# "Wassup" with black men? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 6, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448 "2003-08-06T22:50:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/121 "2003-08-12T21:08:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > \*\*Did I mention I won’t eat fried chicken in public? How sad is that? \*\* I thought I was the only one, 'cept with me it’s watermelon. I eat way too much yardbird to be ashamed to eat it in public. I just wish we had more Popeye’s in the Bay Area. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/122 "2003-08-12T21:13:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lezlers \* > \*\*I failed to see how your bank example was the least bit condecsending. \*\* Well, I **did** say I couldn’t think of a better example… \*\* > [@](#): > > You sound like a real party to be around… \*\* I sure am! _gets out the party hats and horns_ _beep!_ ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/123 "2003-08-12T21:21:04Z")
Well the fact that you would even think that instance when discussing how people “mock” you speaks for your hypersensitivity. Loosen up, you’ll be much happier in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![greck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ab992/32.png) [@greck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greck)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/124 "2003-08-12T21:38:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by panache45 \* > \*\*I’m walking down the street, and there’s a black man about to pass me. > > “Wassup?” > > I go into a public men’s room, and there’s a black guy there. > > “Hey, how’s it goin’?” > > I’m walking down a hallway in the hospital where I work, and there’s a black male maintenance worker. > > “Yo, 'sup?” > > Now I (who happen to be a white guy) don’t get this from black women, or white people of either gender, or people of any other race or ethnicity. Only black men who are total strangers. No one else could care less how I’m doin’ (or especially how it’s hangin’). I guess it’s nice to know that some people are trying to be friendly, but why is it only black men? \*\* It’s cause you’re staring at them. They either have to greet you or fight you. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/125 "2003-08-12T21:49:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > \*\*Did I mention I won’t eat fried chicken in public? How sad is that? \*\* It is really sad. And it’s all because a few ignorant jerk-offs continue to perpetuate unrealistic and negative stereotypes. Assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/126 "2003-08-12T22:41:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lezlers \* > \*\*Well the fact that you would even think that instance when discussing how people “mock” you speaks for your hypersensitivity. \*\* It’s not so much the content, but the fact that I **know** that they wouldn’t joke around with almost any other customer at their expense. The fact that they feel ‘safe’ to tease me in a situation where they wouldn’t to, say, a 65 year old woman or some random guy in a business suit tells me that they feel ‘safe’ in not taking me seriously, because I’m smaller than them, and what am I gonna do, hit them? More likely just laugh weakly and meekly shuffle off. And that pisses me off, royally. I’m a human being, dammit. I have dignity. They have no right to treat me like some kind of child they can push around for laughs. I’m sick of that. And I also have the knowledge that I’m hijacking, so I’ll stop. \*\* > [@](#): > > Loosen up, you’ll be much happier in the long run. \*\* This is very true. Hell, I think most of the nation should follow this advice. Didja know that we work more and have less vacation time than any other Western nation? Isn’t that screwed up? (Eek, more hijacking. Sorry 'bout that. :)) ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/127 "2003-08-12T22:46:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > \*\*Did I mention I won’t eat fried chicken in public? How sad is that? \*\* You know, it took me until quite literally recently to even hear about this stereotype. Is it limited only to certain areas, or is it pretty much everywhere? But previous posters are right, it takes a big asshole to take it seriously, and to make their idiotic stereotypical thoughts so obvious in public. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/128 "2003-08-12T22:52:01Z")
> [@](#): > > I want to leave them thinking that not all us Black women wiggle our necks, snap our fingers and say ‘You go girl!’ at the end of everything. I’m too clumsy to go “cobra” on anyone. My coworkers laugh at me because they–everyone is white–can do it except for me. Maybe I just haven’t gotten angry enough. However, I do find myself saying “girl” a lot. As in, “I haven’t seen you in a long time, girl! What’s going on?!” I can’t help it. Must be genetic. I eat fried chicken without shame. But after a guy once asked me why black people eat stuff like cheetoes and orange soda all the time, I have admittedly distanced myself from these foods. (Probably to my benefit) [sad testimony] I used to be a class clown. When I was in high school, I would crack everyone up with my antics, which would always involve some kind of physical humor–like my crazy-ass dancing. One day, a friend (black) told me that I was embarrassing because I was perpetuating the stereotype of the foolish, goofy negro. The kids who did the most laughing were always white, she said. She said I looked like a fool in front of them. Despite the fact that I enjoy making people happy and the fact that laughing at myself helped to lift my poor self-image, I toned down my behavior. Just because I didn’t want to look like a black fool. [sub]But I guess it didn’t work all the way, because I was voted Most Humorous by my senior class.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/129 "2003-08-12T22:55:55Z")
