# 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:** 5
### Author:  [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/81 "2006-07-06T20:19:01Z")
> [@anu-la1979](#):
>
> 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.
(emphasis mine)
Pun intended? 😃
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/82 "2006-07-06T20:22:57Z")
**Fat people**. I assume a fat person is lazy and/or undisciplined.
**Very good-looking women**. I assume a very good-looking woman is a stuck up bitch.
**People who wear glasses**. I assume a person who wears glasses is studious, honest, and introverted.
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### Author:  [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/83 "2006-07-06T20:30:07Z")
> [@Happy Clam](#):
>
> Nah. Members of the NRA.
Hi, I’m the NRA 🙂 Nice to meet you. I’m not a gun freak. I have never wished I had a gun at a particular moment, I’ve never wanted to shoot anyone. I’ve never been mugged or raped. I do think if the moment ever came where I wish I had a gun, and I didn’t, I wouldn’t be around long enough to regret it much. I also think that if someone is going to put me in a frightening enough situation that I felt I needed a gun, it would be my honor to put the biggest hole in them I could. I live in a world where some people look at me as a victim for no other reason that I am a woman. I have to realize that.
Unshakable prejudices: Obese people. I don’t get it. It’s not that I treat them any differently, but in my heart, I wonder how they could do that to themselves.
Obsessive Folk: Those who collect every hummel, beany baby, pokemon, Harley-Davidson, whatever. I can’t fathom liking anything that much, for that long. Then again, career-wise, that is an admirable trait, I do envy them a bit.
Tell me you don’t read, I get to think you are a moron. This person is usually the one who is proud they are stupid.
Girls named Tammy: I’m sorry, there are some nice, well mannered, educated Tammys out there. I just haven’t met them. (Please let a Tammy come along and tell me how I butchered the apostrophes and commas).
Old People With Perma-Scowl- How miserable your life must be for your face to be stuck in a scowl.
People Who Tell Other People What Is Wrong With Them: You are too happy. You talk to much. You should get a tan. Blah, blah, blah, bite me.
People Who Don’t Understand Service People Are Paid To Be Nice To You (The “Don’t hit on anyone that can’t run away screaming rule”): We may not respond because we want our jobs, it does not signify agreement. It doesn’t mean you are right. It doesn’t mean squat.
World Peace Begins With Merging: Let someone in, spread some joy. Don’t block intersections, or I get to think you are a twit.
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### Author:  [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/84 "2006-07-06T20:32:59Z")
> [@msmith537](#):
>
> People often project their insecurities on other people. For many people, simply being rich or beautiful by definition makes that person a jerk.
Or, people who drive Hummers are underendowed assholes. I have nothing against the beautiful or the rich. I have, at times in my life, fallen into each or both categories. I deal with beautiful and/or rich people every day. Most of them are plain delightful. A couple of them are assholes. Guess which one drives the Hummer.
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### Author:  [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/85 "2006-07-06T20:33:23Z")
I have one really unshakable prejudice, and I’m actually quite ashamed of it.
I’m prejudiced against women who don’t have custody of their children. I know it’s not right – I have _known_ women who gave up custody of their kids for good and selfless reasons. And I know it’s sexist that I don’t have a similar prejudice about non-custodial fathers. But I can’t help it – when I meet a woman who doesn’t have custody of her kids, my default opinion of her goes down. And I have to know way more than is my business about her circumstances before it goes back up again.
I have also discovered a new prejudice within myself just in the last 10 minutes. I’m prejudiced against the people who own the company that **Larry Mudd** works for – and I don’t even know them!
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### Author:  [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/86 "2006-07-06T20:33:23Z")
> [@msmith537](#):
>
> Do you know these people?
Not personally. But I don’t think the Hummer complaints really fit. To drive a Hummer shows a blatant disregard for the environment, and that’s what’s contemptible, not the fact that it costs a lot of money. (To me anyway.) I would not rag on someone for buying an expensive fuel efficient car.
