# I know you are, but what am I? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2004, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-you-are-but-what-am-i/230582 "2004-02-23T01:52:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mutsugoro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Mutsugoro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mutsugoro)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-you-are-but-what-am-i/230582/1 "2004-02-23T01:52:28Z")
As far as I am concerned, anyone possessing poise, a smile, a confident and/or approachable manner, and relative cleanliness of person is appealing. While lurking here over the last couple of years I have noticed frequent insulting comments about the personal attractiveness of any \*(name your idol here) \* notable human being whose talent- not physical appearance- is the actual topic of the original post. I am taking a guess at the purpose of these attacks: 1. An insult is dumped because a member does not agree with the talent or skill of the aforementioned person. 2. Immaturity. An ill-mannered attempt to make an amusing statement at the expense of both the subject and the original post. 3. The opinion of an expert. A perfectly gorgeous and genetically gifted aesthetician with the academic authority to deign who is and is not attractive. I have been lurking here for a couple of years as an unqualified expert on anything. I never fail to learn something useful each time I browse this site, and quite honestly I seldom have anything to contribute. The collective IQ concentrated here most likely has the power to solve many troubling social, political, philosophical, and medical issues. I respect many of the regulars here, and am often impressed or touched by the insight of new posters. But I am occasionally repelled by the lack of good manners and the personal insults noted here. It seems terribly unfair to make fun of height/ weight/ hair/ skin/ teeth/ facial features or any unchangeable physical characteristic donated by one’s parents. Why is it socially acceptable to make fun of peculiar or distinctive physical features? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-you-are-but-what-am-i/230582/2 "2004-02-23T03:35:12Z")
[igor]What hump?[/igor] ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-you-are-but-what-am-i/230582/3 "2004-02-24T15:33:04Z")
I’ve been thinking this thread should be merged with another one I saw. The new thread would be **I know you are, but what am I, chopped liver?** I might even make it my sig line for a while. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-you-are-but-what-am-i/230582/4 "2004-02-24T17:23:44Z")
I never considered it socially acceptable to mock someone, especially concerning something over which one has no control. However, if a person is looking to hurt another, attacks like this are an easy way to do it. I’m thinking it’s also the cheap shot employed by someone who is incapable of leveling a legitimate criticism. How sad is it if I disagree with your politics but the best rejoinder I can muster is “Yer ugly and yer momma dresses ya funny!” Maybe any offense is better than no defense? \ ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-you-are-but-what-am-i/230582/5 "2004-02-24T20:50:10Z")
Sometimes an obviously ridiculous insult is the best thing you can say. It’s suitably feisty, but too over-the-top to start a fight. e.g. _Yerrrrr motherrr eats rrrrats!_ ---
**Author:** ![jastu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@jastu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jastu)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-you-are-but-what-am-i/230582/6 "2004-02-25T02:58:30Z")
I’m only new to this board so I haven’t noticed this as yet. I would say if it’s happening it would come down to immaturity.