# I am your better. Do as I say. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 27, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184 "2010-07-27T14:31:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/81 "2010-07-27T19:05:42Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Give it time. **Rand Rover** will show up eventually. He’ll understand why I’m better than Metro employees. Raising the possibility that this is all a whoosh By the way, not to get hung up on the details, but in the OP the interaction is described as racist. Aside from being of a different race from the OP -which I suspect is genetic - did Jamal do anything to deserve this description? ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/82 "2010-07-27T19:06:06Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > So you mean they’re supposed to pay for your Metro pass and they forgot you? > > Yeah, you’re a master of the universe, dude. Nooooo, they paid for it and then it broke. Now I’m waiting for Metro to send me a new one, but of course they’re late with that. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/83 "2010-07-27T19:06:37Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Does your she-penis produce glorious woman sperm or is it mostly for show? Don’t go there. > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > It’s more like if you eat at McDonald’s and try to pay with your credit card but the machine’s broken. So you tell the guy “Oh, I don’t have any cash. Let me run across the street to the bank and I’ll be right back” and then this 16 yr old kid starts lecturing you and condescending you about how you should always carry cash and how you’re wrong for coming in to McD’s without the proper currency. It’s more like you have a pre-paid card, don’t have enough money on it to buy what you want on it, all reloading machines but one are broken, so instead of waiting for the one functioning machine, you just take the Big Mac, eat it, and pay for it when it’s convenient. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/84 "2010-07-27T19:10:26Z")
Good thing he got to work on time so he could spend all day bitching about Jamal on a message board. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/85 "2010-07-27T19:10:34Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Give it time. **Rand Rover** will show up eventually. He’ll understand why I’m better than Metro employees. Nope. You are a rule-breaking douche. You broke the rules just to save yourself a few minutes, and you could have easily avoided the whole situation (by loading up your card on your way to or from work on a previous day). So, you get no sympathy or support from me. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/86 "2010-07-27T19:16:18Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > > > Give it time. **Rand Rover** will show up eventually. He’ll understand why I’m better than Metro employees. > > By the way, not to get hung up on the details, but in the OP the interaction is described as racist. Aside from being of a different race from the OP -which I suspect is genetic - did Jamal do anything to deserve this description? Jamal’s not racist. At least, I don’t have any evidence that he is. The whole Metro crew, on the other hand, is…questionable. There’s the time the cops were stopping people for being drunk or whatever, 'cept it turned out that they were stopping a lot of White people. There was the employee who actually said out loud “See? This is what I hate about White people!” There was the cop who stopped me and started questioning me. “What’s the stop for, officer?” “You said something under your breath.” HUH? That’s illegal now, is it? So I said “Fuck you” to a lot of employees in the OP. That doesn’t mean I think every one of them emcompasses all those characteristics. If I had read this from someone else when I was living in Pittsburgh, I’da called “bullshit” too. But then I moved here. Hell, even backwoods Mississippi didn’t have this much racial tension. I’ve been told by a lot of people that it’s because of the vast income divide in this city. The Black population is significantly poorer than the White population which causes some class warfare. So fine, Metro employees, (some of) you want to play that way? At least I’m on the top, looking down. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/87 "2010-07-27T19:21:10Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > It’s more like you have a pre-paid card, don’t have enough money on it to buy what you want on it, all reloading machines but one are broken, so instead of waiting for the one functioning machine, you just take the Big Mac, eat it, and pay for it when it’s convenient. Almost exactly. It’s more like a soda than a Big Mac and “when it’s convenient” is when there’s a free cashier. You ever drink some of the soda or eat some fries in the cafeteria before you actually get up to the cashier? It’s like that. Yes, you’re supposed to pay, then eat, but it’s busy today and you’re hungry, so you eat some and then pay when it’s your turn. No big deal, right? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/88 "2010-07-27T19:22:59Z")
Grammatical tip: neither “black” nor “white” are proper nouns. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/89 "2010-07-27T19:26:51Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > > [@villa](#): > > > > So tell me - how is Jamal meant to know which of these two situations occured? > > Because situation #2 wouldn’t happen. What _that_ **Chessic Sense** would do would be to just jump the exit gate and not pay anything at all. So it’s highly likely that someone honest enough to approach you to pay would be honest enough to pay the correct amount. You are amazingly naive if you believe this. Jamal’s probably griping on a message board today about the intern this morning who jumped the entry turnstile and told him a tale of broken machines and tourists to get out of paying his full fare. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/90 "2010-07-27T19:41:02Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > At least I’m on the top, looking down. Yeah? How’s that feel, being so far above everyone that you had to take a bunch of shit from a fucking _Metro employee_? And yeah, you had to take it, because you knew you had fucked up, had breached the rules because you found it inconvenient to follow them. You knew enough to keep your fucking mouth shut when he was talking, didn’t you, because you knew that this was gonna be way better than getting a cop or another Metro employee involved. Thieving asshole. