# Weird situation: would you have stayed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369 "2011-09-23T19:19:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/161 "2011-09-25T12:45:09Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > Gotta check back in here and make a statement. > First of all: > To all you sensitive prudes with no sense of humor who think you have some god given right to go through life without being _offended_ (boo hoo): Take the stick out of your ass and lighten up. It was a joke. A fifty year old joke at that. In fact another poster laid it out exactly as I heard it 45 years ago. It involved a male truck driver if that makes you feel any better. The OP reminded me of that old joke and I posted the punchline thinking that almost everyone has heard it by now. > > Secondly: > As far as the OPs situation goes, here’s what I would have done. First I would have called 911 as the lady asked. Or maybe given her my cellphone for her to call. Then, regardless of her hysteria about what she perceived to be an emergency and I perceived to be her embarrassing predicament, I would have had a good chuckle and gone back to the office and got a coat hanger and attempted to either open the door or snag the keys. It shouldn’t have been too hard with the window open a few inches. I would have kept trying till I got it open or the authorities arrived. > > Then I would have unzi—😛 I find it strange people are getting all bent out of shape over a joke about a situation in which everything turned out fine in the end. Isn’t it common practice around here to start threads based on making puns and other wisecracks about someone who just died some (usually) bizarre death? Nobody was raped, nobody in the actual situation made the joke… I fail to see what all the fuss is about. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/162 "2011-09-25T12:51:06Z")
Phouka, the woman who nearly bit you head off when you touched the area between her beck and face, was her name Helen? The reason I said I’d leave had nothing to do with the woman’s behaviour; I just didn’t how me staying would have helped. It doesn’t sound like it would have made the woman any calmer. > [@Peanuthead](#): > > Gotta check back in here and make a statement. > First of all: > To all you sensitive prudes with no sense of humor who think you have some god given right to go through life without being _offended_ (boo hoo): Take the stick out of your ass and lighten up. It was a joke. A fifty year old joke at that. In fact another poster laid it out exactly as I heard it 45 years ago. It involved a male truck driver if that makes you feel any better. The OP reminded me of that old joke and I posted the punchline thinking that almost everyone has heard it by now. > > Secondly: > As far as the OPs situation goes, here’s what I would have done. First I would have called 911 as the lady asked. Or maybe given her my cellphone for her to call. Then, regardless of her hysteria about what she perceived to be an emergency and I perceived to be her embarrassing predicament, I would have had a good chuckle and gone back to the office and got a coat hanger and attempted to either open the door or snag the keys. It shouldn’t have been too hard with the window open a few inches. I would have kept trying till I got it open or the authorities arrived. > > Then I would have unzi—😛 You’re entitled to make a terrible joke about rape, and others are entitled to say what they thought of it. Freedom of speech goes both ways - it doesn’t mean ‘freedom to say shitty things with no comeback.’ If you can’t handle people criticising you for making a joke about rape, then don’t make a joke about rape. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/163 "2011-09-25T12:52:59Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > I find it strange people are getting all bent out of shape over a joke about a situation in which everything turned out fine in the end. > > Isn’t it common practice around here to start threads based on making puns and other wisecracks about someone who just died some (usually) bizarre death? > > Nobody was raped, nobody in the actual situation made the joke… I fail to see what all the fuss is about. ‘All the fuss?’ A few people said they didn’t like the joke. That’s fuss? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/164 "2011-09-25T13:07:36Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Because he could have rectified her predicament much more quickly per one of those suggestions. By the OP she was getting nastier and nastier with each offering. She didn’t want his suggestions, she wanted him to call 911. > [@](#): > > Yes, since the cops said it would take 30 to 45 minutes for them to get there. Non-emergency line. I think 911 has a chance of being faster. And so? 10 minutes, 30 minutes- not much of a difference. ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/165 "2011-09-25T13:14:50Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > ‘All the fuss?’ A few people said they didn’t like the joke. That’s fuss? Sure, it was a bit of a fuss. Usually if you don’t find a joke funny, you don’t laugh, or otherwise ignore it. Here we had a handful typing in that it made them feel ill and others rushing in to assure them that “surely it was only about peeing on the woman”, when it clearly was a joke that was dealing with rape. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/166 "2011-09-25T13:21:50Z")
> [@jem\_1](#): > > I hope that the woman googles “Womans arm stuck in car window” because she will find this website, and will perhaps be somewhat comforted in reading that many of the people here responded to the original question of “would you have stayed” with a YES!!! Somehow I think all the bad names she’s been called would kinda take the shine off that comfort a bit. And the rape jokes would probably send her back over the edge. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/167 "2011-09-25T13:58:10Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > ‘All the fuss?’ A few people said they didn’t like the joke. That’s fuss? > [@misterW](#): > > Sure, it was a bit of a fuss. It’s like watching Seinfeld. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/168 "2011-09-25T14:00:21Z")
People don’t necessarily know how they’re going go react when they’re panicked. There are some people who lose control. And couldn’t long term swelling lead to blood clots? Blood clots can be serious, even fatal. That sounds like an emergency to me. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/169 "2011-09-25T14:04:29Z")
