# What unshakable prejudices do you have?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [July 6, 2006, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351 "2006-07-06T12:25:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/61 "2006-07-06T18:08:03Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#):
>
> Many of the introverts I come in contact with IRL are very judgmental of extraverts. They stereotype extraverts as stupid, annoying, shallow, boring, and needy.
I’ll second that.
I would expand it to include anyone who acts like being outgoing, popular, rich, good looking, successful or ambitious is some kind of character flaw or being poor, socially awkward or mediocre is some kind of virtue. It’s not the worlds fault if you don’t fit in with it.
> [@D\_Odds Quote](#):
>
> So…what kind of vehicle do you drive?
Usually I am driven to work every morning by an NJ Transit employee.
Seeing as how I would have no problem buying a Porsche if I could afford one, I can’t really slight anyone for driving an ostentatious car. My practical nature however forbids me from approving of any kind of Humvee in the city though.
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### Author:  [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/62 "2006-07-06T18:12:19Z")
When I worked for a political party people would call us up and ask for our policy on abortion and same-sex marriage.
The only possible reason they would ask such a question is because they are looking for the party that opposes both, and that is the primary thing which would drive their vote.
I have a completely unshakable prejudice against those people: they are not only morons (for not knowing Canada’s political environment sufficiently to be able to figure out the answer themselves) but also hateful assholes (for making the restrictions on the rights of me and my friends the PRIMARY driver behind their political decision-making).
Also, stupid/asshole cyclists. I am a smart and considerate cyclist, and I expect better from my peers.
Also, religious fundamentalists of any stripe.
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### Author:  [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/63 "2006-07-06T18:14:58Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#):
>
> First of all, it’s spelled “extr **o** vert”.
extravert-someone who gets energized being around people
extrovert-outgoing and gregarious
Mosts extroverts are extraverts, and vice versa.
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### Author:  [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/64 "2006-07-06T18:20:57Z")
> [@msmith537](#):
>
> I’ll second that.
>
> I would expand it to include anyone who acts like being outgoing, popular, rich, good looking, successful or ambitious is some kind of character flaw or being poor, socially awkward or mediocre is some kind of virtue. It’s not the worlds fault if you don’t fit in with it.
I find the opposite to be a problem. People that think that NOT caring about being outgoing,popular,rich etc etc is a character flaw.
My prejudice is against straight guys. Yes, I realize that means I have issues with about 45% of the population, but oh well.
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### Author:  [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/65 "2006-07-06T18:25:03Z")
Lower back tattoos, especially when coupled with pants that ride low enough and shirts that ride high enough to allow them to be seen by the general public.
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### Author:  [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/66 "2006-07-06T18:46:48Z")
As soon as someone demonstrates to me that they’re adherents of One True Faith, they’ve lost my respect. I’m all for people believing in whatever they want: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, whatever – but they should recognize that theirs isn’t the only religion out there.
It’s an extreme example, but the event that really brought this to light for me was the Heaven’s Gate mass suicide in March 1997. I remember hearing a lot of Christians saying that Marshall Applewhite and his followers were silly for believing that, after killing themselves, their souls could board a spaceship hiding behind Comet Hale-Bopp. A few days later, these same Christians went into churches and celebrated the life, death, and resurrection of a man who, in life, walked on water, fed thousands of people with a few fish and loaves of bread, and raised another man from the dead.
Do all people who call themselves Christians really, truly believe that Jesus Christ did all of these things? What proof is there that those things took place (and don’t give me “the Bible tells me so” argument)? Is there any more proof than the Heaven’s Gate cult had about a spaceship hanging out behind a comet? Which is sillier: believing in a spaceship behind a comet, or believing that a man fed 5,000 people with a few fish and loaves of bread? (I’m not saying either one is silly: I’m saying neither is sillier than the other.)
I know: it’s all based on faith, and I’m fine with that – just don’t degrade other people if, using their faiths, they believe differently than you. Think about all of the conflicts, big and small, throughout history that have been fought because of differences in faith. It’s sad.
(and on preview, what \*\*cowgirl \*\* said about religious fundamentalists of any type)
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### Author:  [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/67 "2006-07-06T18:59:45Z")
> [@msmith537](#):
>
> I would expand it to include anyone who acts like being outgoing, popular, rich, good looking, successful or ambitious is some kind of character flaw or being poor, socially awkward or mediocre is some kind of virtue. It’s not the worlds fault if you don’t fit in with it.
I don’t know of anyone who thinks those things are character flaws. I do know people who think that desiring or being those things and being a jerk or a braggart about them is a character flaw. If you’re getting flack for your devilish good looks or your six-figure income, maybe it’s not those things themselves but your attitude about them.