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/91 "2010-07-27T19:43:05Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Almost exactly. It’s more like a soda than a Big Mac and “when it’s convenient” is when there’s a free cashier. The next cashier was that line you were too precious to wait in. I get being busy, I get being annoyed, I get hating tourists and douchebags on power trips. What I don’t get is how Power Trip Jamal was wrong. He said what you did was called “fare evasion” and told you what you should have done instead. He didn’t get all Transit Cop Badass on you, he didn’t report you, he didn’t even seem to make a fuss. It seems like he understood your situation and motives, but pointed out what the correct course of action would have been. It seems that **you** did not understand his position and motives because you’re too busy sneering at the Metro Employees who are beneath you. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/92 "2010-07-27T19:43:10Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > > > I insert my paper ticket and it says I don’t have enough money left. Just $1.10 instead of the minimum $1.20 or whatever. > > > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > > > It’s more like if you eat at McDonald’s and try to pay with your credit card but the machine’s broken. So you tell the guy “Oh, I don’t have any cash. Let me run across the street to the bank and I’ll be right back” and then this 16 yr old kid starts lecturing you and condescending you about how you should always carry cash and how you’re wrong for coming in to McD’s without the proper currency. > > It sounds more like if you go to McDonald’s and try to pay for a $6.00 meal with your debit card, but there’s only $4.00 in your account, so the card doesn’t work because there’s _not enough money on it_, not because the machine is broken. But you’re so big and important and in such a hurry that you figure it’s OK to just grab the food and run out the door, because it’s clearly McDonald’s fault that you didn’t know how much you had on the card, so surely they’ll be fine with you getting your lunch now but maybe coming back and paying them later, and if the cashier should dare tell you that you shouldn’t steal food, he can just go fuck himself because you take better care of yourself than he does. And he’s probably racist. For the win. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/93 "2010-07-27T19:48:40Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > That would be SmarTrip. One-time $5 fee, no more waiting in line. When it works, it’s great. When it breaks, you end up dealing with the frightened-puppy tourists. I live in the DC area and I have about half a dozen smarttrip cards. I use them for friends when they come visit me (it helps them avoid dealing with frightened tourists). > [@](#): > > Metro employees, on the other hand, know better. Someone gave them a 3’x20’ little fiefdom and they’ll be DAMNED if someone’s going to fuck with them on their turf! At least the metro cops have badges and guns. The station workers just have neon vests and brooms. They’re like those 40-year old employees at McDonald’s- resentful, degraded, and looking for any opportunity to assert themselves just because they can, just to justify not having put a bullet in their skull the night before. Metro employees have always treated me with respect and been very helpful. I have in fact walked through turnstiles in the past and done exactly the same thing as you a dozen times and never gotten the lecture you got. Are you sure you didn’t act all huffy or anything like that? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/94 "2010-07-27T19:48:57Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > If I had read this from someone else when I was living in Pittsburgh, I’da called “bullshit” too. But then I moved here. Hell, even backwoods Mississippi didn’t have this much racial tension. I’ve been told by a lot of people that it’s because of the vast income divide in this city. The Black population is significantly poorer than the White population which causes some class warfare. So fine, Metro employees, (some of) you want to play that way? At least I’m on the top, looking down. Why do you think Jamal is beneath you? Because you make more money? Because the Metro employees hold GEDs? Because you’re not a ‘‘hood rat’’? Yeah, I can’t imagine why there would be any class warfare or racial tension. Seriously, dude, the guy was doing his job. Your implication that he shouldn’t take his job seriously because he makes less money than you is classist nonsense. Almost every single job in existence is a requirement to keep the world spinning 'round. Whether it’s the guy slinging your burger or swiping your Metro card, he gets up every day and busts his ass to put food on the table _just like you do_, and he’s not going to give you a fucking pass because you’re a rich white guy. Personally, I’d rather be surrounded by employees who take their job too seriously than not seriously enough. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/95 "2010-07-27T19:49:34Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > So I drew my internet sword Is that anything like a she-penis? > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > So far, I think I’m winning. Keep going! You’re getting ever-closer to that coveted title. Thanks for the thread. Best laugh of the day. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/96 "2010-07-27T20:11:23Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > > [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > > > Hmm. Is there a name for sentences that, upon being uttered, immediately establish the truth of their negation, like ‘I am your better’? > > > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > > > So far, I think I’m winning. > > There’s another! This didn’t get any recognition, so here you go: haha! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/97 "2010-07-27T20:14:23Z")
Is there any way I can avoid developing a she-penis? I’m scared. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/98 "2010-07-27T20:19:21Z")
Don’t listen to too much Melissa Etheridge, for a start. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/99 "2010-07-27T20:23:07Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Is there any way I can avoid developing a she-penis? I’m scared. Don’t worry about it. Some men are into that. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184/100 "2010-07-27T20:24:45Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > > > Give it time. **Rand Rover** will show up eventually. He’ll understand why I’m better than Metro employees. > > Raising the possibility that this is all a whoosh > > By the way, not to get hung up on the details, but in the OP the interaction is described as racist. Aside from being of a different race from the OP -which I suspect is genetic - did Jamal do anything to deserve this description? He probably dared to raise his eyes from the floor and looked at a white man or something. I think that means we have to burn him and everything he touched. I might be wrong, though - they keep releasing new edicts about that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-your-better-do-as-i-say/548184.md?page=6)