# No, dumb bitch, we don't take anyone's American Express card
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [November 16, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697 "2015-11-16T15:09:07Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 12
### Author:  [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2015, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/221 "2015-11-26T12:03:14Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> “General quirkiness”? :dubious:
It means she’s so annoying that she’s useless in a job setting.
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### Author:  [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/222 "2015-11-26T17:20:22Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#):
>
> (supposed to be) is the key point of your sentence. I had thirteen various “professionals” telling me I could get disability because of my hand and general quirkiness. And more people telling me how to get disability. One such person got disability because she couldn’t stand to be in a room with more than three people!
>
> Disability is one big scam.
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> “General quirkiness”? :dubious:
I broke my foot once… but I only have a slight case of local quirkiness, unfortunately.
What about the thirteen “various” professionals""!?
Since “professionals” is wrapped in quotes, I assume the thirteen did not include actual professionals, such as a doctor and the like. Lawyers, maybe?
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/223 "2015-11-26T18:54:15Z")
> [@Sparky812](#):
>
> What about the thirteen “various” professionals""!?
>
> Since “professionals” is wrapped in quotes, I assume the thirteen did not include actual professionals, such as a doctor and the like. Lawyers, maybe?
Three card sharps, four semi-pro linebackers, an escort, three electricians, a plumber, and a mason.
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### Author:  [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/224 "2015-11-26T23:43:40Z")
How are all of these undeserving people getting disability? My best friend was a truck driver for over 30 years, but now his right hip and right are so bad, both are about to be replaced. He applied for disability and was denied and had to get a lawyer. He still hasn’t been approved and his lawyer has been working on it for almost a year.
I thought the only people who are approved easily for disability, are those for whom death is a certainty. It seems everyone else is always denied the first time they apply, and has to hire a lawyer.
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### Author:  [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2015, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/225 "2015-11-27T00:10:49Z")
My dentist told me about a patient (pre-HIPAA) who had a stroke and was paralyzed on the entire left side of her body and she was turned down (after a year spent going through the process) because ‘she could still do some kind of work’. It’s pretty well understood in my state that first refusals are routine and no one gets disability without a lawyer.
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### Author:  [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/226 "2015-11-27T00:18:36Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#):
>
> My dentist told me about a patient (pre-HIPAA) who had a stroke and was paralyzed on the entire left side of her body and she was turned down (after a year spent going through the process) because ‘she could still do some kind of work’. It’s pretty well understood in my state that first refusals are routine and no one gets disability without a lawyer.
Yes, that’s exactly the way it here (New York). The only ones who get it on the first try are the ones who are dying. They have actually expedited the process for those folks.
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### Author:  [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/227 "2015-11-27T00:20:28Z")
> [@piepiepie](#):
>
> “Oh no! Not Manic Pixie Dreamgirlitis. How much longer do I have, Doctor?”
>
> “You’ll make it to five seasons and syndication, somehow. You might even get a gig with cotton. It’s not the death sentence it used to be.”
Experimental therapies playing Regina Spektor songs backwards to sufferers have shown promising results.
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### Author:  [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)
#### Post date: [November 27, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/228 "2015-11-27T00:20:31Z")
That has been my understanding od the process here in Va, as well. First try is automatic no (or nearly so). You have to work to get it.
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### Author:  [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/229 "2015-11-28T16:28:15Z")
> [@Sparky812](#):
>
> What about the thirteen “various” professionals""!?
>
> Since “professionals” is wrapped in quotes, I assume the thirteen did not include actual professionals, such as a doctor and the like. Lawyers, maybe?
Two lawyers, three psychologists (one told me “I don’t understand why you can’t be happy on disability.” You don’t understand needing to do something with your life?), four employment counselors (one described disability as "just another way to support yourself), and five people working for Vocational Rehab.
You have to apply THREE times before they will consider you for disability. Apparently you’re supposed to live in a shelter and do nothing while waiting for it.
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### Author:  [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/230 "2015-11-28T19:14:53Z")
> [@Penfeather](#):
>
> Experimental therapies playing Regina Spektor songs backwards to sufferers have shown promising results.
Unfortunately, you have to apply it THREE times before you’re cured.
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### Author:  [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/231 "2015-11-28T19:49:01Z")
> [@piepiepie](#):
>
> Unfortunately, you have to apply it THREE times before you’re cured.
She’s not responding! It’s dangerous, but I’m going to try some Bjork!
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### Author:  [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2015, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/232 "2015-11-28T20:38:24Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#):
>
> Two lawyers, three psychologists (one told me “I don’t understand why you can’t be happy on disability.” You don’t understand needing to do something with your life?), four employment counselors (one described disability as "just another way to support yourself), and five people working for Vocational Rehab.
With three separate psychologists telling you you’re unfit for work, I’m guessing you applied for disability for the wrong ailment. A dodgy wrist isn’t going to cut it, but I bet that mental health thing might’ve worked out for you.
(That’s not a knock against mental health SSDI recipients; I was one myself.)
> [@](#):
>
> You have to apply THREE times before they will consider you for disability.
(_The light dawns_…) Do you think disability consultants [look like this](http://www.jewishjournal.com/images/made/bf20ff0b6dded448/rel_russia_olympics_21814_539_332_c1.jpg)? Because being turned down three times… that’s for a whole different process.
But seriously, I mentioned above that I was on SSDI. Astonishingly, I only had to apply once, even here in NY. Of course this was back in early 2001 so maybe things are stricter now–and after all the scary stories of how difficult it was, I was shocked to be approved so quickly. I knew I was extraordinarily fortunate (well, as fortunate as one can be when one is too ill to work).
