My generalizations about Americans...

[Lobsang]

... are based on those I meet in...

Newsgroups, Chat rooms, imported TV, tourists in the Isle of Man, half the customers at my place of work.

(recent example - some Americans were in a busy pub/restraunt, they 'broadcast' their whole conversation around the pub, their volume was roughly 4 times higher than the rest of the diners)

All those examples are where the 'uglies' hang out (the bad examples of Americans)

(TV has had the biggest influence on my generalizations over the years)

I should have realized/remembered the good examples, and thought before I posted. They are...

The majority of the Dopers, The other half of the customers at my place of work, the Americans in chatrooms/newsgroups/TV/etc who don't stand out (because they are less noticeable, being not obnoxious).


I am kicking myself for being so stupid as to post the way I did without thinking. I have given everyone a bad impression of me which I don't think I can repair. Despite that, I feel I should apologise anyway.

I'm sorry (again)

[Eve]

I wouldn't put this in the Pit, then, it's like taping a "kick me" sign on your back.

[Lobsang]

Originally posted by Eve
I wouldn't put this in the Pit, then, it's like taping a "kick me" sign on your back.

Then Kick me. I don't care, It had to be said, the pit is where I fucked up, so the pit is where I put the apology.

[lionel]

Then Kick me. I don't care, It had to be said, the pit is where I fucked up, so the pit is where I put the apology.

sneaks up quitely

:kick:

d&r

hee hee hee

[Buck The Diver]

Yawn...

[Homebrew]

I still like British Ales best (except for Sierra Neveda Porter).

[Drastic]

Then Kick me. I don't care,

I don't know about that, but that doesn't much matter.

There's a behavior pattern, a game of sorts, that a surprising number of people like to play. I thank the author David Gerrold (if my memory's working right) for writing a character once upon a time who taught me the name of it: schlemiel.

The game of schlemiel is a sort of solitaire, but it needs other players. Not much of a solitaire then, you might say, and you'd have a point. The thing is, the other players aren't so much actually players as they are props or gamepieces, sort of like cards. Only the one person playing is actually keeping score.

The scoring rules seem to be rather complex and nearly occult, with a lot of individual variation. But the core of them is this: schlemiel is played by fucking up in various manners, and then apologizing. If the apology is accepted, the player gains ponits--if merely acknowledged, points still get gained, but a lesser amount. Schlemiel-players can be differentiated from ordinary fucking-up by their pattern; once the apology-round is scored, they'll very shortly begin the fuckup round again.

Mostly, fans of the game will repeat it over and over until they die.

It's an interesting game, even though it's baffling to non-fans, much like Brockian UltraCricket. Like many, I don't much see the point in it, but I do see the value of having a hobby.

Carry on.

[Crusoe]

Bugger it, is nobody prepared to at least give lobley the benefit of the doubt based on this OP?

Okay, you've shot yourself in the foot repeatedly, but I'm willing to believe it's down to a poor choice of words and acting before thinking. I've sure as hell done it before. A bit more care in future and reasonable posters will forgive and forget.

[Monty]

Originally posted by lobley
... are based on those I meet in...

So you admit to be being a bigot? Astonishing. :rolleyes:

Newsgroups, Chat rooms,

You've no proof those are actually Americans.

imported TV,

So life in the United Kingdom is just like it is the following shows: Are you Being Served?; Oh, Father; Red Dwarf; Doctor Who; etc.?

tourists in the Isle of Man,

And that's representative of approximatley [i]three freaking hundred million people exactly how?

half the customers at my place of work.

And are the other half all non-Americans? Or are you just conveniently ignoring the non-jerk Americans for your own bigoted reasons?

(recent example - some Americans were in a busy pub/restraunt,

Some does not equal All. As an example, you're a bigot. I do not draw the erroneous conclusion from that fact that all citizens of the United Kingdom are bigots. For one thing, I know they're not.

they 'broadcast' their whole conversation around the pub, their volume was roughly 4 times higher than the rest of the diners)

Perhaps you could've gone up to them and mentioned politely the volume of their conversation was a bit high? But, then, that would mean you wouldn't have a ready-made rant available. Or you might've discoverd (pure speculation alert here) that one member of their party needed the others to speak at that volume so said member could hear them.

