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Forum: Rants
Topic: Are Americans stupid?
started by: reman

Posted by reman on Jul. 28 2000,00:26

This is not really a rant but it may lead to one.

Recently whilst on holidays in Melbourne, Australia (I was attending a roleplaying convention, and I am from Sydney, Australia) I had the pleasure of meeting an American who was attending said convention. Late saturday night as we were conversing over a couple of beers (well more than a couple, and I was drinking coke as I was driving).

He is by no means a stupid person, he runs a resonably successful company, etc. Now what he said to me was that a lot of Americans are stupid...now there are stupid people here in Australia, and I said as much. But these people I explained these are normally the ones that didn't have a good education, they came from broken families, in trouble with the law etc...

He said "No. There are a lot of people in the US who are just plain stupid, dumb as a box of hammers...dumb....dumb...dumb...."

Is this true?

regards, reman

p.s. I think no one on this forum could possibly be considered dumb since you are here, which requires operation of a computer, which some stupid people consider a miracle or the devil's work.

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People ask me to fix their computer. I do in 5 seconds.
They say "You think your good don't you".
I say "I know I'm good". People always ask stupid questions.

Posted by cr0bar on Jul. 28 2000,00:57

There is an old George Carlin routine that goes "Think about how dumb the average person is, then consider that HALF of them are DUMBER THAN THAT!". Wouldn't make much sense if there WEREN'T many stupid people here, would it?

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"Everyone's favorite implement for any task"
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Posted by kai on Jul. 28 2000,02:22

well I myself really can't stand people. I work at a grociery store and I have to deal with assholes all f'n day. They all assume that you know nothing and have no common sense. Most of them if they actually stopped and thought for a second would be able to get things done smoothly and without me getting pissed off at them. I don't know maybe it's just because I dislike 90\% of the general population, but I would have to agree with your american friend in saying that people are really stupid.

Posted by Octavian on Jul. 28 2000,02:44

holy shit, don't even get me started on this topic. i probably already wrote a rant about it in overpopulation, but i can say that there is an ass-load of completely idiotic people in my little nook of america.

i'm sort of in the same position as kai; i work in a retail pet store in the midwest (close enough to arkansas), and there are some people in there that amaze me with their very existence. i swear they would have killed themselves by now. most of the time i wish i could take care of the horrible mistake god or nature or whatever made when it made them. but, unfortunately, that's still illegal.

Posted by reman on Jul. 28 2000,04:43

Well the guy who I was talking to was from virginia i think.

Oh and btw just so's ya'll knows I wuz only talkin' bout youse amereecans bein' stoopid.

regards, chris

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People ask me to fix their computer. I do in 5 seconds.
They say "You think your good don't you".
I say "I know I'm good". People always ask stupid questions.

Posted by Willy Pete on Jul. 28 2000,08:01

Well they have a lot of people there and thus the law of averages is in favour of your comment. You get a lot of dumb people in England too.

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You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The
trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.

Posted by Bozeman on Jul. 28 2000,21:47

I live with two stupid people. Unfortunately, they are my parents. Good thing I'm headed to college soon. Plus, I work at a pharmacy. Some people just weren't meant to use credit cards.

Customer: Which way do I swipe it?
Me: Magnetic side down.
Customer: Oh, okay. (swipes magnetic up) Are you sure?
Me: Look, it's this way. (swipes card)
Customer: Thanks. (waits a few seconds) Hey, it's frozen!
Me: You have to press "credit." It says so right there.
Customer: Why?
Me: (pulls out shotgun) Here's why! (shoots customer)
Customer: Ouch! That really hurt!
Me: (Wakes up, realizes there is no shotgun, presses "credit" button) This machine reads all kinds of cards, including bank cards and debit cards.
Customer: This is hard...

It goes on like that for a while, I'll spare you the details.

Posted by Sithiee on Jul. 29 2000,01:01

if you dont like dealing with the customers, then quit yer damn job. you obviously are pretty stupid yourself if you actually expect to deal with smart people when you work in retail. i wonder if the customer is dumb for not understanding a system hes never used before, or perhaps youre just plain stupid expecting him to get it no questions asked.