Point is, despite the difficulty, if one is genuinely disabled, you go through the system because that’s all you _can_ do, sad to say. Otherwise if you can find [substantial gainful employment](https://www.socialsecurity.gov/oact/cola/sga.html)and manage to continue with it–back when I was on it, the level was $740, it’s higher now–you’re ineligible by definition.
But one bad wrist, unless it caused agonizing pain from dawn till dusk and was unlikely to improve, clearly didn’t preclude some other form of labor. Thus you weren’t officially disabled. QED.
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### Author:  [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/233 "2015-11-28T21:17:16Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#):
>
> Two lawyers, three psychologists (one told me “I don’t understand why you can’t be happy on disability.” You don’t understand needing to do something with your life?), four employment counselors (one described disability as "just another way to support yourself), and five people working for Vocational Rehab.
>
> You have to apply THREE times before they will consider you for disability. Apparently you’re supposed to live in a shelter and do nothing while waiting for it.
Many employment counselors and Voc rehab counselors will suggest you apply for disability both as a way to support yourself while you look for work and so that they can get reimbursed for providing services to you. I’m going to bet they were suggesting you apply on the basis of mental health rather than your wrist or “General quirkiness.”
Also, people who receive ssdi are only collecting money they have paid into the system. It isn’t a scam, or the dole, or the taxpayer’s dollar.
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/234 "2015-11-29T15:35:28Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#):
>
> I worked in a grocery store right out of high school. Started as a grocery bagger often loading groceries into customers’ cars and then became a checker. Worked there about eight months. Never encountered a belligerent or angry customer nor experienced cursing coming from a customer. On the contrary almost everyone was smiling, considerate and polite.
>
> This was in 1967. People were raised much differently then and behaved accordingly.
I worked many retail jobs in high school and college (1983 - 1991). This included restaurants, grocery stores, and department stores. Like you, I never encountered an asshole-ish customer. I do not have an explanation.
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### Author:  [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/235 "2015-11-29T15:58:34Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> I worked many retail jobs in high school and college (1983 - 1991). This included restaurants, grocery stores, and department stores. Like you, I never encountered an asshole-ish customer. I do not have an explanation.
Well, the only logical explanation is that you clearly live in a time-warp bubble that brings you back to the golden era of American culture, which were the 1950s.
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### Author:  [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/236 "2015-11-29T16:28:41Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#):
>
> Well, the only logical explanation is that you clearly live in a time-warp bubble that brings you back to the golden era of American culture, which were the 1950s.
My grandparents spoke of this too. Tell us more about this golden era please. 😛
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### Author:  [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/237 "2015-11-29T16:43:38Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> I worked many retail jobs in high school and college (1983 - 1991). This included restaurants, grocery stores, and department stores. Like you, I never encountered an asshole-ish customer. I do not have an explanation.
It’s probably you. Most people who work in retail are kind of unemployable elsewhere, like they can’t get good jobs. It’s probably because they have personality issues and have trouble getting along with other people - that’s the most logical explanation. I imagine you’re just one of those rare birds that happened to work in retail for a period of time but were destined all along for better things.
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/238 "2015-11-29T17:04:05Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#):
>
> It’s probably you. Most people who work in retail are kind of unemployable elsewhere, like they can’t get good jobs. It’s probably because they have personality issues and have trouble getting along with other people - that’s the most logical explanation. I imagine you’re just one of those rare birds that happened to work in retail for a period of time but were destined all along for better things.
Well to be fair, we certainly had some customers whom I would describe as “rude” or “snobby.” But I experienced nothing akin to some of the stories I’ve read in this thread. I am also not saying these stories are not true. Perhaps times have changed. I dunno.
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### Author:  [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/239 "2015-11-29T18:36:17Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> Well to be fair, we certainly had some customers whom I would describe as “rude” or “snobby.” But I experienced nothing akin to some of the stories I’ve read in this thread. I am also not saying these stories are not true. Perhaps times have changed. I dunno.
Location has a hell of a lot to do with it; I worked in a zoo shop for several years, and, we never got nasty customers, just the odd slightly rude person. When I moved to my current city, I briefly got a job at a small grocery, on a main street, and ye gods the crazies were out in force there.
Screaming lunatics were a daily occurrence, and no, it didn’t matter who was on the till, the crazies were there for someone to scream abuse at, and they didn’t care who. It could be for anything, or nothing, didn’t stock their favourite yoghurt? The ATM directly oiutside charges money (even though there was a free one less than 100m away)? The shop closed at night? All got a jolly good screaming about, and of course the perennial favourite: can’t serve you alcohol because you’re so drunk you can barely stand.
One elderly guy used to come in daily, scour the shop for anything in the wrong place (say, moved by another customer) then take it to the counter to wave it at whoever was there and scream abuse at them. He eventually got banned from the shop for (somewhat hilariously) throwing an empty plastic bag at me and calling me a “fucking useless cunt”. Charming fellow.
Oh, and most people who worked there were students, recent immigrants who didn’t speak great English yet, people restarting work after personal disasters (bankruptcy, health issues) and mums who need flexible hours to work around school times. Very few idiots.
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### Author:  [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2015, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dumb-bitch-we-dont-take-anyones-american-express-card/737697/240 "2015-11-29T19:21:09Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#):
>
> Well, the only logical explanation is that you clearly live in a time-warp bubble that brings you back to the golden era of American culture, which were the 1950s.
Actually, the golden age was the 1930s, when people were poor, but honest.
Nobody among today’s customariat could say their parents were poor, but honest and mean it.
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