**Leaper** The thread has already veered pretty far off it’s initial course so I wouldn’t worry too much about hijacking at this point. How do you **know** they wouldn’t joke around with a 65 year old woman or man in a business suit? I ask because when I worked in customer service I’d joke with people all the time, it’s a way of breaking the ice in that type of situation. I get “teased” in this fashion all the time now and I take it as it’s meant, as an ice breaker. I can pretty much gurantee they’re not doing it to push you around. I’ve seen young girls do it to men too. How are you sure they’re not just flirting with you? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/130 "2003-08-13T00:03:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > \*\*Did I mention I won’t eat fried chicken in public? How sad is that? \*\* Or watermelon (luckily, I don’t really like watermelon - and I have issues with eating chicken off of bones). But I _avoid_ it. And I should be simply able to decline food because of how it tastes rather than how it looks when I eat it. And I also very much overdo the “no, I’m not a threat. Really, really swear I’m not” body language and the associated hyper-friendliness. ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/131 "2003-08-13T00:36:57Z")
> [@](#): > > from _monstro_ > I eat fried chicken without shame. But after a guy once asked me why black people eat stuff like cheetoes and orange soda all the time, I have admittedly distanced myself from these foods. (Probably to my benefit) Cheetos and orange soda? That’s a new one to me… And I always thought the “fried chicken and watermelon” one seemed to be an older cliche, like something out of the 70s. Although I’m guessing it originated even farther back. All I know is, this pasty white Monstre loves both cheetos and orange soda. (not to mention fried chicken and just about any kind of melon) Damn, now I’m getting hungry… ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/132 "2003-08-13T02:04:24Z")
That’s cuz you gots _soul_ **Monstre**. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/133 "2003-08-13T02:55:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Who\_me? \* > \*\*It isn’t only black guys, I do it myself. I talk to strangers in line at the store, to people in the street, anywhere I see someone I’m liable to say something to them. “What’s up” is only one of the things I say. > > It used to drive my ex batty…🙂 \*\* See now, I talk to people everywhere… but about stuff. I’ll ask their opinion on something, or comment about whatever… At the grocery store I’ll often remark about the tabloid headlines… ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/134 "2003-08-13T03:00:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GingerOfTheNorth \* > \*\*Why? I couldn’t be black, then. I like toast. \*\* Oh man, you haven’t _lived_ 'til you’ve had some deep-fried toast! ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/135 "2003-08-13T03:53:40Z")
Once in a high school class a teacher (and I forget what started this) talked a little bit about stereotypes, and tried to think of some…safe ones…to mention, and he gave, as an example, black people liking chicken. There were two black girls in my class, identical twins. I thought that they were sleeping through the class, until he mentioned the chicken, and one of them spoke up and said “But I do like chicken.” Soon after her sister agreed. I found that kind of amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/136 "2003-08-13T05:17:08Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Sublight_ > They’re trying to recruit you. It’s part of the black agenda. It’s true! It’s all part of the Internizzational Crizziminal Conspizziracy! There IS a Black Mafia! Don’t believe me? Go to Google and search for “NBA.” The truth is out there! This is a devious group of pimp daddies, mack daddies and jive muthafuckas out there to put us clowns, honkeys and crackers on the Soul Train to the Whitecentration Camp! If we don’t watch out, they’ll be kickin’ it old school before we know it! It’ll be a whole world of Blaxploitation! By the way, Dave Chapelle has discovered that the stereotypical white food is the scone. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/137 "2003-08-13T05:50:13Z")
I’d just like to chime in and say that I’ve lived in the south allmost all my life, and everyone can feel confident that no one down here will mock you for eating fried chicken and watermelon. However, regardless of your color, if you _don’t_ like fried chicken and watermelon, we’ll assume you’re a yankee and chase you around with pitchforks. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/138 "2003-08-13T06:35:32Z")
Not living in the US, the only people who sax “wuzzup?” to me do in text (which makes them black AND white, I guess) on the internet. My question is this: How do I respond to that? “Well, thanks.” “Nothing. Don’t worry, I’m fine. Nothing’s up, honest.” “The sky. Fnarr fnarrr wheeze.” It honestly makes me a little awkward, because I find it an odd construction. FTR, puts me down as somebody who finds complete strangers talking to him a little creepy. I’m always waiting for the two-hander handshake with eye contact, when I get that. Still, I know that some people just do it because they’re outgoing and happy, which only makes me feel more guilty for distrusting them. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/139 "2003-08-13T06:38:19Z")
**Monkey With A Gun** is right. I’m as white as you can get and have lived in the South for my entire life but if I were to admit to people that I hate watermelon and dislike fried chicken, you’d find me hanging from a tree come morning. I blame it on my Yankee mother. ---
**Author:** ![Trafalgar\_Laura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trafalgar_laura/32/2907_2.png) [@Trafalgar\_Laura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trafalgar_Laura)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/140 "2003-08-13T10:01:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TheLoadedDog \*\*\* > > My question is this: How do I respond to that? > “Well, thanks.” > “Nothing. Don’t worry, I’m fine. Nothing’s up, honest.” > “The sky. Fnarr fnarrr wheeze.” > \*\* I always thought the correct response to “Wassup” was a hearty “Wassup” in return. It isn’t actually a question as much as a verbal handshake, right? _Of course I am a lily white female, so my authority on this matter is questionable._ 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448.md?page=8)