Posted by jrh1406 on Jul. 29 2000,02:56

My girl friend just got a job with NYPIRG, the New York Public Interest Research Group. She has to canvas different neighborhoods and try to raise money to help out different public interest causes and she has to deal with some of the dumbest people. These are people with the 4 bedroom houses, 2 new cars, inground pool and whatnot. Yesterday she was talking to a few people, trying to convince them to help support the current bill that NYPIRG is trying to pass which would require pesticide sprayers to give 48 hours warning before spraying. She would shoot down all these peoples doubts and convince them that all their fears were unfounded and they would still refuse to even support the bill, much less donate money. I'm glad i've got a job in IT, i don't have to deal with too many stupid people

Posted by kai on Jul. 29 2000,04:34

quote:
Originally posted by Sithiee:
if you dont like dealing with the customers, then quit yer damn job

well it doesn't always work like that. some people can't just quit. you have to live and pay bills and stuff. plus some people I do expect to understand cuz I see them in the store all the frickin time.

Posted by Sithiee on Jul. 29 2000,14:39

you can always get a job in non-retail.

Posted by Bozeman on Jul. 29 2000,16:31

I actually do like my job. In all jobs you have to deal with some stupid people eventually. Most of the people see the little diagram that show you haow to use the machine, but I was explining the situations of the few who don't. That's what this forum is about, stupid americans. If I talked about those who us it right, they wouldn't be stupid, now would they? Seriously, think before you post, Sithiee.

Posted by Octavian on Jul. 29 2000,21:35

sithiee, there's not too much to do besides retail if you're 17 and don't want to work manual labor and aren't "1337" enough to have a business trust you with their network.

and i'm not going to quit a pretty good job that i've been with for a while and have it nice at just because of stupid people. but i can bitch about it. that's what detnet is for.

Posted by Firefox on Jul. 30 2000,01:20

I work cash at a large supermarket (kinda the Canadian equivalent of "Loblaws" I think... whatever Loblaws is...) I can empathize with Boze because I get people like that all the time. This world gets more idiot proof every day, and it seems the idiots just keep coming.

Customer- "Hey cashier, roll the belt down so I can reach my groceries!"

Me- "Oh, uhm, sure. Actually, there is a button down at the end that you press to advance the belt."

Customer- "Really? What kind of button?"

Me- "It's Big and green and says 'PUSH TO ADVANCE BELT' on top of it."

Customer- "Where?"

Me- "Right in front of you, at about waist level..."

Customer- "Oh, ok. Honestly, this store is so bad and..."

And then they proceed to blame their own supidity, their bad mood, and every problem they have ever had on a combination of me and the store.

The thing that bugs me is that ever since I have been buying things, I have tried so hard to be nice to people. Every time anyone tells me to have a nice day/night, I always tell them you too, or whenever anyone tries to make pleasant small talk, I treat them nicely, not just grunt like a frickin' neandrethal and ignore then, and whenever I have a question/complaint/concern, I figure out who the best person to ask would be and do it in a calm, controlled manner. I don't know about you, but if I was a customer, and had a problem that needed solving, the very first place I would go to would be... surprise surprise... CUSTOMER FUCKING SERVICE. Not some guy mopping the floor, not some girl running a till, not some guy hauling bags of potting soil out the loading docks... how about the people at the big desk whose sole purpose it is to answer questions and help people??!

I think the problem is that so many people think they are so damn important... I just wish they would take the time to realize that they are an infintesimably small particle floating in a vast universe, and in the grant scheme of things, they don't mean a lick of crap about anything. I realized this many years back, and ever since I have been generally happier and more content (go figure).

My musical selection for that idea is Edwin's "Alive".

-FFox

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ICQ: 436346

"A christian, an anarchist-slash-prostitute, figures out the true meaning of freedom. Not freedom like America, freedom like a shopping cart."
-NOFX

[This message has been edited by Firefox (edited July 29, 2000).]

