# Do you experience discrimination based on a group of which you are a member? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736 "2017-10-24T17:17:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/21 "2017-10-24T21:11:55Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > No. I’m a gender-typical, straight, white, Christian male in the US. I have yet to see any discriminatory behavior towards me based on any of those factors. Nor do I expect to see any. You have if you purchase any insurance. Sorry to break it to you. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/22 "2017-10-24T21:18:29Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m blissfully unaware of any discrimination against me Pretty much me too. That’s the thing about discrimination: you don’t always know when you’ve been discriminated against. And, _everybody_ gets discriminated against if you define it broadly enough, and include stupid stuff like “I didn’t get free drinks on Ladies’ Night because I’m not a lady” or “That person would have been more interested in being my friend if I were the same sex/race/ethnicity/religion/sexual orientation/whatever as they are.” But I’m going to go ahead and answer “No.” ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/23 "2017-10-24T21:19:58Z")
> [@RunSilent](#): > > I have faced unintentional discrimination here and there my whole life because I am left handed. What makes you so sure it’s unintentional? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/24 "2017-10-24T22:23:58Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > does being disabled count? I cant get a job unless they can use me as a tax write off among other things Of course it counts. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/25 "2017-10-24T23:53:22Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > Woman in a male dominated field - so yes Male in a woman dominated field. No. mmm ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/26 "2017-10-25T00:20:34Z")
Yes. I am a member of the Intelligent Group, and I face discrimination as a Smart Ass. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/27 "2017-10-25T00:42:07Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > You have if you purchase any insurance. Sorry to break it to you. Really? How is that discrimination? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/28 "2017-10-25T00:56:09Z")
Yeah. I don’t think it has held me back in life. But sure. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/29 "2017-10-25T00:57:38Z")
Back when I was in the academic world, I experienced some mild anti-Catholicism. I’m pretty sure that, although it didn’t cost me a position or any money, I got frozen out of some ad hoc committees, stuff like that. Other than that (and that was years ago), no. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/30 "2017-10-25T01:39:07Z")
I’m a gay, left-leaning, atheist French speaker from Québec. And, honestly, I tried to think of something that constitutes discrimination against me, in my daily life, and I couldn’t find anything significant. There are inconveniences, and many places I could go where I would be miserable (and, in some cases, stoned to death); but here and now, no. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/31 "2017-10-25T01:44:20Z")
Everyone hates on us Quakers. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/32 "2017-10-25T02:32:28Z")
Every time I come to SDMB and read insulting things about Conservatives, Christians, and Trump voters… Not something that affects me financially. I may be offended, but I don’t feel the need to riot or file a lawsuit. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/33 "2017-10-25T02:51:24Z")
Not American, and I’ve experienced discrimination both in and out of the USA. Mainly it has been for being a foreigner and for being female. ---
**Author:** ![Annoying\_Buzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Annoying\_Buzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoying_Buzz)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/34 "2017-10-25T03:07:24Z")
White American living in Japan. On balance, no. While I’ve been turned away from some shops or apartments and heard plenty of ignorant comments, it’s been small and infrequent enough compared to what others have experienced elsewhere that claiming I’m discriminated against is laughable. Especially compared to the number of times I get the long end of the stick even compared with Japanese people. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/35 "2017-10-25T03:07:28Z")
I had my life threatened for being Jewish once. And then there are the thousand little cuts, when I have to put in for time off to use vacation days on my religious holidays, and if it is denied, threaten to bring in the wrath of my rabbi and the ACLU, but the office isn’t even opened of the Christian holidays. I couldn’t work if I wanted to. Actually, in one job situation, I did volunteer to work other people’s shifts, but since I was management, I didn’t get paid for it, I only earned some extra time off. We were always hurting a lot over Christmas, Easter, and New Years, none of which observant Jews celebrate. It was something to do to feel productive on a “dead” day. Don’t even get me started on people who with me “Merry Christmas,” in spite of the fact that during the relentless season of mirth, I wear a big honkin’ Star of David. I reply that I’m Jewish, and they say “Oh, well, Happy Hanukkah,” and Hanukkah has been over for a week. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/36 "2017-10-25T03:17:40Z")
I believe that age discrimination played a role in my being laid off from my last job, and (more significantly) in my inability to find another job in my field. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/37 "2017-10-25T03:59:33Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Male in a woman dominated field. No. > mmm You know, this made me remember something I’d forgotten. Years back, I worked in the magazine business. I was on the business side, not editorial. A position opened up for which I was eminently qualified. In fact, I did the job, uncredited, for something like six months while the position was vacant. But then the publisher, the managing editor and the art director (all women) all of whom had some input into hiring for this position, announced that it had been decided that a woman would be hired to fill that position, and only women were considered, and interviewed, and a woman was given the job. Oh, well, that’s how it goes sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/38 "2017-10-25T04:06:47Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > You know, this made me remember something I’d forgotten. Years back, I worked in the magazine business. I was on the business side, not editorial. A position opened up for which I was eminently qualified. In fact, I did the job, uncredited, for something like six months while the position was vacant. But then the publisher, the managing editor and the art director (all women) all of whom had some input into hiring for this position, announced that it had been decided that a woman would be hired to fill that position, and only women were considered, and interviewed, and a woman was given the job. > > Oh, well, that’s how it goes sometimes. I’ve seen this, but expect that the opposite consciously or unconsciously happens far more often. Your example is still discrimination though. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/39 "2017-10-25T04:11:55Z")
I went other but it gets complicated. I have been in situations where I could claim one form of discrimination (age related for example) or another but I just never felt like a victim. I am sure I face discrimination every day but so far I’ve just refused delivery and gone on. In the future I may feel differently. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736/40 "2017-10-25T04:28:03Z")
On an ongoing basis? No. With serious repurcussions? No. I’m a (mostly) straight white male American in California. But as a software engineer in my 50s, I’ve come to accept that unless I change fields or start my own company, I’m going to retire from my current employer, as my job-hopping days are over. In my last exploratory interview, which I got through a friend who said I’d be a perfect fit for the position, the Millennial interviewer asked me exactly one question “so, what do you want to know about the company?” and then stared at his phone throughout all my responses. Sure enough, they hired a new college grad who needed a year to come up to speed, but he was cheaper and willing to work lots of unpaid overtime. I’m pretty sure my having a penis was the reason I was the only volunteer in my son’s 5th grade class who was never called to help in the classroom. Every other grade the teachers and kids liked me, but that teacher just wouldn’t consider me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-experience-discrimination-based-on-a-group-of-which-you-are-a-member/799736.md?page=3)