I’m still marveling over the fact that she stuck her arm in and got stuck. I keep being reminded of that Simpsons where Homer stuck his arms in the vending machine to get soda. Apparently people like this exist in real life… ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/170 "2011-09-25T14:14:14Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > It’s like watching Seinfeld. He’s George and I’m Jerry? ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/171 "2011-09-25T14:18:08Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > Sure, it was a bit of a fuss. Usually if you don’t find a joke funny, you don’t laugh, or otherwise ignore it. Here we had a handful typing in that it made them feel ill and others rushing in to assure them that “surely it was only about peeing on the woman”, when it clearly was a joke that was dealing with rape. So what are your posts complaining about the fuss then? They definitely have to count as a fuss if the others do… ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/172 "2011-09-25T14:21:18Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > He’s George and I’m Jerry? I’d have to be Elaine if anyone, though TBH being compared to anyone from Seinfeld wouldn’t be exactly flattering. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/173 "2011-09-25T14:30:45Z")
> [@drillrod](#): > > In this scenario, we have fulfilled exactly the same requirement of calling for assistance. It’s just our motivation for leaving that has changed. If we were leaving because of irritation at her panic or because we didn’t want to be further inconvenienced, would this in any way change your opinion of the OP? The other way to look at it is this: If the OP had returned the next morning and found her still there (in what kind of state, I’m afraid to guess) would he have still felt like he made a ethically defensible decision? I have a feeling the answer to that is no. Just because things apparently worked out (and we don’t even know that it did…help could have showed up hours later) doesn’t change the analysis as to whether he did the right thing. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/174 "2011-09-25T14:32:49Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > ( **kayaker** , while pulling down his fly) “Lady, looks like this just ain’t your day.” You made me laugh. And I saw the crapyou are getting. Still funny. ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/175 "2011-09-25T14:35:12Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > So what are your posts complaining about the fuss then? They definitely have to count as a fuss if the others do… No way. I had only one post, and I didn’t complain of any negative physical symptoms caused by the other posts. Therefore, no fuss. Mine was more of a critique, if you will. Now, the longer we talk about it, the closer it will come to being an actual fuss. : ) ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/176 "2011-09-25T14:43:05Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > No way. I had only one post, and I didn’t complain of any negative physical symptoms caused by the other posts. Therefore, no fuss. Mine was more of a critique, if you will. Now, the longer we talk about it, the closer it will come to being an actual fuss. : ) I don’t see anyone else making more than one post either. Well, except me now, but that’s because of your post - round and round we go. 😃 Making a fuss would be a pit thread started on it, or if everyone had reported it (I didn’t because it was just a joke, even though it was one I found horrible in many ways , including that it wasn’t funny). It is kinda sweet that some people thought he meant peeing, not rape. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/177 "2011-09-25T15:35:17Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > No way. I had only one post, and I didn’t complain of any negative physical symptoms caused by the other posts. Therefore, no fuss. Mine was more of a critique, if you will. Now, the longer we talk about it, the closer it will come to being an actual fuss. : ) Maybe I can tip the balance to full-on fuss here… 😉 “Physical symptoms”? > [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](#): > > -snip- > > Also serious ick to the rape jokes. > [@Shannon](#): > > I heartily second the “serious ick”. > [@Broomstick](#): > > The “show me your tits” comment was pretty skeevy, too -snip- > [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > Without venturing into GD territory, many people don’t think rape is very funny. > [@jsgoddess](#): > > -snip- > The rape jokes made me feel uncomfortable and grossed out. > [@SciFiSam](#): > > -snip- > Add me as another who REALLY disliked peanuthead’s rape joke. > [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Jokes about anything can be funny in the right context. This is not the right context. What did I miss here? A handful of posters, a veritable torch-bearing mob with me and my pitchfork at the helm. Shouting “ICK!!!” and “NOT VERY FUNNY!!!” and “I REALLY DISLIKED THAT!!!” Dude, I don’t even see anyone saying that the estimable **Peanuthead** and cohort shouldn’t have made the jokes - we just voiced our objection on grounds varying from “not funny” to “uncomfortable.” Perhaps it is you who should grow a thicker skin. Rape jokes are allowed on this board, but polite objection to jokes is also allowed. > [@SciFiSam](#): > > You’re entitled to make a terrible joke about rape, and others are entitled to say what they thought of it. Freedom of speech goes both ways - it doesn’t mean ‘freedom to say shitty things with no comeback.’ If you can’t handle people criticising you for making a joke about rape, then don’t make a joke about rape. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/178 "2011-09-25T15:50:31Z")
Ok. Torch bearing villagers shouting “ICK” has got me giggling. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lovely_Margo_Lane)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/179 "2011-09-25T15:54:34Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Ok. Torch bearing villagers shouting “ICK” has got me giggling. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369/180 "2011-09-25T16:40:29Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Ok. Torch bearing villagers shouting “ICK” has got me giggling. Me too. Maybe they’ll follow up with the dreaded ‘eww!’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-situation-would-you-have-stayed/597369.md?page=10)