# What Are Your Superficial / Snap Judgement Criteria? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2005, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125 "2005-02-21T04:43:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/21 "2005-02-21T18:30:54Z")
A lot of good answers here (especially **Queen Tonya’s** ). Please allow me to add: country kitsch! I fear people who collect apron-wearing ducks and cows and wreaths of dried flowers. I see that, and I know we have nothing further to say to one another. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/22 "2005-02-21T18:46:10Z")
Some of these judgements may not be as superficial as you think. There was a study done where a subject was asked to fill out a complicated psychological assessment. One group of participants would either exhaustively interview, collect background information on, and generally research the subject. The other group would view the subjects dorm room–taking in the art on the walls, level of cleanliness, etc. Then both groups would be asked to evaluate the subject based on the same criteria found the test the subject initially took. The group that based their judgements on the “superficial” dorm room accoutrements was often more accurate than the group that did exhaustive research. Go figure. I took this example from Blink, Malcolm Gladwell’s new book. For a discussion, see this thread: [Blink](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=303490) ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/23 "2005-02-21T18:50:04Z")
Do-not-touch houses. You know, those where there’s knicknacks everywhere? And they’re expensive ones (Lladró, cut crystal, real china) so if you look at one of them closely the owner freaks out like you’re handling her newborn and don’t know about supporting the head. My grandma had stuff from the middle ages that would make those catalog-colectors pee their pants, but she never said “aaaaah, don’t touch the XIth century bureau!” At least people whose houses are full of souvenirs from Potatoville made with shells are happy to explain you on exactly what vacation they got that particular ugly thing, which is not my favorite conversation but it makes you feel welcome. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/24 "2005-02-21T20:01:22Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > A lot of good answers here (especially **Queen Tonya’s** ). Please allow me to add: country kitsch! I fear people who collect apron-wearing ducks and cows and wreaths of dried flowers. I see that, and I know we have nothing further to say to one another. You’re forgetting the chef hat-wearing pigs and the bonnet-wearing chickens. For my criteria… - People who tell my mother to “get over” the death of our dog. Also, people who say things like “It’s just a dog.” - People who think it’s ridiculous that I like driving my parents’ 1964 Ford Galaxie 500. (It’s worth noting that the Ford is in better condition than the car belonging to the last person who made such a remark.) - People who express shock that I’m not married and having babies yet. Bet they wouldn’t be saying that if I were a male. - People who make disparaging remarks about my Jeep, whether it’s demanding an in-depth explanation of why I need such a vehicle or telling me that the (unmodified) engine is too loud. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/25 "2005-02-21T20:22:49Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > How about original _commissioned_ art? I assume that now you want to marry me. If you can cook, yer in. > > My lovely SO never comments at all, which, in part is why he’s my SO. I don’t believe **alice** means **“yer in like Flynn”**. She simply means you can come over and cook for her and the SO. 😛 For anyone really interested in this idea of “snap judgment”, I recommend the new book [**Blink**](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316172324/102-8310263-4237705) > [@](#): > > Blink is about the first two seconds of looking–the decisive glance that knows in an instant. Gladwell, the best-selling author of The Tipping Point, campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of “thin slices” of behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/26 "2005-02-21T20:42:10Z")
Grown women who are really into Winnie the Pooh and/or Tigger. ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/27 "2005-02-21T20:47:11Z")
People who don’t speak properly, i.e. using double negatives and other improper grammar. No, I don’t mean minor, common errors like split infinitives; I’m talking about things such as: “I done got me some at the store,” or, “He ain’t got no reason to do that.” I just can’t get past it. It screams “uneducated” and “ignorant” to me and makes it very difficult for me NOT to prejudge everything that comes out of their mouths. They could be Yale educated for all I know, though in my experience that’s been a rarity. ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/28 "2005-02-21T20:47:45Z")
First, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Galaxie. Snap judgements? I think I need categorization: Speech: [ul] [li]Double negatives[/li][li]Syntax[/li][li]Incorrect words (wrong meanings, odd contractions, etc.)[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]The “Your/You’re” -thing[/li][li]Spelling[/li][/ul] And the main indoor-issue I have is with the creepy crucifixes. I’m not religious, and I have no problem with someone professing their faith via drywall idolotry, but there’s a strange type of crucifix out there. I went over to a girl’s apartment once, and while she was getting ready to leave, I looked around the place (visually, not medicine-cabinet type investigation…too intrusive), and I was struck figuratively) by her crucifix. What got me first was that it was painted. then, when I looked closer, I noticed that the artist had gone to extraordinary lengths to compose a look of incredible torture on the face. Even the arms showed strained ligaments, muscles, etc. the back was arched in…you got it…agony. On top of all this, the whole thing was painted in loving detail. We had the flesh tones, some dirt-color around the feet, the hair was brown, and there was a profusion of a scarlet red color for the blood of the hand/feet impaling. I have never seen a more disurbing wall-ornament. The date? In retrospect, I should have ran screaming once I saw “Scarlet Jeebus”. ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/29 "2005-02-21T20:52:08Z")