And I thought Bosda’s post was a joke.
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### Author:  [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/87 "2006-07-06T21:12:30Z")
My prejudices:
Obese people whose lifestyle indicates they’re proud of themselves for being in that state, and contributing to it by, say, scarfing down 3 or 4 Big Macs. Come on, have a little self respect.
Anyone who doesn’t make sure they’re providing for their kids before their own selfish indulgences. Take the guys in the oversized (brand name) t-shirt down to their knees, with (brand name) jeans with the crotch below their knees and about 6 feet of denim piled up atop their brand new Timberland boots, wearing half a dozen gold chains and the backward baseball cap with original airbrushing; how much did that getup set you back- did you make sure you’ll be able to feed your kids for the next few months before you sprung for the monthly lease on the BMW 7-series?
If I see another jackass hurtling down the highway in a bucket of bolts while their three kids cavort untethered in the backseat, well, I don’t know what I’ll do. But it won’t be pleasant.
Oh- I agree with those that are prejudiced against those who are proud of their stupidity, but not all non-readers fall into that group. I’d love to read for pleasure, if I didn’t have a 10 hour/day job, 90 minute/day commute, a couple hours/day to play with my kids and eat dinner, laundry, bills, home repair, time to talk to my wife, sleep…
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### Author:  [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/88 "2006-07-06T21:18:39Z")
> [@Auntbeast](#):
>
> Girls named Tammy: I’m sorry, there are some nice, well mannered, educated Tammys out there. I just haven’t met them. (Please let a Tammy come along and tell me how I butchered the apostrophes and commas).
Hey! _I’m_ named Tammy! And I’m very nice and very well mannered – too nice and well mannered, in fact, to give you a hard time about puncuation, even if I were well educated enough to recognise any errors you made. Anyway, it’s not my fault. _I_ didn’t name myself! Maybe you should adjust your prejudice to be against people who name their innocent children Tammy.
For instance, I am somewhat prejudiced against people who name their children Tiffany or Brandy. What? Do they _want_ their girls to grow up and become strippers or prostitutes?
Hmmm. That last sentence made it sound as if I am prejudiced against strippers and prostitutes. I’m not, really. It’s just that thinking about one’s prejudices tend to snowball, don’t it?
That last sentence was specifically intended to appeal to those who are prejudiced against ungrammatical people who pretentiously refer to themselves as ‘one.’
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/89 "2006-07-06T21:20:46Z")
> [@](#):
>
> extravert-someone who gets energized being around people
Are you sure? I thought an extravert was somebody like Kermit or the Hulk.
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### Author:  [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/90 "2006-07-06T21:22:54Z")
**Bad spellers.** Typos are OK, deliberate creative misspelling has its place, I embrace national & regional variations, and I know each of us has his or her particular “trouble” words. But I have no respect for those who demonstrate lazy, wanton disregard for proper spelling. For them what weren’t taught too good comin’ up, dictionaries are readily available.
I could not become (or remain) friends with anyone active in one of those **“leadership training,” self-empowerment pseudoreligions based on EST** - Landmark Forum, Lifespring and the like. For exactly the same reasons, I cannot imagine having a friend who considered him- or herself a practicing **Scientologist**. I understand that most people are bilked into these groups against their better judgment, and it is just such predjudice that keeps them from extracting themselves, but I just can’t help it. If you drink the Kool-Aid, I want nothing to do with you.
That said, if you eventually spit out the Kool-Aid and throw the crumpled Dixie cup back at the $2000 ‘unlearn your fear’ advanced training seminar from whence it came, I’ll be the first to buy you a beer to celebrate.
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### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/91 "2006-07-06T21:32:44Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#):
>
> Are you sure? I thought an extravert was somebody like Kermit or the Hulk.
Your punning privileges have just been revoked for a period of not less than three days, nor to exceed one week. You will be notified, via carrier pigeon, when you are permitted to pun again.
