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#323331 - 15/06/2009 20:00 Why is everyone so #$@! stupid?
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
Anyone who owns their own business, works in retail or support knows very well that the majority of people you see or interact with every day are stupid. I mean down right dumb as logs, it's a surprise they don't wear bibs and have someone following them around to make sure they don't just stop breathing.

Case in point. Just a few minutes ago I spot someone walking up toward my door, snaking their way around a small table I have on my porch upon which is set a chop saw for some work I'm doing in the house.

My dogs of course run for the door and I get up and start walking there myself. The guy knocks before I get there.

I'm only a few feet from the door and he doesn't see me. Through the huge window in the door nor the two side lights on either side of the door. Immediately I know this guy's a moron.

He also obviously didn't see nor use the doorbell. Next to the doorbell smack on one of the side lights is a rectangular blue sign with bold white writing on it. It reads:

Quote:
Please, No Agents, Soliciting or Flyers.


So I open the door enough that we can talk but not enough to let me dogs out and ask if he can read. I had to ask again because he was obviously so star-struck he didn't seem to comprehend what I was asking the first time. As I asked, I casually pointed to the sign so he knew exactly what it was I was referring to.

So he says to me... "I'm not soliciting, I'm canvassing"

So I say back, "obviously you don't know the definition of the word canvass and I suppose I'll have to add that to the sign right?

He was in the middle of saying "yeah..." something or other as I closed the door in his face.
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#323332 - 15/06/2009 20:21 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Originally Posted By: hybrid8
he was obviously so star-struck

I didn't know you were that famous, Bruno.
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Bitt Faulk

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#323334 - 15/06/2009 21:39 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: wfaulk]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
I'm not famous at all, but the look on his face just left me with that impression. A weird expression of both a smile and an empty look at the same time. I haven't shaved in a few days and I was wearing a shirt covered in paint, so maybe he thought I was that famous carpenter from 2000 or so years back.
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#323335 - 15/06/2009 22:08 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
Happy Birthday larry818
old hand

Registered: 01/10/2002
Posts: 1033
Loc: Fullerton, Calif.
I aspire to be #$@! stupid. #$@! stupid folk seem so happy.

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#323336 - 15/06/2009 22:25 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: larry818]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Don't confuse happiness and oblivion.
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Bitt Faulk

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#323339 - 16/06/2009 02:43 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: wfaulk]
DWallach
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/04/2000
Posts: 3810
These days, such people need to fear for their lives, what with the increasing rate of gun ownership around here (i.e., Texas). Crazy stuff, there were some home invasions recently in a Houston suburb where a friend lives, and he's now gone and got himself a gun and a concealed carry permit. This is not the sort of person you want with a gun.

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#323342 - 16/06/2009 05:02 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: DWallach]
Cris
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/02/2002
Posts: 1904
Loc: Leeds, UK
I personally think we are all to blame for all these dumb s&*@s running around, our society it messing with natural selection allowing these dumb genes to spread through our population, I mean how many of these people would have been able to build a weapon to slay a Mammoth and therefor eat, not many, so an end to the dumb gene.

So, in fact Bruno it's probably your fault for being so cleaver and offering up more than your fair share to society. Your over production of wealth and knowledge is providing the slack these people need to pickup to live off smile

Just a theory of mine of course. I developed this at the same time as Cris' famous "We can thank McDonalds for the general increase in breast size theory" smile

Cheers

Cris.

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#323344 - 16/06/2009 05:32 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Originally Posted By: hybrid8
He was in the middle of saying "yeah..." something or other as I closed the door in his face.


Man. I would have "released the hounds". smile
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Tony Fabris

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#323350 - 16/06/2009 10:59 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: Cris]
DWallach
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/04/2000
Posts: 3810
At least the traveling salesman is largely a thing of the past. I imagine, back in the 1950's, you had all sorts of wackos knocking on your door to sell you cleaning products and whatnot.

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#323351 - 16/06/2009 11:10 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
peter
carpal tunnel

Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4172
Loc: Cambridge, England
Originally Posted By: hybrid8
So he says to me... "I'm not soliciting, I'm canvassing"

Meaning he was a politician? If so then perhaps he's not dumb as such, he just thinks the rules don't apply to him (much in the same way that political spam always somehow gets made exempt from things like TPS/Do-Not-Call). Although I suppose that even that is, arguably, just an exotic subspecies of dumb.