All those examples are where the 'uglies' hang out (the bad examples of Americans)

And we have you here. What's that supposed to show us about the United Kingdom?

(TV has had the biggest influence on my generalizations over the years)

No surprise that. Try to get out some.

I should have realized/remembered the good examples, and thought before I posted. They are...

You should've thought. Period.

The majority of the Dopers, The other half of the customers at my place of work, the Americans in chatrooms/newsgroups/TV/etc who don't stand out (because they are less noticeable, being not obnoxious).

I venture to say that the only reason you notice the obnoxious ones so much is that you are actively searching for them.

I am kicking myself for being so stupid as to post the way I did without thinking. I have given everyone a bad impression of me which I don't think I can repair. Despite that, I feel I should apologise anyway.

I still don't see any apology here. Just excuses.

I'm sorry (again)

Here's an Americanism for you: Yeah, right! That's called sarcasm.

[belladonna]

::sigh::

lobely--you'd be much better off just letting this drop and moving on. People have short memories around here and, frankly, you care about this way more than anyone else does. Five pit threads and counting.....you're starting to look like an attention whore.
Let it go.

[Atreyu]

I will at least give lobley some credit here for being reflective regarding his recent behavior and recognizing the source of his misunderstandings, and especially some credit for his apology.

Hopefully this will end all the incoming fire you've been taking, lobley.

[Binarydrone]

So Drastic, if I understand what you are saying here you feel that the apology in the OP is insincere or some sort of a masturbatory pastime? The alternative is what, when someone notices that their remarks have offended others that they just ignore it (at which point we all naturally pile on to demand where the OP is to back up their claims some more or apologize?) Let me give a hearty fuck that to that little loop.

For that matter, in the "American Patriotism is Out of Control" (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115895) (which seems to be at least a major player here is what is pissing people off), I can not help but notice that it had gone inactive (at least as far as I am reading the time-stamps) for the better part of a month until resurrected by PhiloVance.

So the walk away method fails, you won’t accept apologies. Interesting, perhaps we should demand that the OP cut his pinkie off and send it to us. :rolleyes:

[tiny ham]

I used to think that I was a pretty devout and accomplished masochist.

I would actually like to turn that title over if I could, to Lobley.

but I'm keeping the crotchless panties

[Lobsang]

Originally posted by belladonna
::sigh::

lobely--you'd be much better off just letting this drop and moving on. People have short memories around here and, frankly, you care about this way more than anyone else does. Five pit threads and counting.....you're starting to look like an attention whore.
Let it go.

No, I think I'd be better off leaving the SDMB. there are too many bastards here. There are lots of nice people, probably most of it is nice people, but I don't think I can be bothered to put up with hurtful dickheads like Monty any more.

It's not worth it. This place is not for the ending of ignorance, it's for evil shitfaces to get their cheap thrills.

I am hurt right now. but I am sure if I manage to resist the urge to stay in the SDMB I will be ok in no time.

[My Darn Snake Legs]

I didn't like Canadians for a while either because I roomed with one in college who was a complete asshole fuckup. I have since met several reall great people who are from Canada, and have convinced me again that Canadians are just folks from a place. :smack:

You need to realize that Americans are just people who come from a place too. We're not all loud, obnoxious, annoying bigots with funny accents. Some of us are. Over-generalization is a bad thing. Learn from it.

[Honey]

Originally posted by lobley
I am kicking myself for being so stupid as to post the way I did without thinking. I have given everyone a bad impression of me which I don't think I can repair. Despite that, I feel I should apologise anyway.

I'm sorry (again)

That's good enough for me lobley :)

Honey

[gobear]

I am hurt right now. but I am sure if I manage to resist the urge to stay in the SDMB I will be ok in no time.

Boo freakin' hoo. Dude, this is a message board, not your life! It's a fun place to discuss issues, but it's no place to get so involved that you can describe yourself as "hurt." Save the drama for your real life.

[Abe Babe]

Tough crowd.

[Drastic]

The alternative is what

No longer engaging in the fuckup->self-pity->fuckup->selfpity->... cycle. I'm comfortable with people breaking out of it at any stage in the two-stroke cycle. The apology phase is a great place to do so, but not any moreso than the fuckup stage.

