# There's clueless, then there's "how do you remember how to breathe" clueless **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 28, 2024, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938 "2024-09-28T08:44:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/41 "2024-09-28T18:09:15Z")
Sticking with the bathroom theme, I was on a 14 hr flight recently, and went to use the bathroom. The sign said “Vacant”, so I pushed the door and there was a young woman (late teens-20s) sitting on the can. Woulda thought most folk would know enough to push the latch to lock the door and signal “Occupied” (not to mention turning on the light.) ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/42 "2024-09-28T18:40:40Z")
> [@vbob](#): > > The friends were identical twin sisters - each easily lifted one end of a couch - but they could NOT manage to move the ends in opposite directions. Clear sign of quantum entanglement ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/43 "2024-09-28T19:11:13Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I once saw a couple of professional movers, moving a couch down the stairs. You wouldn’t think that there’d be a minimum intelligence requirement for furniture movers, but the one guy apparently didn’t understand that, in order to carry something, you had to lift it up and then walk while it was lifted. His partner showed admirable patience in trying to explain it to him. Reminds me of stories one of the guys on Customers Suck tells about his co-irkers (look for posts about “Mickey Mouse Moving”). The rest of us have concluded that MMM has a maximum IQ limit, and it’s at “can barely dress himself in the morning” levels, with our poster having somehow snuck in past that. > [@robby](#): > > Exactly. Maybe the reason the guy was so persistent was because he assumed that if there was actually a person in there they would have said something by then. One would think visible feet in the stall might have provided a clue, but maybe the clues are especially resistant to capture over there. > [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > A minor example, but: In a grocery store parking lot. As I pulled into a space i saw a woman getting into a car. Ahead of her the facing space was empty and she could easily have driven through it to leave. > > She backed out. Are you sure there wasn’t one of those stopper things at the inner end of her parking space, or a weirdly shaped piece of landscaping that would have created a problem? Both of these are annoyingly common in my area. DH and I have concluded that drunk chimps on hallucinogens are considered over-qualified for parking lot design in our area. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/44 "2024-09-28T19:13:24Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > How come you didn’t say, “Someone in here”? Yeah, for me it’s utterly bizarre not to say something or make a noise in that situation. Especially when it happens again, and a third time. I have come across toilet stalls that have somehow been locked with nobody in them before, so it’s not a crazy assumption to the person trying to get in to think it may be accidentally locked. Especailly when there’s no response from within. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/45 "2024-09-28T19:22:07Z")
> [@TXRebel](#): > > I agree. I always just say “Occupied” Done. No more drama. “Go away.” “We gave at the office.” “Take a number.” ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/46 "2024-09-28T19:32:12Z")
> [@abcdefghij](#): > > > [@vbob](#): > > > > The friends were identical twin sisters - each easily lifted one end of a couch - but they could NOT manage to move the ends in opposite directions. > > Clear sign of quantum entanglement I was thinking of [the same thing](https://dirkgently.fandom.com/wiki/Sofa_on_the_staircase) ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/47 "2024-09-28T20:02:12Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > If the car backing out was produced after 2018 then it had a rear view camera and most likley also had vehicle detection system. Makes backing out a lot safer than sticking your nose out while waiting to see if you get clipped. Well, there’s my problem – I’m driving a [2006 Scion xB](https://www.iihs.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=636/api/ratings/model-year-images/2135/). None of those fancy-schmancy camera assists for me, alas. But not much of a hood to poke out. > [@Seanette](#): > > Are you sure there wasn’t one of those stopper things at the inner end of her parking space, or a weirdly shaped piece of landscaping that would have created a problem? Nope, it’s your basic parking lot with a double row of painted line defined spaces. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/48 "2024-09-28T20:12:43Z")
> [@TXRebel](#): > > I agree. I always just say “Occupied” Done. No more drama. I generally say something like “Yeah”, in a deep voice. ---