Peter

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#323352 - 16/06/2009 11:35 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: peter]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
That's the thing, he wasn't a politician nor representing one, so I'm wondering just what vote he was trying to solicit from me. Like I said, this person seemed only marginally clueless from the glazed look, but proved himself an idiot when he opened his mouth.

I mean even if he was at the door to do something he truly didn't consider soliciting, most people with half a brain would understand the spirit of the sign. Essentially it means "bugger off, don't knock on my door unless I know you or am expecting you."

If you're gong to ask me something, anything, then you're soliciting. If you work for someone and this is your job, going door to door, then you're an "agent."

I just recently put this sign back up as I had taken it down in the past for some window cleaning and then forgot to re-attach it. One day while it wasn't up I noticed that some Jehovah's Witnesses were making the rounds peddling their cult. I printed out a sign that simply said "Kindly Fuck Off" and put that up. Unfortunately they skipped my door and didn't see the sign. It might have had something to do with me having verbally assaulted a few of them when they came knocking a couple of months before. Now when I see them on the streets, they seem to be targeting specifically the homes of people who have just moved in. They must keep a list.

When I lived with my parents many years back, on a much larger property with a 120+ foot long driveway leading up to the house, I had to actually chase these folks off the property with an axe as they simply would not leave, even after asking first nicely multiple times, then getting verbally abusive. On top of that I still had to walk down to the end of the driveway and threaten to smash the window on their car before they moved it from in front of the house and stopped bothering my neighbor.

I'd say that over half the people that come door to door here in the new town I live do so illegally. That is, breaking the town by-laws that require them to have a solicitation permit and have it displayed clearly on their person at all times. The guy yesterday did have some badge, but it wasn't a town permit.

At least I haven't seen any of the energy resale scammers come around in over 8 months. These are the cretins that prey on those even dumber than themselves by asking to see the homeowner's utility bill(s) (pick your poison), and then without their knowledge nor approval, sign them up to a contract for some other service. You'd think this kind of thing would be illegal and that the authorities would be doing something to stop it - at the very least levying fines on the companies. But you'd be wrong.
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#323357 - 16/06/2009 11:54 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
drakino
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
I had a lady stop by my apartment the other day, who claimed to be with the local newspaper and apologized for the issues with the paper being delivered to the dispenser near the mail room. She then went on to say that all the residents were going to be getting the paper free for two months, and we also would get a discount card usable at local area stores. The card she handed me had only chain stores on it, so it was going to be pretty useless to me. After having just finished her talk about the free paper, she then moved on to saying "well, it would be nice if you could make some small donations to pay the little boy who will be delivering the paper". She didn't even have the kid with her to try and get some sympathy points. I at that point asked to not have it delivered to avoid the horrible waste of paper it would be for me, and said that I get all of my news online.

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#323359 - 16/06/2009 12:08 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
DWallach
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/04/2000
Posts: 3810
I can't say as I'd recommend chasing somebody with an axe. Next thing you know, they bust out a gun and you've got a problem. (Or, maybe that's the Texan in me again.) On the other hand, holding your cordless phone in your hand while dialing 911 could be quite effective.

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#323364 - 16/06/2009 12:25 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
JeffS
carpal tunnel

Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2858
Loc: Atlanta, GA
People who go door to door (and are in sales in general) are rewarded for pushing the boundaries. I don't think they are stupid- just that they have an innate quality that allows them to ignore the discomfort/frustration/annoyance of others, and any rules designed to prevent said discomfort/frustration/annoyance.

And they are rewarded for these qualities because it works. Every day there are people who say "no" and get uncomfortable, but ultimately end up buying/converting, whatever. So they continue to push because that's what they are conditioned to do. I can't really blame people for being this way- though I don't have to like them.
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-Jeff
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.