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### Author:  [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/92 "2006-07-06T21:36:12Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#):
>
> I don’t understand people who have no interest in others.
Short hijack: I think you misunderstand introvertism here. Even at my most introvertish, I’m _intensely_ interested in others. Thing is, I just get easily overwhelmed.
/end hijack.
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### Author:  [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/93 "2006-07-06T21:43:30Z")
Anyone that has some form of an “I’m a princess” bumper sticker or license plate frame on her car. :rolleyes:
There is nothing cute or funny about these statements, and the fact that you feel a need to declare this to EVERYONE who crosses your path while driving tells me that you have absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
See that froth coming from my mouth? That’s pure hatred, baby.
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### Author:  [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/94 "2006-07-06T21:44:04Z")
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> People who look down out loud upon your choice of literature.
What about people who mix their metaphors 😉
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/95 "2006-07-06T21:48:58Z")
A few more:
**People who believe in “government cover-up” conspiracy theories**. They think the WTC was brought down by explosives, they believe a missile shot down flight 800, and they believe the government orchestrated the Oklahoma City bombing. Many (all?) of these people are fans of Alex Jones. They are all idiots.
**Very religious people**. I have found that, the more religious a person is, the more rude, snobbish, and cheap they are.
**Religious people who believe in stupid things**. Like the earth is only 10,000 years old. Or Carbon-14 dating does not work. They are all idiots.
**People who have rotten teeth, or many missing teeth**. I assume they’re lazy and irresponsible.
**People who do not wear seatbelts, and anyone who rides a motorcycle without a helmet**. I assume they’re idiots and/or selfish jerks.
**Men who wear jewelry (other than their wedding ring)**. This includes fancy watches, gold/diamond rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. Can’t stand 'em.
**Men who do not like to shoot guns**. They’re wimps.
**People with tattoos**. They’re so mainstream that it’s getting to the point where a person who does \*not \* have a tattoo is being rebellious.
**People who do not understand they difference between you’re & your, there, their, & they’re, etc.** Didn’t they pay attention in school?
**Men who don’t know how to do very basic auto mechanics (e.g. changing the oil).**
**People who “never have any money” to do anything**. Yet they \*always \* have money for cable TV, high speed internet, cigarettes, beer, etc.
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### Author:  [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/96 "2006-07-06T21:50:56Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> **People who wear glasses**. I assume a person who wears glasses is studious, honest, and introverted.
Hrm. _I_ wear glasses, and am only two of those three. I believe your assumption to be in error.
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### Author:  [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/97 "2006-07-06T21:52:24Z")
> [@Auntbeast](#):
>
> Hi, I’m the NRA 🙂 Nice to meet you. I’m not a gun freak. I have never wished I had a gun at a particular moment, I’ve never wanted to shoot anyone. I’ve never been mugged or raped. I do think if the moment ever came where I wish I had a gun, and I didn’t, I wouldn’t be around long enough to regret it much. I also think that if someone is going to put me in a frightening enough situation that I felt I needed a gun, it would be my honor to put the biggest hole in them I could. I live in a world where some people look at me as a victim for no other reason that I am a woman. I have to realize that.
> .
Well, now you’ve made me look like an intolerant asshole. 😉 I must say, you seem like a radical departure from those NRA members I have actually met (not least some of their spokespeople), who justified ever stereotype about gun-nuts in existence. However, I realise my prejudice is _irrational_.
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### Author:  [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/98 "2006-07-06T21:56:33Z")
> [@Anne Neville](#):
>
> Morning people (I think they’re not as smart as night people \
Aww…we could have been friends! Friends, I tell you!!! 😉
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/99 "2006-07-06T22:00:30Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Well, now you’ve made me look like an intolerant asshole. I must say, you seem like a radical departure from those NRA members I have actually met (not least some of their spokespeople), who justified ever stereotype about gun-nuts in existence. However, I realise my prejudice is irrational.
