With every variety of music comes the connoisseurs who consider their beloved genre superior.

On the other end of the spectrum is the hater, who declares utter distaste for a particular genre of music. The behavior of the connoisseur can be easily understood. It is a demonstration of passion, purpose and the special bond between the music and the listener.

But what of the hater? What is it about particular types of music that turn certain people off? And for what reason?

Most people who denounce a particular sort of music are usually not heavily familiar with that music. This is logical. It also indicates that rejection of said genre is based on bad analysis. A single negative or unpleasant experience (such as hearing one bad song) is not enough to dispute an entire genre. With anything, basing entire perceptions on brief and surface-level experiences isn’t a fair way to make judgments.

The genres of rap and country seem to be stigmatized the worst. At some point in socializing amongst one’s peers, an individual might very well hear or read in someone’s Facebook or MySpace profile something similar to “I listen to everything but rap” or “I like everything except country.”

Such statements are rarely supported by any feasible explanation and are cliché. As diverse and complex as music can get, is it a realistic notion that one can enjoy absolutely every single kind of music except one? Genres of music are so profoundly influenced by one another that it’d be impossible to embrace one while discarding the other.

Perhaps it has more to do with image and culture than it does actual taste in music. An individual’s personal taste is nothing that can be altered or bargained with. However, where does personal taste end and personal vendetta begin?

Maybe hip-hop fans find it out of their realm to be associated with the country scene. It could be possible that indie rock fans just don’t feel comfortable at a club playing techno.

Is this because being out of one’s safe zone is deemed “uncool?” If the issue is discomfort, all this proves is that people are too preoccupied with maintaining an image rather than appreciating all good music for the sake of sound.

As long as music as a whole dares to be innovative and ground-breaking, no genre should be written off without good reason. And any good reason worth considering should come with thorough and sensible observation.

Treat music like a person. At least give it all a chance.