Posted by Sithiee on Jul. 30 2000,02:50

sometimes going to customer service is a waste of time. i.e. you would look kinda dumb walking past all the people working there and such, just to ask somethin simple like where the john is.

and i do think before i post thank you very much. calling someone stupid for asking why you have to choose credit or somethin, is like calling someone dumb for not knowing how to build a computer from scratch. some things arent intuitive. now if the person was asking why you would accept credit cards, and bank cards and debit cards, that would be dumb, because its obvious. there is stupid, and then there is ignorant. being ignorant is not a fault for which it is fair to make fun of someone for.

Posted by Bozeman on Jul. 30 2000,23:46

Yes, I agree. Some things are not intuitive, and using the credit card scanner would normally be a tall order to fill for an average person. Fortunately, there are many diagrams, stickers, and computer displays to explain use of the machine. What I am complaining about is the people who ignore these helpful instructions, and bitch when the fucking thing doesn't work. For example, there is s sign that says "magnetic side down" and a picture on the scanner that shows the correct way to slide. 9/10 times that it doesn't work, it is because these were ignored. Most people figure it out, but those people probably could put a computer together from scratch, if they had good instructions.

Posted by Rol3x on Jul. 31 2000,00:57

Ok i totally agree with i think almost all of you in here on this subject. Ive always known it in the back of my head. but lately ive just been saying this "People suck" because its so simply true. People as a whole just plain suck. Aside from a few handfulls of people that your friends with, everyone else in the world sucks for some reason or another.
its good that im not the only one who feels this way.

Posted by rocky on Jul. 31 2000,05:22

I think a lot of americans lack common sense. They open their mouths when they don't know what the fuck they are talking about. It seems everybody in america has something to say, but most of the time it's just wrong. So, yes, i guess you could say a lot of americans are dumb, but not all.

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< http://planetstupid.vfreak.com >

Posted by Althornin on Aug. 07 2000,13:44

sithee-

Have you ever used on of those devices?

It prompts you what to push.

I figured it out with no problems my first time to use one.

If you can't, you must be an idiot- because i ahve seen some dumb people who can read and follow directions like
"press credit for credit card, debit for debit cards"

Now if you think the average person shouldnt be able to read directions and follow them, thats pretty sad. Its not ignorance. Its stupidity.

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Because email can be altered electronically, the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed.

Posted by Sithiee on Aug. 07 2000,14:49

well speaking of stupid people, how about those dumbasses *cough*Althornin*cough* who bring back threads that have been dead for a week. or who assume that because someone defends other people, that hes in the same boat with them.

jesus your fucking retarded. all i was suggesting was that just cause they dont take the time to read the instuctions doesnt make them complete morons.

Posted by reman on Aug. 08 2000,03:21

Sithiee I gotta agree...i dunno how many times i've gotten something and started playing with it, without even a glance at the instructions.

sometimes its ended in tears, but thats another story...

regards, reman

------------------
People ask me to fix their computer. I do in 5 seconds.
They say "You think your good don't you".
I say "I know I'm good". People always ask stupid questions.

Posted by kai on Aug. 08 2000,07:40

honestly though these machines are everywhere. and commen sense says that there is absolutley no reason for the magnetic strip to go up. why would it be there. also i like the fact that just about everyone thinks your wrong sithiee.

Posted by Sithiee on Aug. 09 2000,00:31

aside from reading the instructions, why in the hell would you assume the magnetic strip goes down? i would have no clue personally, seeing as how cards with magnetic strips and their readers arent exactly my specialty. common sense doesnt dictate which way should be up. when theres only one side, like on a barcode reader, then its common sense that the barcode should face the reader, but most card readers are too thin to be able to see which side is the reader. it is not common sense at all.

Posted by Wolfguard on Aug. 09 2000,09:27

it is when there is a big picture that shows you how the card goes into the reader!

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Nuke em' till they glow and shoot em� in the dark and let the computer sort em' out.
Then wait for a mutation�

Posted by Bozeman on Aug. 09 2000,10:44

Of couse it's not common sense! That's why there are DIAGRAMS, and INSTRUCTIONS. Plus, the other day I was at work and EVERYONE USED IT RIGHT!!!!!! It was a miracle! I'm reconsidering atheism now, just kidding. On dead threads, I think it's OK to post on em' if you have something good to say. I say just don't make it a habit.

