This is sort of the basis of a poll I considered posting on the Dope. The question would have been what kind of person you envisioned being if and when you reached old age: the kindly, trusting grandma/grandpa type who saw good in everyone and was prone to spending their retirement money on home repair scams and useless insurance policies - or the suspicious, crotchety sort who didn’t take shit from anyone.
This of course is another unnecessary false dichotomy, but if forced to choose I’d rather be seen as Mr. Get-Off-My-Lawn than spend my declining years in the poorhouse because of foolish gullibility.
I must say I endorse your point of view in this context, as I am in that age group – or soon will be. Believe it or not, I keep a Daisy BB gun by the door in case my yelling people off the lawn (not just kids but adults who let their dogs shit by the mailbox) doesn’t move them along. The gun has trouble reaching the street but it’s the thought that counts, you see.
Elwood was crazy! …and he almost was imprisoned for the rest of his life. Sorry, but people who are not smart, whether pleasant or not, are always taken advantage of in this world on earth.
Classic false dilemma, and anyone who says any different is a dimwitted cunt.
To be serious, it should be part of the social contract. I should try not to take offence when you correct me, and you should try to not be a jerk when doing so, and vice-versa. There are too many people out there who treat debate as gladitorial combat. They can’t distinguish between an attack on their position and an attack on themselves, or who think winning the argument is more important than learning something. I sometimes get sucked into that kind of thing, but I do make efforts to avoid it.
The quote is taken from the classic movie Harvey (1950) starring Jimmy Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd. To those who have seen the movie, Elwood’s definition of “pleasant” and the context are fully and completely explained in the OP.
While, in this life, I try my best to be pleasant, it has been my observation that arrogant assholes are the ones who seem to consistently prosper.
I’m sure all you guys know of some dude who is a thorough-going ass, and everyone knows it. Yet they never seem to have any problem getting a girlfriend, and usually the most desirable (head cheerleader in HS, e.g.). Even when they treat their gf like shit, and her friends say, “Why don’t you dump the chump?” her response is, “Oh, but I love him!”
In all areas of society, from the economic meltdown, politics, industry, and on and on, it seems the heartless scumbags not only prosper, but have a hugely enjoyable time while doing it.
As a way of “going through life” it seems the more assholish have an easier, more profitable and gratifying journey.
Thanks. I’m sure it’s a classic movie, but I’ve never seen it.
I agree with your statement. While I don’t want to be an asshole, I think they get further in life. Also, being kind and pleasant to others can have benefits, but I often find the person who the kindess was extended to often forgets the extender and doesn’t return the favor (even if they’re able to).
Maybe my opinion would be different if I saw the movie, but my original statememnt stands. I don’t think being pleasant (alone) equals happiness.
So I guess what I was trying to say, since I was supposed to choose one or the other, is smart is best, because then you’d be smart enough to know when at least to pretend you’re nice.