I’m an NRA member and a lifetime member of the Gun Owners of America.
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### Author:  [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unshakable-prejudices-do-you-have/363351/100 "2006-07-06T22:04:46Z")
> [@tashabot](#):
>
> I’m automatically prejudiced against anyone who introduces themselves, within ten minutes of meeting me, as “Wiccan.” I used to be Wiccan. I’d hazard that a good half of the people who say they are aren’t, much like half of the people who say they’re Christian really aren’t.
I feel the same way. I dabbled just a tad bit in neopaganism (turned out it wasn’t for me; I never really commited myself to it), and I found that a large portion of self-proclaimed Wiccans are really non-believers suffering from a persecution complex and an identity crisis, much like a large portion of Christians.
> [@MsRobyn](#):
>
> First of all, it’s spelled “extrovert”.
[Actually…](http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?sourceid=Mozilla-search&va=extravert)
> [@Merriam-Webster](#):
>
> Main Entry: ex·tro·vert
> Variant(s): **also ex·tra·vert** /'ek-str&-"v&rt/
> Function: noun
> Etymology: modification of German **extravertiert** , from Latin **extra- + vertere**
> : one whose personality is characterized by extroversion; broadly : a gregarious and unreserved person
>
> - extrovert **also extravert** adjective
> - ex·tro·vert·ed also **ex·tra·vert·ed** /-"v&r-t&d, "ek-str&-'v&r-/ adjective
Bolding mine. You could more logically argue that “extrovert” is the wrong spelling, but you’d be wrong there too.
(Looks like you looked it up too; just wanted to make sure you see that it’s not included merely in the name of descriptivism.)
> [@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 agree with you often, but as an introvert I have to agree with you here.
It’s worth noting, BTW, that most people weave in and out from introversion to extraversion and back again several times in their life. I do, anyway–I was very introverted up until 8th grade, gradually became more extraverted until I started college, and have been gradually slipping back into introversion again. I still love to hang out with friends, though, and I’m comfortable in most social situations.
> [@cowgirl](#):
>
> The only possible reason they would ask such a question is because they are looking for the party that opposes both
Is it possible that they’re looking for the party that _supports_ both? If I were new to Canada I think I might call around and ask that of political parties to find out how they stand on abortion and same-sex marriage; if they feel (like me) that anyone should be free to do either of those at any time, they’ll probably agree with me on a lot of other things, too. I assume Canada, like most parliamentary countries; has many different political parties whose differences are much more nuanced than ours; I think it might be easier and faster to start out with a list of all of them and cross out the ones that disagree with you on the more contentious issues–as the difference is usually more distinct–and _then_ start learning about the rest of their platform, rather than the other way around.
> [@davenportavenger](#):
>
> 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.
Why do you feel that “most of them” are like this, and not the loud minority? I think every self-selective group has people like this, but unless you’ve attended SCA or similar functions (I haven’t, BTW), why do you think “most of them” want to talk peoples’ ears off about the stuff? I used to know a lot of SCA people in Arizona and went to their parties and such–places where I was surrounded by 40-some Ren Faire types–and not one of them was like that with me. I’m sure they’re out there, but of all the Dark Ages folks I’ve met (surprisingly many, now that I think about it) I haven’t seen one.
Could be a geographical anomaly, but alls I’m sayin’ is that “most” is a mighty word. That’s how unshakeable prejudices get started, ya know. 😉
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> 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.
I feel the same way, and let me note that as a former observant Jew I feel the same way about their get-up as well.
> [@Auntbeast](#):
>
> Unshakable prejudices: Obese people. I don’t get it. It’s not that I treat them any differently, but in my heart, I wonder how they could do that to themselves.
Me too. I feel sorry for them more than anything, and I really hope they find a way to switch to a healthier path (like I feel about smokers, especially ones who hack up their lungs regularly in class etc.) Unlike smoking, though, I just can’t understand how/why someone would do that to themselves.
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