Posted by Althornin on Aug. 09 2000,16:22

I dont really see how bringing back a dead thread i thought was interesting is moronic.

But hey, bringing back dead threads isnt my speciality, so i must not be stupid for doing it.

Or maybe i just did it cause i want to.

The fact remains, if you cant figure out how to use a magnetic card reader
1) You SHOULD read the instructions
If you dont, then you are to stupid to read directions when you KNOW that you dont know how to do something.

That makes you twice as dumb.

And for all your personal attacks, that makes you an asshole. Not stupid, but a real jerk.

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Because email can be altered electronically, the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed.

Posted by Sithiee on Aug. 09 2000,18:11

note how in my example i pointed out not reading the instructions? lots of people dont take the time to do it, no matter how little time it might take. how many of you can honestly say youve never used something without reading the instructions first?

and yes. im an asshole. whooeee look at me giving a flying fuck. i really couldnt care less if you think im an asshole, and taking the time to stop and point it out just makes you look petty.

Posted by The_Hiro on Aug. 09 2000,19:10

quote:
Originally posted by Althornin:
...If you can't, you must be an idiot- because i ahve seen some dumb people who can read and follow directions like
"press credit for credit card, debit for debit cards"

Before you accuse someone else of making personal attacks it might be instructive to examine your own behaviour first.

[This message has been edited by The_Hiro (edited August 09, 2000).]

Posted by Wolfguard on Aug. 10 2000,10:08

Sithiee:

What kind of distance did you get?

You know, when you gave that flying fuck?

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Nuke em' till they glow and shoot em� in the dark and let the computer sort em' out.
Then wait for a mutation�

Posted by Gabe on Aug. 10 2000,11:41

While there may not be a "common sense" way for the card to go in the reader (actually, there is: all the numbering and lettering is on the top, with the magnetic stripe on the back. The lettering should face you -- why should you have to put it in upside down?), there is common sense about using technology that you aren't familiar with.

If you get something that you're familiar with, then by all means -- bypass the instructions! But if you're not sure, or if you want to avoid breaking something and voiding the warranty, it's COMMON SENSE to take at least a glance at the instructions.

For example, gaming consoles are easy. I never use the instructions because they're all the same -- AC to wall, video to TV, control pads to console, game into tray, hit the power, and you're off in gameland.

But other (more expensive) items like printers and meat slicers and the like should be treated more carefully. Often times there are special instructions on unpacking and assembling a printer. If you just go at it blindly without reading the instructions, you could break it, void the warranty, and be out a few hundred bucks. And with dangerous stuff like meat slicers, there are idiots out there who would not understand how to use the safety guard and cut their fingers off. I've seen it happen. It's common sense.

Personally, I tend to flip through the intruction booklet to see if there are any features I don't know about, like on a Cell phone... some things just aren't obvious, or if they are, there may be an easier way!

Which brings me to my final point. Credit card machines. They're simple machines. They have the instructions PRINTED ON THEM WITH A STEP-BY-STEP WALK-THROUGH!!! I've known 80-year-olds and 8-year-olds alike who could operate a credit card machine. Why would you ask someone for help without at least looking at the onboard instructions? It's COMMON SENSE!

Remember here -- these are the same people that drove to this supermarket in a car. If they have the knowledge to operate a car, they obviously know how to read (traffic signs and the like), so why can't they read instructions? And if they didn't drive, they walked, so they probably operated a crosswalk signal, another piece of technology.

Get with it people. We live in the 21st century. Obviously the other 95\% of us can use all this technology. If you don't know how, then read the instructions. Then ask politely for help. Yelling never got you anywhere.

Sorry for the length of this rant, I just agree with many people on this thread that people are just too stuck up to think that they should actually take some initiative and figure things out rather than wait to be babied.

-Gabe

[This message has been edited by Gabe (edited August 10, 2000).]