I don't want anyone's pinkie. My apartment is cluttered enough.

[Tansu]

Well, lobley, you've learned something, in that you've learned that it's best to think before you post, and it's best not to make wild generalisations that can easily be disproved.

The fight against ignorance begins at home. You were ignorant, you realised it, you apologised. Time to get on with either reading the SDMB and posting, or leaving it behind.

Don't have a chip on your shoulder based on what some people say. But please do realise that some people are getting snarky with you because they are hurt by what you said, not because they are bad or evil.

Monty's alright, you know. He just takes things seriously, and that sometimes means taking things too seriously. :)

If you think before you post in future, fuck-ups like this shouldn't happen again. You'll be OK. No need to take it to heart so much.

[My Darn Snake Legs]

I don't know man, a Yakuza-style pinkie joint necklace would be pretty damn cool...

[Lobsang]

Originally posted by gobear

Boo freakin' hoo. Dude, this is a message board, not your life! It's a fun place to discuss issues, but it's no place to get so involved that you can describe yourself as "hurt." Save the drama for your real life.

I am not crying or anything, don't read too much into what I said. I am involved in the SDMB because In my job it is the only way to occupy my time and not go insane. But hurtful is hurtful, it doesn't matter where it's said, if something is meant to hurt, it hurts.



Everyone else - I probably deserve the not-so-nice posts in this thread, (but that doesn't excuse bastardish behaviour) I am deeply humbled by the people who are nice to me, I am very grateful for your forgiving replies, and I apologise for you having to see me lose my temper at the bastards.

I am still thinking about ignoring the SDMB though, bastard replies are almost inevitable, no matter how much I acnowledge the nice ones.

[Robb]

Is there some sort of a delay between the apologise stage and fuck up stage, or can the shift be immediate?

[Drastic]

I don't know man, a Yakuza-style pinkie joint necklace would be pretty damn cool...

Well, there you go--peoples' tastes differ. Anyone who'd like to send me a pinkie can go ahead and just send it to SMUsax instead. A nice postcard informing me that the pinkie has been proxied will suffice.

[Miller]

Well, this American accepts your apology, lobley. I hope you a) have learned something and b) stick around for a while longer.

[Drastic]

Robb:
Is there some sort of a delay between the apologise stage and fuck up stage, or can the shift be immediate?

I think that might vary by league, or junior varisty versus varsity players. Immediate shifts seem rather flashy, theoretically good showmanship, but they might be something that really professional coaches might caution against and want recruits to unlearn.

[elf6c]

Originally posted by lobley


No, I think I'd be better off leaving the SDMB. there are too many bastards here. There are lots of nice people, probably most of it is nice people, but I don't think I can be bothered to put up with hurtful dickheads like Monty any more.

It's not worth it. This place is not for the ending of ignorance, it's for evil shitfaces to get their cheap thrills.

I am hurt right now. but I am sure if I manage to resist the urge to stay in the SDMB I will be ok in no time.

So everyone who called you out for what you are is either "bastards" "hurtful dickheads" or "evil shitheads".

Right---- this is not an apology, this is just a contination of the personal attacks on those who called you out on your hateful bigoted comments. Your prior comments and these attacks make you a loudmouthed ignorant ass, at best. As does the second pit thread you have opened on this- fine continue your Freak Freely like meltdown, its fun to watch-- but don't crap in a cup and call it a hot fudge sundae. Your shallow attempts at revisionist history were correctly called out by Monty. Your assinine personal attack on him just adds merit to his original post.

I am hurt right now. but I am sure if I manage to resist the urge to stay in the SDMB I will be ok in no time.

Ah the last refuge of the troll. Well don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Oh, you will be back again I am sure to share your enlightened views with us. :smack:

[KarmaComa]

First of all, I can't believe anyone would take to heart anything hurtful said about them by a stranger on the internet.

Second, Monty seems like an outrageous shithead. He takes this way too personally. Further, he claims that Americans beat the British to the punch with sarcasm! Not only is he intolerant, he's ignorant!

If someone's acting like an idiot, Monty, why put yourself a small step below them? Or is that as high as you go?