Shoudl have hit “preview”. I should have shown my second category if I was going to be so picky…shoulda been “written”. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/30 "2005-02-21T20:55:52Z")
> [@elfbabe](#): > > Fingernails and shoes on women. So are you for or against fingernails and shoes on women? ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/31 "2005-02-21T21:02:00Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > A lot of good answers here (especially **Queen Tonya’s** ). Please allow me to add: country kitsch! I fear people who collect apron-wearing ducks and cows and wreaths of dried flowers. I see that, and I know we have nothing further to say to one another. I second that. Add statues of the Virgin Mary with rosary beads strewn over them and I will run screaming from the house. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/32 "2005-02-21T21:16:36Z")
> [@Jeep's Phoenix](#): > > You’re forgetting the chef hat-wearing pigs and the bonnet-wearing chickens. Og knows I’ve tried. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/33 "2005-02-21T23:53:14Z")
:: sigh :: I just _know_ I’d be better off keeping my mouth shut, but you asked, so: - Men over 55 who go to tanning beds and drive red, two-seater sports cars - Women who wear more than one animal print at the same time - People who say “I don’t like to read” - People who wear/display “WWJD” stuff - People who keep up with and are concerned about the characters on a soap opera - NASCAR fanatics (not guys who like to watch a race or think the cars are cool, I’m talking about the _fanatics_) - People who talk unnecessarily during a movie, play, or performance - People who are ultra-funde **mental** in any faith or creed or political party - Women who won’t help because they might/or get upset when they do “break a nail” - Men who call me “Little Lady” - And my biggest snap judgment criteria: Parents who are wearing lots of jewelry, designer clothes, sporting an expensive beauty shop hairdo and manicure, and driving an expensive, late model car who request I turn their child’s name into the counselor for free school supplies and uniforms :: deep cleansing breath :: ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/34 "2005-02-22T00:06:07Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > So are you for or against fingernails and shoes on women? Oh hush. I have an aversion to women who wear very dressy shoes on casual occasions, or those who wear shoes with extremely pointed toes at any time. I’m also a bit iffy about women whose fingernails, artificial or real, are long enough to make it difficult to do certain things with their hands. (typing, for example) To me, that says that they value fashion and appearance more than comfort, health, or capability. ---
**Author:** ![conurepete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@conurepete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conurepete)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/35 "2005-02-22T00:45:27Z")
Smell. Smelling too strongly of perfume, or smelling wrong for the setting, for instance: smelling like beer in the PT clinic. Body odor is alienating -especially that funk that takes more than a few days to develop. Smell like a goat in the mall, and I will sneak away as quickly as possible. But if people smell good, I find myself inclined to be pleasant and helpful. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/36 "2005-02-22T01:41:02Z")
> [@fessie](#): > > How can you have nothing on your walls? Put something on your wall already! How can you live that way? What do you look at? You just sit there staring at blank walls all day? How can you do that? Do you sit there all day staring at the stuff on your walls? 😕 Seriously putting stuff on my wall would require a) effort b) money c) time and I don’t like expending any of those let alone all at the same time. Espicially when the only benefit I would get would be to distract me causing me to walk into said wall (Unfortunately I am not kidding). > [@Cemetary Savior](#): > > Shoudl have hit “preview”. > > I should have shown my second category if I was going to be so picky…shoulda been “written”. For someone who makes snap judgements about spelling you don’t spell very good. My main snap judgement is when I see people dressed, acting or speaking ‘ghetto’. Wearing a T-shirt that goes down to your knees, your pants down on your thights and you ball cap askew makes you look like an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/37 "2005-02-22T02:39:45Z")
When I get that feeling that a joke I just sent out fell dead on impact. When I say something funny and I get a blank dead stare. Worse yet, when I get _fake_ laughter. That’s my list. ---
**Author:** ![SusanStoHelit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@SusanStoHelit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SusanStoHelit)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/38 "2005-02-22T03:20:59Z")
People who use “anyways” as though it is an actual word. People with WWF or WWE shirts on Women who have bleached their hair until it is _lighter_ than their (usually tanned) skin tone. Or exactly the same color. They are also usually wearing velour track suits. ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/39 "2005-02-22T03:30:21Z")
People who wear patchouli. I can’t get within 10 feet of them. I’d rather smell cat piss. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125/40 "2005-02-22T03:59:04Z")
As an initial judgement I generally assume that anyone who smokes must be pretty stupid, given all the harm it’s known to cause to one’s health. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-superficial-snap-judgement-criteria/291125.md?page=3)