Posted by Althornin on Aug. 10 2000,11:51

My point was:
If you dont know how to use it, then you are a dumb ass for not reading the directions.

Sure, i dont always read directions.

But unlike most people, i am able to figure things out.

And yes, i know i did a personal attack.
you people seem to think that just because i think he's an asshole for attacking me doenst mean i cant be one and attack him.

Jeez, what pudmunchers.

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Because email can be altered electronically, the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed.

Posted by Sithiee on Aug. 10 2000,15:47

well not really a flying fuck, more like a long jump fuck. id say at least 4 yards.

youre holding a double standard. you say its bad, or imply that its bad that im an asshole, but you dont go on to point out how bad it is for you to be an asshole. if its bad for me, why isnt it bad for you?

Posted by Althornin on Aug. 10 2000,20:10

Because i am intellectually and morally superior to you

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Because email can be altered electronically, the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed.

Posted by Rol3x on Aug. 10 2000,22:29

morals? moral are in a sense all bullshit. i mean, you have to have them, but you cant really be superior to someone by moral standards i dont think. morals are like being against slavery, so the only way you would be morally superior to him is if he was for it and you were against it, but then you get into ethics and opinion, although i cant think up a reason as to why slavery would be in any way positive, there might well be some way, but even so you cant say your superior on a moral level in that there are far too many variables that factor in to that shit. besides, what does it say below your handle? thats what i thought b1atch.

Posted by Sithiee on Aug. 11 2000,03:02

did you see wild wild west? i mean, once you get past the fact that its horribly evil to put someone in slavery, hes got a point, really, who wouldnt wanna sit around on their ass all day while someone else does all yoru work for you, and their only cost is food and clothing?

Posted by Rol3x on Aug. 11 2000,21:22

nah i didnt see it, something about a black rapper who bases his whole thing on how he doesnt swear in his raps (which lately suck ass, hes got 2 decent songs both of which were far too overplayed and they were years ago) and puts down rappers who do swear, turns me off of watching the movie. i would only have seen it so i could enjoy seeing selma hiyak, or however the hell you spell her last name. shit shes fuckin hot.
anyways, i think slavery is wrong in that it was done to people entirely out of the skin color, however, it is a "smart" idea. in the sense that its completely logical for u to 'pay' someone with food, loging, and clothes for LIFE for doing work. the problem was aside from an entire people being FORCED to do it, they didnt get decent food or clothing, just minimal portions of both. it would work if they were payed better, treated better, and the work wasnt so hard, along with them not being beaten, but then its not slavery, its just work. but now, im glad this shit is in the rant section because this pisses me off. i fucking HATE when i hear people (colored, black, african americans, i dont fucking know what the hell to call them anymore, dammit, and it makes me sick) when i hear them constantly talk about "oh so the mans gonna put us down again! just because im black you hate me" or some shit out of nowhere, i hate seeing or hearing people being all fobic about someone saying anything even remotely close to being racist, its just like gov. laws, theres too much shit involved and if you cant take the fucking heat, move to another damn country. but dont take this as me not liking black, colored, african americans, whatever they prefer to be called because its thoroughly confusing to me, because i have several friends who are black, im just gonna call them black, it makes sense, they arent white are they? shit im not white, i dont give a damn what color you call me, fuckin call me purple if you want, i dont care, im still going to grow up and make a shitload of money and thats really all i care about. that, and having lots and lots of sex with good looking women.. sorry this was so long. somethin that just pisses me off no and then.

Posted by Gabe on Aug. 12 2000,00:24

People who wait on us hand and foot in exchange for food, lodging, and pay?

We call them "butlers" or "live-in maids".

-Gabe

Posted by TonyDennis on Aug. 12 2000,03:27

quote:
Originally posted by Rol3x:
...im still going to grow up and make a shitload of money and thats really all i care about. that, and having lots and lots of sex with good looking women...

LOL, that was pretty damn funny, and I completely agree with all the part I snipped btw.

-Tony

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< w00t >.

[This message has been edited by TonyDennis (edited August 11, 2000).]