I know this might raise some hackles here, but when I hear that someone is way seriously into medieval times or Renaissance Fairs, I inwardly roll my eyes. Though I have no interest at all in the Dark Ages, I’m cool with people who do. But that’s not good enough for most of them. They’re compelled to talk my ear off about swords and fighting stances and what King Richard had for dinner in 1347 and blah blah blah. They’re totally socially awkward, and not in an endearing way like me. I try not to torture other people with my obsessions, because if something’s not interesting to someone then it’s just not, but most of the SCA people never learned this.
See also, Joss Whedon fans. See also, LotR heads. Thank god I have an interesting internal monologue that can drown any nerd-not-like-me out.
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### Author:  [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/68 "2006-07-06T19:18:08Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#):
>
> extravert-someone who gets energized being around people
> extrovert-outgoing and gregarious
>
> Mosts extroverts are extraverts, and vice versa.
Gotta cite for that distinction? All I can find on Google is a few sources claiming that both spellings are correct. (Hits for “extrovert”: 2,070,000. Hits for “extravert”: 226,000.)
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/69 "2006-07-06T19:30:20Z")
You can add for my list:
People who don’t read. I can’t help it, I’m always :dubious:.
People who are proud of not reading. As Dung Beetle says, I don’t care if they die.
People who look down out loud upon your choice of literature.
Fundamentalists,
Religious people who try to run MY life by THEIR religious doctrines.
People who own firearms AND loudly proclaim they’re going to shoot “anyone who even so much as looks at them the wrong way”. Yes, that’s a direct quote.
People spitting in public. I had a Pit thread on this. I realize many people disagree. I don’t care, it’s still gross to me.
People who own guns and refuse to teach their children gun safety.
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### Author:  [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/70 "2006-07-06T19:34:17Z")
Here’s one I probably shouldn’t admit - pretty clearly demonstrates my lack of sensitivity for folks who think/believe differently than me. And, since I am posting it, I should probably be more careful with my phrasing than I expect I will be. But here goes.
I always think that people who dress in extreme manners consistent with their religion look kinda silly.
I’m not sympathetic to religious belief in any event, but understand that w huge percentage of folks believe in one thing or another. But when folks take their belief to the step where it dictates their everyday attire in an extremem manner, or significantly dictates the way they live, I think they are silly.
Yarmulkes are a little bit silly, the full beard, hat, dark suit and ringlets is pretty damn close to a costume. Same goes for Sikhs, Amish - you name it.
I don’t think they are “bad people” or anything, just that they are a little silly for whatever reason they have decided to allow themselves to be dictated by an irrational belief system.
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### Author:  [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/71 "2006-07-06T19:39:08Z")
> [@Podkayne](#):
>
> Gotta cite for that distinction? All I can find on Google is a few sources claiming that both spellings are correct. (Hits for “extrovert”: 2,070,000. Hits for “extravert”: 226,000.)
I looked it up at Merriam-Webster, and “extravert” redirected to “extrovert” but said that “extravert” was an alternate spelling. It did not make the distinction that **Diamonds02** did.
Robin
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### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/72 "2006-07-06T19:48:09Z")
> [@davenportavenger](#):
>
> > [@msmith357](#):
> >
> > I would expand it to include anyone who acts like being outgoing, popular, rich, good looking, successful or ambitious is some kind of character flaw or being poor, socially awkward or mediocre is some kind of virtue. It’s not the worlds fault if you don’t fit in with it.
>
> I don’t know of anyone who thinks those things are character flaws.
From post #14 in this thread:
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#):
>
> _Anybody_ who is wealthy and/or politically powerful is my enemy, and means me **no** good.
>
> _Anybody_ and _everybody_!
> No exceptions.
>
> As my Great-Grandfather used to say, “The Landlord is never your friend”.
I don’t think that **Bosda** ’s attitude is really all that uncommon.
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/73 "2006-07-06T19:51:03Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> Here’s one I probably shouldn’t admit - pretty clearly demonstrates my lack of sensitivity for folks who think/believe differently than me. And, since I am posting it, I should probably be more careful with my phrasing than I expect I will be. But here goes.
> I always think that people who dress in extreme manners consistent with their religion look kinda silly.
> I’m not sympathetic to religious belief in any event, but understand that w huge percentage of folks believe in one thing or another. But when folks take their belief to the step where it dictates their everyday attire in an extremem manner, or significantly dictates the way they live, I think they are silly.
> Yarmulkes are a little bit silly, the full beard, hat, dark suit and ringlets is pretty damn close to a costume. Same goes for Sikhs, Amish - you name it.
> I don’t think they are “bad people” or anything, just that they are a little silly for whatever reason they have decided to allow themselves to be dictated by an irrational belief system.
I am particularly wary of this when it comes to children. It troubles me when young Arabic girls “choose” to wear daily headscarfs. Technically both sexes are supposed to cover their heads and yet only the females do in practice. It bothers me because I feel the girl is automatically being relegated to second class, and what’s worse is, she’s doing it to herself because she’s been taught it’s the correct thing to do.
