# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/81 "2012-03-29T15:04:39Z")
Also you’ve got to remember people are much more open today about pretty much everything than they used to be. A friend of mine who is 70 years old remembers in the 60’s when people started saying “Have a nice day” and that took him aback, he thought “What business is it of yours?” Especially on matters of money people can take offense at being questioned. ---
**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, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/82 "2012-03-29T15:08:28Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > What would motivate a person to force another person into an “uncomfortable position” just for shits and giggles? No, just for the awkwardness: > [@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” _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. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/83 "2012-03-29T15:17:22Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > No, just for the awkwardness: And this gave you a little warm glow in the cockles of your heart? Whatever trips your trigger, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/84 "2012-03-29T15:27:55Z")
Question for the OP: In an average week, how often would you say you hear the phrase “Get away from me, freak!” from random strangers? Just wondering… ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/85 "2012-03-29T15:34:43Z")
I have this mental image of Kozmik grinning like a goon as he questions the poor old dude, and then breaking into something Joker-esque when he realizes he is “winning” the conversation. I think the old guy showed a lot of restraint. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/86 "2012-03-29T15:42:14Z")
I’m skeptical that anything like the described scenario actually occurred, but if it did you sound incredibly annoying, significantly less clever than you’re straining to appear, and likely to be the author of a future cutesy post about the time you got your teeth embedded into the back of your skull after badgering the wrong stranger. ---
**Author:** ![liberty3701](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@liberty3701](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liberty3701)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/87 "2012-03-29T15:49:18Z")
Eh, not to hijack, but I’m REALLY curious what “pratically has a Ph.D. in Linguistics” means in this instance. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/88 "2012-03-29T15:52:49Z")
> [@liberty3701](#): > > Eh, not to hijack, but I’m REALLY curious what “pratically has a Ph.D. in Linguistics” means in this instance. He read a book on it, once. Well, actually he only got through the first 12 pages before getting bored. He would have qualified for the PhD if he’d made it to 13. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/89 "2012-03-29T15:56:21Z")
You may find you get a better response from people if you stop trying to wrangle them into an unwanted verbal contest. I’d imagine that your body posture and delivery clearly broadcast your intent to vie for. . .well . . .something (the point actually escapes me). Sunglass guy’s response upon entering the situation would seem to support this theory. Were you leaning forward? Was your body visibly tensed? Was the hat-wearing gentleman leaning away from you? You see, most of us consider conversation to be devoid of competition. The obvious exception being any conversation which remotely refers to the accomplishments of one’s children or grandchildren. the point of conversation in the circumstances you describe would be to pass the time pleasantly; your competitive attitude precludes that possibility. You did not teach him any lessons, nor would it be your prerogative to do so. ---
**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, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/90 "2012-03-29T15:59:13Z")
> [@liberty3701](#): > > Eh, not to hijack, but I’m REALLY curious what “pratically has a Ph.D. in Linguistics” means in this instance. What **BigT** and **Autolycus** [wrote](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14914288&postcount=76). He should have said that so I would not have to say what I should have said. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/91 "2012-03-29T16:03:44Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Truly bizarre exchange. Albert Camus could’ve written a novel based on it. > [@muldoonthief](#): > > Yes, the conversation was Seinfeldian. But you’re George. On a bad day. It feels more like Edward Albee to me. > [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Question for the OP: In an average week, how often would you say you hear the phrase “Get away from me, freak!” from random strangers? Just wondering… Are we starting a pool? I’ll take three and the over. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/92 "2012-03-29T16:05:22Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > 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. I’m guessing the opened newspaper on his lap did not totally conceal what his hand was up to. I’m guessing. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/93 "2012-03-29T16:05:57Z")
[You are brazen.](http://www.taser.com/products/self-defense-products/taser-x26c) Seriously, I would react to somebody behaving like you as being either mentally ill or chemically altered. I am another who believes the whole story to be made up. But let’s play pretend for a moment…I go to the repair shop to pick up my elderly, infirm dad. Some possibly high, possibly crazy jag-off is harassing and upsetting the old man. Said jag-off then mimics me. Goodness gracious, that would be a dangerously unstable situation… ---
**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, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/94 "2012-03-29T16:09:10Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > What **BigT** and **Autolycus** [wrote](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14914288&postcount=76). He should have said that so I would not have to say what I should have said. Or you you could not expect others to live up to your script and leave people alone. ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/95 "2012-03-29T16:16:34Z")
If this happened to me, I would’ve thought you were mentally ill (as others have said) and done my best to avoid any conversation with you. People who go into car shops are usually waiting around and having to shell out a lot of money to repair their car- do you think they’re happy and would just love to engage in a random conversation with some potentially crazy stranger who is sitting in a car shop, eating popcorn for the mere hell of it? ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/96 "2012-03-29T16:47:24Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > What **BigT** and **Autolycus** [wrote](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14914288&postcount=76). He should have said that so I would not have to say what I should have said. So the old guy was supposed to have guessed what your version of his own half of a conversation he didn’t want to have in the first place should have been? Oy gevalt. ---
**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, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/97 "2012-03-29T16:52:10Z")
It’s his own fault for not learning the imaginary script. ---
**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, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/98 "2012-03-29T16:54:28Z")
> [@nikonikosuru](#): > > If this happened to me, I would’ve thought you were mentally ill (as others have said) and done my best to avoid any conversation with you. People who go into car shops are usually waiting around and having to shell out a lot of money to repair their car- do you think they’re happy and would just love to engage in a random conversation with some potentially crazy stranger who is sitting in a car shop, eating popcorn for the mere hell of it? I was only eating popcorn because the guy wearing sunglasses walked over to the popcorn stand in the corner of the waiting room, got a bag of popcorn, and was eating the popcorn. I did not get the bag of popcorn until after \*after \* this [awkward exchange](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14914408&postcount=82). I said, “Well (eats popcorn), since you’re not going to answer me, I just might as well enjoy the show.” > [@Gyrate](#): > > It’s his own fault for not learning the imaginary script. Mine too: Him: “I don’t want to talk to you.” Me: “I don’t want to talk to you either.” End of conversation. (I get the last word.) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/99 "2012-03-29T17:00:33Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > I was only eating popcorn because the guy wearing sunglasses walked over to the popcorn stand in the corner of the waiting room, got a bag of popcorn, and was eating the popcorn. I did not get the bag of popcorn until after \*after \* this [awkward exchange](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14914408&postcount=82). I said, “Well (eats popcorn), since you’re not going to answer me, I just might as well enjoy the show.” > Mine too: > > Him: “I don’t want to talk to you.” > Me: “I don’t want to talk to you either.” > End of conversation. (I get the last word.) > > 😃 How old are you, 12? I hope Mommy and Daddy were smart enough to lock up their car keys after this incident. ---
**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, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/100 "2012-03-29T17:03:11Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It feels more like Edward Albee to me. I’ll see your Edward Albee and raise you a Samuel Beckett. [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=4) [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=6)