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#323370 - 16/06/2009 12:44 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
peter
carpal tunnel

Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4172
Loc: Cambridge, England
Originally Posted By: hybrid8
some Jehovah's Witnesses were making the rounds peddling their cult

Not as fast-acting as an axe but just as effective: one day (sadly when I wasn't home) Mum answered the door to a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses. "Do you read the Bible?" says one. Mum, who was in the middle of the washing-up, is at this point wearing her "Plants of the Bible" apron, little pictures with chapter-and-verse under each one. "Well, actually, yes, I do," she says. "Ah!" says the other, "we'd like to talk to you about God."

"Well, you've come to the right place," says Mum, delighted, "do come through." And in our sitting-room, quietly drinking coffee, are about fifteen vicars, priests, ministers and pastors of every Christian denomination you can think of. It's at about this point that the Witnesses realise that Mum is the minister of the local United Reformed Church, and that it's her turn to host the monthly ecumenical coffee morning for the local clergy.

Now, with all due respect to the Witnesses (or to their conditioning), they do go for it. They actually try to convince these fifteen-plus vicars that they're all doing it wrong, and ought to be Jehovah's Witnesses instead. But every time they mess up a theological point, the liberal denominations lay into them; every time they mess up a historical point, the Catholics and Anglicans lay into them; and every time they mess up a Scriptural point, the Pentecostalists lay into them. After about half an hour of what used to be called a full and frank exchange of views, the Witnesses skulk away with their tails between their legs. They never, ever came back.

I suppose really that what this goes to show, is that there's nothing like a tough morning's ecumenism to make one want to put some apostates to the sword like in the good old days...

Peter

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#323375 - 16/06/2009 14:33 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: peter]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Heee. Marvelous story. :-)
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Tony Fabris

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#323376 - 16/06/2009 14:52 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
Originally Posted By: hybrid8
"bugger off, don't knock on my door unless I know you or am expecting you."
I think you now have the text for your new sign.
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10101311 (20GB- backup empeg)
10101466 (2x60GB, Eutronix/GreenLights Blue) (Stolen!)

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#323504 - 19/06/2009 06:51 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: peter]
frog51
pooh-bah

Registered: 09/08/2000
Posts: 2091
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
Peter - that is brilliant! One of my team left IT Security to go and work for the Pope in t'Vatican - would be lovely to imagine him discussing these sort of things with the 'botherers over a cup of tea...in a broad Glaswegian accent :-)
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Rory
MkIIa, blue lit buttons, memory upgrade, 1Tb in Subaru Forester STi
MkII, 240Gb in Mark Lord dock
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#323814 - 26/06/2009 21:08 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: frog51]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
Recorded (audio) proof that people are stupid - real 911 calls This is a link to the Best videos thread as the calls are being broadcast on an internet news video.
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#324396 - 20/07/2009 16:16 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
Take a look at this absolutely brilliant email I just received the other day. I don't think I've ever received anything so rude and obtuse that hasn't been spam.

Quote:
there is an awful amount of bullshit to do just to use a fucken remote!
and it still doesnt work. how much money and how much time should i spend on a FUCKEN REMOTE CONTROL! STUPID! I think i want my money back cause this is absolutly retarded how much time i have spent just trying to keep it working.. i hate it!


This is how I started my reply...

Quote:
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, we appreciate the valuable feedback you have taken the time to provide us.


I guess this brilliant person didn't think I had their name linked to their email address. I wonder how he'd react to someone saying the same thing to him at his place of business (which I have a name and address for as well).
_________________________
Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#324397 - 20/07/2009 17:07 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: hybrid8]
boxer
pooh-bah

Registered: 16/04/2002
Posts: 2011
Loc: Yorkshire UK
In my youth I worked in a leading department store, in training we were told: "Just as animals sense fear, csttomers sense contempt", I retired from running my own business and respect for your clients bears reward and costs nothing, you've just got to bite your tongue occasionally!
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Politics and Ideology: Not my bag

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#324398 - 20/07/2009 17:38 Re: Why is everyone so #$@! stupid? [Re: boxer]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
I finished my message with legitimate questions and an offer to help them with whatever problem they were having if they were willing to provide details. I've never sent any type of nasty email message to a customer nor potential customer.

If someone writes in overly aggressive or just shooting off their mouth, I'll also usually wait a day before replying to make sure I don't write anything off the cuff. Generally the person writes back with an apology.

In some other business types I wouldn't be so kind, but with a web-based business you have to be.
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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