# When Mr. Feeny tells you "I don't want to talk to you" don't believe him **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 28, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093 "2012-03-28T23:41:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/41 "2012-03-29T07:28:39Z")
> [@Lord\_Mondegreen](#): > > What went wrong was that you forced him into the uncomfortable position of having to say that he wasn’t in the mood to talk, _and then didn’t respect his right not to engage with you._ No, I forced him into the uncomfortable position of wanting to talk to me _after_ saying “I don’t want to talk to you” _when I said_, “You don’t want to talk to me. I want to talk to you.” and then being unable to say “I don’t want you to talk to me.” _Realizing this_, he says, “You are brazen.” to which I reply “Brazen?” and then, sarcastically brazen, I ask, “Didn’t you say you don’t want to talk to me?” Awkward. I did it for you, all of my fellow Dopers! 😃 ( **Oakminster** , was that _you_?) ---
**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:** [March 29, 2012, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/42 "2012-03-29T11:34:48Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > No, I forced him into the uncomfortable position of wanting to talk to me _after_ saying “I don’t want to talk to you” What would motivate a person to force another person into an “uncomfortable position” just for shits and giggles? That’s a creepy thing to do. > [@](#): > > I did it for you, all of my fellow Dopers! 😃 Don’t act like an ass in my name, please. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/43 "2012-03-29T11:36:38Z")
You must be a fun guy to sit next to on an airplane. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/44 "2012-03-29T11:49:33Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > You know how you go years without particularly noticing another poster and then they suddenly post something that makes you go, “Welp, there’s another one for the crazy list”? After reading this entire thread, I’m opting for this response too. Anyone who thinks in terms of “winning” a polite conversation should not be allowed to speak to strangers without adult supervision. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/45 "2012-03-29T11:51:02Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > You are going to sit there anyway so you might as well talk. You’ve posted these words at least twice. I’m guessing that means that you think it’s persuasive, maybe even conclusive. It’s not. It’s your opinion, and it’s obviously not universal. When I’m in a waiting-room situation, I’m usually not interested in conversation. If someone tells you they don’t want to talk to you, believe them. ---
**Author:** ![wayward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a87d85/32.png) [@wayward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wayward)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/46 "2012-03-29T12:25:36Z")
I’m curious, did you whip out your Merriam Webster right there in the shop? Or was it only after some research later that you realised how clever you’d been with your sarcastically brazen response? ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/47 "2012-03-29T12:25:51Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > I studied Game Theory, too. 😃 Ask for a tuition refund. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/48 "2012-03-29T12:35:33Z")
> [@wayward](#): > > I’m curious, did you whip out your Merriam Webster right there in the shop? Is that what kids are calling it these days. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/49 "2012-03-29T12:39:25Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Is that what kids are calling it these days. You can look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/50 "2012-03-29T12:39:43Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > He said, “I don’t want to talk to you.” > _Could have said_, “I don’t want to talk. I just want to get my car repaired.” > Then I would have said, “Ok. I understand. I want to get my car repairs done too, qucickly and cheaply, sir.” > End of conversation. _Why_ would he have to provide an explanation? This thread reminds me of the kids in grade school who couldn’t stand not being the center of attention – if I was reading, they’d say loudly, “Must be INTERESTING.” ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/51 "2012-03-29T12:50:24Z")
Somewhat off topic - what on earth is a “collision shop”? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/52 "2012-03-29T12:52:59Z")
Thats where people with incompatible expectations of proper social behavior go to collide. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/53 "2012-03-29T13:03:37Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > You practically have a PhD in Linguistics, and you had to look up the definition of “brazen”. That was after he saundered over to his dictionary. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/54 "2012-03-29T13:04:40Z")
Truly bizarre exchange. Albert Camus could’ve written a novel based on it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/55 "2012-03-29T13:16:41Z")
Man, if I am waiting somewhere I usually am intent on my Kindle, reading and broadening my horizons. Last thing I want to do is talk to some aggressive and insistent stranger. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/56 "2012-03-29T13:31:07Z")
This is when I usually break into a song and dance number. With trained whelks. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/57 "2012-03-29T13:32:25Z")
My posse of trained whelks. ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/58 "2012-03-29T13:33:28Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Man, if I am waiting somewhere I usually am intent on my Kindle, reading and broadening my horizons. Last thing I want to do is talk to some aggressive and insistent stranger. Yeah, based on the way the rest of the interaction went, it is not hard to imagine that as benignly as he tries to portray his initial inquiries the other guy may have had good reason not to want to talk to him. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/59 "2012-03-29T13:37:38Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > Enter guy wearing sunglasses indoors. Guy wearing sunglasses indoor is standing around, getting a bag of popcorn. Guy wear sunglasses gets involved, confronting me. He says “what are you doing here?” “do you have a car in the shop?”. I don’t really know how to answer him. He says “You need to leave. I’m calling the police.” I’m with **Kozmik** on this one. Sunglass Guy just walks in and threatens to call the police on some random dude sitting in a waiting room, for no apparent reason? That’s just _nuts_. Unless… could it be… maybe there’s a detail or two missing from this part of the story? … Nah. Sunglass Guy was definitely in the wrong. There can be no other explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/60 "2012-03-29T13:42:11Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > My posse of trained whelks. It cracks me up that you felt you had to specify that they were a _posse_ of trained whelks, not just a random loose assortment of trained whelks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093.md?page=4)