Again, this is a thread on prejudices, but - how can I put this delicately? - I really can’t, can I. Let’s just say I’ve seen, personally, that that sort of thinking often leads down a painful and unhappy path.
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### Author:  [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/74 "2006-07-06T19:51:14Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#):
>
> People who _brag_ about not reading books: It’s okay with me if they die.
They don’t need to _die_, necessarily. They just need to be locked in a room with a very large book whose cover reads “You have a fatal disease and the cure is somewhere in here.”
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### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/75 "2006-07-06T19:58:22Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#):
>
> Many of the introverts I come in contact with IRL are very judgmental of extraverts. They stereotype extraverts as stupid, annoying, shallow, boring, and needy.
>
> The other reason, even if they are nice, I’m just not compatible with introverts. I’m a hardcore extravert, and my life revolves around meeting people, socializing, and people watching. Especially people watching. I don’t understand people who have no interest in others.
I like people watching (well, people ogling if they are of the fairer sex, or people pointing-and-laughing). I just don’t like actually having to talk and/or deal with them.
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### Author:  [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/76 "2006-07-06T20:09:27Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#):
>
> Me too. Hey, let me tell you a fun story:
>
> The owners of the company I work for (husband, wife, and daughter) all commute to work. Daddy drives a Lamborghini with a V12, Mummy drives a Hummer, and sweetums drives an Escalade. They leave from the same house at the same time, do their ritual motorcade of ostentatious waste, arrive at their destination at the same time, and then…
>
> …park in the only three designated handicapped spots, until they do the whole thing in reverse at the end of the day.
>
> Ouff!
Urge to kil…rising.
For me…
[Diane Simmons]I just plain don’t like black people, Tom.[/DS]
Nah. Members of the NRA. Seriously. I know, I know, there are plenty of NRA members who are, I am sure, responsible gun owners who just enjoy hunting or recreational shooting I am sure, but in my (limited) experience, they’re all patronising assholes with a persecution complex. Also, every one I’ve met (limited to interactions with various spokespeople and randoms in bars etc.) has been a white male in his mid-late 40s in bad shape. Please commence the ritual flaming.
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### Author:  [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/77 "2006-07-06T20:11:08Z")
I have errr, views on people who hold to young earth creationism and Biblical Fundamentalism. I won’t state them here, I’ve come under a lot of fire for them.
I hate fundamentalists of any religion, including the one I practice.
Agree with Dinsdale and Anaamika about religious clothing. I can see the deal for an official ceremony but for every frocking day? To each his own but I’ll echo Dinsdale in saying that I find it silly to have so much of your daily life dictated by religious ritualism.
I automatically sneer at anyone who believes in the modern day Sai Baba.
Also have no use for Indians who still hold to caste/North v. South Indian blahblahblah.
Am a pretty much useless Indian all in all. No wonder I remain such a black sheep.
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### Author:  [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/78 "2006-07-06T20:11:59Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> A qualifier to this, please. Any **civilian** who **buys** a Hummer is an asshole. That PFC driving one in Iraq right now may or may not be an asshole, but it wasn’t his choice.
That PFC is not driving the same thing. A Hummer is a civilian wanna-be vehicle. As noted, they are for people who are penis-size challenged.
Mine is in-yer-face anti-green stuff. Huge SUV’s driven by people dressed as suburban as can be. Littering. Driving between stores at a mall or shopping center. Throwing cigarette butts on the ground.
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/79 "2006-07-06T20:14:32Z")
> [@anu-la1979](#):
>
> I automatically sneer at anyone who believes in the modern day Sai Baba.
Sneer at my aunts. They worship him. I don’t say anything, but it makes me really edgy when they talk about him. Luckily, they don’t talk about him much.
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### Author:  [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/80 "2006-07-06T20:18:18Z")
> [@davenportavenger](#):
>
> I don’t know of anyone who thinks those things are character flaws. I do know people who think that desiring or being those things and being a jerk or a braggart about them is a character flaw. If you’re getting flack for your devilish good looks or your six-figure income, maybe it’s not those things themselves but your attitude about them.
Do you know these people?
> [@teela brown](#):
>
> I’m ashamed to say that I think that if a man is really handsome, it follows that he’s automatically an asshole.
> [@twickster](#):
>
> Anyone who drives a Hummer is an asshole
> [@DianaG](#):
>
> Anyone who drives a Hummer is, by definition, an asshole. With a tiny, tiny penis.
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#):
>
> Anybody who is wealthy and/or politically powerful is my enemy, and means me no good.
> [@Mouse\_Maven](#):
>
> I have a very hard time with young (as in late teens, early twenties) “beautiful” men and women.
People often project their insecurities on other people. For many people, simply being rich or beautiful by definition makes that person a jerk.
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