[Motate]

ANOTHER fucking thread about this garbage?!

What part of shut the fuck up is not penetrating that non absorbent head of yours. I don't give a cat shit souffle what the fuck you think now. FIVE threads about this pointless bullshit,lobley,FIVE. Here is a clue-GET OVER IT ! Turn off the computer and the tv and work on your social skills.

I was ready to ask everyone to lay off of you when you half assed apologized yesterday but this is getting ridiculous. You are an attention whore and a misery monger. Anyone with an active brain cell in their fucking head would have let it go long before now.

[Lobsang]

So everyone who called you out for what you are is either "bastards" "hurtful dickheads" or "evil shitheads".

no, just the bastards, hurtful dickheads and evil shitheads are bastards, hurtful dickheads and evil shitheads. The people who challenged my views are people who challenged my views.

Why did you link the two? I'm confused.


I have covered all this. shitty behaviour is shitty behaviour. Arguing right or wrong is worthless for someone who is malicious. because being malicious is far worse than being wrong. It's like a criminal criticising a policeman for being a bit rough.

[Tansu]

I tried to post this earlier, but it wouldn't go in.

Well, lobley, you've learned something, in that you've learned that it's best to think before you post, and it's best not to make wild generalisations that can easily be disproved.

The fight against ignorance begins at home. You were ignorant, you realised it, you apologised. Time to get on with either reading the SDMB and posting, or leaving it behind.

Don't have a chip on your shoulder based on what some people say. But please do realise that some people are getting snarky with you because they are hurt by what you said, not because they are bad or evil.

Monty's alright, you know. He just takes things seriously, and that sometimes means taking things too seriously. :)

If you think before you post in future, fuck-ups like this shouldn't happen again. You'll be OK. No need to take it to heart so much.

[Lobsang]

Originally posted by Motate
ANOTHER fucking thread about this garbage?!

What part of shut the fuck up is not penetrating that non absorbent head of yours. I don't give a cat shit souffle what the fuck you think now. FIVE threads about this pointless bullshit,lobley,FIVE. Here is a clue-GET OVER IT ! Turn off the computer and the tv and work on your social skills.

I was ready to ask everyone to lay off of you when you half assed apologized yesterday but this is getting ridiculous. You are an attention whore and a misery monger. Anyone with an active brain cell in their fucking head would have let it go long before now.

You didn't have to fucking read them! but you thought you would, so you could add to the kicks. that kind of suggests to me that they don't bother you at all, but rather excite you. If they really bothered you you wouldn't click on them!


AND, 5 posts??? I've posted about 3 at the most recently. one was brought back from god-knows how long ago, and another one was posted by someone else, and a 3rd was an apology.

If ANYONE is to blame for the volume of all this it's the people who get thrills from criticising!

[Lobsang]

Are people still wondering why I think the SDMB has too many bastards and is not worth the bother???

If you criticise and undermine the OP, what the fuck do think the OPer is going to do!! I am going to fucking defend myself ok!! so don't get pissed off with the number of my posts! I am not going to just sit and take it!

[capybara]

Lobley,
I actually came into the pit for the first time today and saw 2 new threads by you, thought "Oh, Gawd. . . " but then was very happy to find that you weren't planning to be a one-trick pony and was relieved to see you post from a more human, less man-with-a-mission stance. Stick around, ok?
(I actually expected the "commisserations" thread to be slagging on the US team, which, as an American that broke bones in school playing the damn game I am tired of hearing- the next BBC announcer I hear of referring to the American fans waiting for the ball to be picked up. . .)

[BottledBlondJeanie]

Well, hey guys, he's actually saying y'all have dispelled some of his ignorance and some of y'all are still spanking him for it? Shit, move on...

lobley One final spanking should do it.. Bend over-grab your ankles

::whips out the Fah-Q paddle::

WHAP!

Bad Lobley. Naughty.

Some of these folks will get over it if you post about kitties and bad tasting foods for a bit before coming back to the more controversial.

[Monty]

You post outrageous BS and I'm the hurtful dickhead? Hah!

[Lobsang]

Originally posted by Monty
You post outrageous BS and I'm the hurtful dickhead? Hah!

Got it in one.

