought. That affected me.
I had a constant bully (6' tall) from 5th grade all the way thru HS. Ruined my childhood. He offed himself around 2009. No tears on that one.
Ever take a piss on his gravestone?