# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![PacifistPorcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PacifistPorcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PacifistPorcupine)\ **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/617093/101 "2012-03-29T17:03:31Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > 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.)** What is the relevance of the bolded part? ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/102 "2012-03-29T17:05:38Z")
From post #1: > [@](#): > > So I was in the collision shop, waiting an hour, eating a bag of popcorn. I drove out of the collision shop with an estimate and with a bizzare experience. I was sitting in the waiting area and an elderly man wearing a hat sat down across from me. From post # 98 > [@](#): > > 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 vote for “never happened”. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/103 "2012-03-29T17:15:20Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > He then says, “You are brazen.” “Brazen?” I say. (I looked it up. Contemptuously bold, according to Merriam Webster.) > [@Kozmik](#): > > That elderly man did not know that he was dealing with someone who pratically has a Ph.D. in Linguistics. I’m guessing you haven’t come to the letter B yet. If only he’d called you audacious, arrogant, adventurous, or assertive. mmm ---
**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, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/104 "2012-03-29T17:26:38Z")
Ah. Misunderstood about the popcorn thing. My mistake. But why were you there in the first place? Not the place I’d want to go on my own free time. ---
**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, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/105 "2012-03-29T17:30:17Z")
> [@PacifistPorcupine](#): > > What is the relevance of the bolded part? This: > [@BigT](#): > > You may not want to talk to someone, but you know enough to not say that very statement, right? It is a rather rude thing to say. It doesn’t exactly justify what **Kozmik** did, but I don’t understand people acting like Daniels was blameless. I can’t think of any way to say those words that would not be dismissive and rude. And, while I don’t exactly condone it for something that small (and the way **Kozmik** went about it is bizarre),\*\* it isn’t surprising that someone would feel the need to be rude back\*\*. (Boldness mine.) > [@](#): > > 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 wanted to be rude back. ---
**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, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/106 "2012-03-29T17:32:58Z")
The conversation should have went: “I don’t want to talk to you.” “Don’t talk to me!” End of conversation. ---
**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, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/107 "2012-03-29T17:42:13Z")
Or the converation could have went: “I don’t want to talk to you.” “I don’t want _you_ to talk to me.” End of conversation. ---
**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, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/108 "2012-03-29T17:44:21Z")
Neither of those offers the grace and sophistication of “I’m having the last word! Nyah-nyah!” ---
**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, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/109 "2012-03-29T17:48:26Z")
> [@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. But that doesn’t make any sense in the context of what you wrote earlier: > [@Kozmik](#): > > That elderly man did not know that he was dealing with someone who pratically has a Ph.D. in Linguistics. Not to mention that I’ve studied Logic, Psychology, Philosophy, and Political Science. […] I studied Game Theory, too. 😃 That sounds like you’re saying that you practically have a PhD in linguistics. So why should he have said that he was the one with a practical doctorate? Or am I even more confused than I think I am? I’m going down the rabbit hole, aren’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Elk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Anne\_Elk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Elk)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/110 "2012-03-29T18:00:48Z")
Kozmik=Charlie Sheen + tiger blood + Adonis dna ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/111 "2012-03-29T18:11:32Z")
And a politician came to your state and declared that your trees were just the right height. There may be something wrong with your state’s drinking water. I’m just sayin’ is all … ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/112 "2012-03-29T18:12:26Z")
This reminds me of Douglas Adams’ [Biscuit Story,](http://theoldvillage.wordpress.com/2004/01/28/douglas-adams-shares-a-true-story/) except, ya know, without the humor. **Kozmik** trying to “win” the conversation that has no rules. “Forcing” the hat guy into uncomfortable positions if a completely innocuous situation. And, back to the bus story, the whole concept of not being able to say no when someone sits in a seat next to you is bizarre. It’s patently obvious that what the other person is asking is was anyone sitting here before I sat down. Social conventions, white lies, conversational and contextual awareness, these things exist for reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/113 "2012-03-29T18:34:16Z")
> [@Hbns](#): > > 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. You know, I don’t think I “win” nearly enough conversations these days. 😃 ---
**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, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/114 "2012-03-29T19:08:07Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > You know, I don’t think I “win” nearly enough conversations these days. 😃 I know! I should try to “win” conversations with random defenceless old men more often! ---
**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, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/115 "2012-03-29T20:14:17Z")
I’m thinking [Big Fat Liar](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Fat_Liar). > [@](#): > > Plot > Jason Shepherd (Frankie Muniz), a 14-year old living in the fictional town of Greenbury, Michigan **Kozmik** ----- Location: Greenbury, Michigan ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/116 "2012-03-29T20:19:36Z")
Or, more to the point, quit talking to people in public. I probably would’ve had the same response. I don’t care if I’m sitting there all day. ---
**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, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/117 "2012-03-29T22:19:08Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > The conversation should have went: > [@Kozmik](#): > > Or the converation could have went: [QUOTE=Kozmik] pratically has a Ph.D. in Linguistics. Not to mention that I’ve studied Logic, Psychology, Philosophy, and Political Science. [/QUOTE] In what language have you “pratically” earned this PhD? You seem to be not only an aggressive asshole, but semi-literate to boot. I agree with those who have suggested that you are either mentally ill or have made this whole thing up. If this is the way you normally conduct yourself, I’d be surprised if you have any teeth left. ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/118 "2012-03-29T22:35:39Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > 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.” There’s obviously more to this story (or you’re making it up). Random people do not walk into waiting rooms and threaten to call the cops on someone unless that person is acting bizarre in the extreme. > [@](#): > > I throw the popcorn bag in the trash, stand up, face the other guy wearing sunglasses, and mirror his posture. Even though I subtly mock him, even though by putting on the sunglasses I acknowledge his order to not “talk to anyone”, he keeps talking. Doesn’t he know that by putting on sunglasses I agree to not talk and that he, also wearing sunglasses, shouldn’t talk either?. You should crack out that dictionary again and look up the word ‘subtle’, because that kind of mockery is not subtle, it’s an aggressive attempt to force more confrontation. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/119 "2012-03-29T22:58:13Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Dude, did you confuse micrograms and milligrams again? I laughed outright. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mr-feeny-tells-you-i-dont-want-to-talk-to-you-dont-believe-him/617093/120 "2012-03-29T23:25:54Z")
Are you Borat? 'Cause that shit wasn’t funny and I’ll echo everyone else that says you must be mental. Poor elderly man just trying to mind his on damn business. If that had been me, I’d’ve broken out my video phone and now the whole world would be laughing at you on YouTube. [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=5) [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=7)