[Mangetout]

All generalisations are wrong, anyway.

[Fionn]

Anyone willing to provide a link to the Monty v lobley thread in question?

[Cervaise]

Originally posted by jarbabyj
I'm keeping the crotchless panties What if I send you a self-addressed stamped envelope?

[Monty]

Originally posted by KarmaComa
First of all, I can't believe anyone would take to heart anything hurtful said about them by a stranger on the internet.

Well, you're doing your utmost to not be taken seriously.

Second, Monty seems like an outrageous shithead.

So your impression of me means exactly what? That's right! Nothing.

He takes this way too personally.

Horse apples.

Further, he claims that Americans beat the British to the punch with sarcasm!

Liar. Prove where I claimed such. I stated that the expression "Yeah, right!" is an Americanism. It is. I did not claim that Americans beat the British to the punch regarding sarcasm.

Not only is he intolerant, he's ignorant!

I'm neither intolerant nor ignorant. You, on the other hand, are obviously stupid.

If someone's acting like an idiot, Monty, why put yourself a small step below them? Or is that as high as you go?

Get back to me when you've something more original than kindergartner banter.

[Jonathan Chance]

DNFTDQ

Do not feed the drama queen, children.

Just don't.

[elf6c]

Your right J.C., but lobley's bullshit "apology" it little more then the same old crap. I have seen plenty of people fuck up and apologize and move on. This is not it. I have to fully agree with Monty on this one.

However, I also agree with you about encouraging the one-trick pony- so I will bow out of this train wreck at this point unless something worthwhile occurs.

Have a nice weekend all! :)

[Honey]

I have extended the olice branch so I'm done.

Would anyone like some pie?

Hot, straight from the oven?


;)

[Honey]

Please make that olive. Fuckin' chardonnay.

[Squish]

lobley, I'm cursed with a hot temper myself, and often put my foot in my mouth.

There are some rabid shitheads on the SMDB, there are some great folks, but mainly, there are people who want a place to vent and who enjoying discussing/debating/arguing. <shrug> It's really not worth getting upset over. As my big sister puts it, "What are they gonna do? Take away your birthday?" :)

[Dragonblink]

Jeebus, a person can't even apologize without getting called out? Whether it's a plea for attention or not ... and it seems fairly sincere to me ... an apology is an apology. Just accept it or ignore it, and move on.

[LolaBaby]

Originally posted by lobley


No, I think I'd be better off leaving the SDMB. there are too many bastards here. There are lots of nice people, probably most of it is nice people, but I don't think I can be bothered to put up with hurtful dickheads like Monty any more.

It's not worth it. This place is not for the ending of ignorance, it's for evil shitfaces to get their cheap thrills.

I am hurt right now. but I am sure if I manage to resist the urge to stay in the SDMB I will be ok in no time.

I don't think you should leave! That's ridiculous.

My first encounter with you was one of your "Americans are [insert rude generalization here]" threads, but I know you have also posted a few funny threads here and there. I know I'll probably associate your name with anti-American stuff, but if you stop, think, and then post, then I know I'll forget it in no time. Everyone makes mistakes, it's just if one can learn from them.

Take a break, it helps. I take breaks when drama hits the fan sometimes.

Despite certain outrageous generalizations you've made in the past, they have amused me to no end. I think you should stay and amuse me more. I like you. :D

Personally from what I've seen of Monty's posts, I don't think he is a dickhead. He's pointed out stuff from an objective POV more than a few times.

[gex gex]

lobley, here's some really good advice:

don't post anything more to this thread. some people will continue to kick you; it can be said that you deserve that. then, when your skin has grown a bit thicker, resume posting on the board.

[Lobsang]

Last Post in this thread by me. (even if the resulting bait is veeerry juicy)

LolaBaby - thankyou for your kind post. I am not sure if I deserve it but I am glad you like me, I like you too.

Thankyou to the many others in this thread who were level-headed in replying to me.

Thankyou everyone for putting up with me while I over-reacted to everything.

And, thankyou to the not-so-nice posters for giving me an indication of who's words not to take to heart. It is pretty much a given that you will be harsh no matter what is said. So now I know not to take it to heart.

I won't leave the SDMB. I'll just steer clear of the pit.