**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:** [September 28, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/49 "2024-09-28T20:27:40Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > The rest of us have concluded that MMM has a maximum IQ limit, and it’s at “can barely dress himself in the morning” levels… Hey! mmm ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/50 "2024-09-28T20:31:33Z")
As we’d say over in the MMP, NOMMM (Not Our MMM). ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/51 "2024-09-28T20:35:05Z")
Did he try saying ‘pivot’? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/52 "2024-09-28T21:26:24Z")
> [@Moonrise](#): > > I was in a toilet stall minding my business when someone grabbed the door handle and pulled. I hate that. Of course, I had locked the door but I don’t like being… disturbed. Plus this shouldn’t even happen as there’s a red sign that shows the stall is occupied. Anyways. > > Clueless guy tried a second time, harder. I was getting annoyed. > > He tried a \*\*\*\*\*\*\* _third_ time. I was now officially pissed off. Clueless guy must have sensed it because he left, at last. > > Plot twist, he was back less than 30 seconds later, with reinforcements ! > > He grabbed the door handle again and pulled so hard the whole doorframe was shaking. Then, I heard one of our cleaning staff I will add to the chorus wondering why you didn’t just say something by pointing out that if there’s someone in a toilet stall who’s unresponsive – occasionally it’s because they’re seriously ill, and somebody ought to check into it. I’ll grant that before trying to pull the door down and/or going for help I’d have tried asking whether the person was OK, and that this person doesn’t seem to have done that. But I’m adding the comment in here to further encourage you to just speak up next time. > [@chela](#): > > I sometimes back out as I know how mommio andrettis like to speed thru parking lots. I witnessed a lady creeping creeping forward out of a parking space and at the last minute some clueless woman sped by and took off the forward pulling car’s bumper Why would it be any safer to back out in that situation? Somebody could just as easily come speeding by behind you; and they’d be harder to see than if you were pulling forward. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/53 "2024-09-28T21:29:30Z")
When possible, I prefer a parking spot in which I can pull forward so to the spot just ahead so I can pull out when I need to leave. (My car predates back-up cameras so I prefer not to back into parking spots.) ---
**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:** [September 28, 2024, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/54 "2024-09-28T21:39:52Z")
There’s [this hilarious exchange](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p0J65FOIgQ) on Fox with one of their airheads. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/55 "2024-09-28T21:41:42Z")
Never saw that before but it’s hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/56 "2024-09-28T21:44:48Z")
Threads such as these always put me in mind of a co-worker from many years ago. Another co-worker and I were discussing the difficulties she was having to obtain a social security number for her adolescent son, who happened to be born in the UK while his military father was stationed there. Apparently obtaining the birth certificate was creating problems. The clueless co-worker chimed in: “Oh, I know just what you mean! I had the same problem with my son. He was born in Hawaii!” Umm. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/57 "2024-09-28T21:56:54Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Maybe the reason the guy was so persistent was because he assumed that if there was actually a person in there they would have said something by then. or maybe he thought the guy had died on the toilet, and that explains why he went to go get help. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/58 "2024-09-28T22:11:28Z")
When backing up Expect optimum Vision using side view and rear view mirrors plus rv camera Obstacles ahead pulling forward that may obstruct vision. If clear of parked Cars zoom away aiic ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/59 "2024-09-28T22:17:21Z")
This actually happened to a coworker. We had some individual restrooms and we all had a key that fit all the restrooms. Someone knocked, got no answer and tried to open the door. Couldn’t actually get it open because someone was passed out blocking the door. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938/60 "2024-09-28T22:28:33Z")
Speaking of parking, every Sat I park in a parking deck (at OPRF for Dopers from that burb.). It has those notoriously narrow spaces which are so common these days. As I was leaving this morning, an old guy entered driving a pretty old Mercedes (I dunno, maybe 80s?) I was chatting with a friend, and we watched him pull in and back out and pull in again at least 6-8 times. Then he sat there for a minute or so, and pulled in/out several more times. Then he got out of his car and started walking away, only to get back in and pull out.in 5-6 more times. I shoulda walked down after he was done to see what PERFECT parking looks like. (Oh yeah, from where I was, it looked like the assend of his car was hanging out further than it needed to.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-clueless-then-theres-how-do-you-remember-how-to-breathe-clueless/1007938.md?page=4)