# ZPG Zealot: A troll too far **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 14, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621 "2011-01-14T17:55:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![buckgully](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@buckgully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buckgully)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/61 "2011-01-14T22:42:59Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > You’re what Hitler had nightmares about. Showing up to school naked? ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/62 "2011-01-14T22:44:44Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > (Why do people put random capitalization and, in this case, extra letters in my username? I knew I should have switched to chicken baby bus.) Sorry that wasn’t intended. You see, because I hate children so much, I’m reading a message board while babysitting my nephews. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/63 "2011-01-14T22:48:02Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > You are fucking cookoo. And indivduals as naive as you are what criminals live for. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/64 "2011-01-14T22:51:01Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > Do you ever talk or interact with people other than middle-class WASPs? Well, I can’t speak for jsgoddess, but I definitely interact with plenty of people who aren’t middle class WASPs, and yet I’ve never met anyone remotely like you. You’re special. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/65 "2011-01-14T22:51:19Z")
Thank you for reinforcing my previous statement. ETA: directed at the cookoo ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/66 "2011-01-14T22:51:46Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > Sorry that wasn’t intended. You see, because I hate children so much, I’m reading a message board while babysitting my nephews. That doesn’t prove you don’t hate children…you’ve made it clear you do such things due to familial obligation. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/67 "2011-01-14T22:52:06Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > Sorry that wasn’t intended. You see, because I hate children so much, I’m reading a message board while babysitting my nephews. I hope one of them hasn’t fallen down a well while you’re typing. Just kidding. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/68 "2011-01-14T22:53:39Z")
He didn’t _fall_. The adoption people were coming. What was she \*supposed \*to do with him? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/69 "2011-01-14T22:54:35Z")
I’ve lost count of the number of women who’s hands I’ve shook. Potential rapist? By **ZPG’s** “logic” I’m a potential Ted Bundy! ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/70 "2011-01-14T22:54:53Z")
Well, I hope she fishes him out soon. The whole village needs that well. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/71 "2011-01-14T22:55:40Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > He didn’t _fall_. The adoption people were coming. What was she \*supposed \*to do with him? Apparently rolling them in garlic keeps the adoption people away. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/72 "2011-01-14T22:57:14Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > Sorry that wasn’t intended. You see, because I hate children so much, I’m reading a message board while babysitting my nephews. I didn’t say you _hate_ children. I said you are willing to _kill_ them. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/73 "2011-01-14T23:03:36Z")
I don’t really see the agita over the shaking hands thing. In some cultures, men aren’t supposed to touch unrelated women, and women aren’t supposed to touch unrelated men, even if it’s just a handshake, because physical contact between the sexes is seen as potentially sexual. So, if you’re a woman in one of those cultures, which she is, a man trying to shake your hand is a violation, and the man is suggesting that you’re a slut who’s willing to let yourself get felt up by a strange man. People view things through the lenses of their culture; we all do, so even though you, not being part of that culture, might not intend your actions to be viewed a certain way, somebody from that culture might still view it that way. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/74 "2011-01-14T23:06:53Z")
But ZPG Zealot is at least as immersed in American culture as she is in any other, so she has no excuse for applying sinister motives to \*American \*men who initiate a handshake, which is, after all, deeply ingrained in American culture. ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/75 "2011-01-14T23:08:48Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > People view things through the lenses of their culture; we all do, so even though you, not being part of that culture, might not intend your actions to be viewed a certain way, somebody from that culture might still view it that way. Except that she is an American citizen and grew up in America. And she’s trying to say men in our society should not ever offer their hand to a woman. Should not treat her as an equal, but instead as a delicate little lady who is too fragile to touch the big tough men. That’s offensive. I’m all for cultural sensitivity, but to act as if the common behaviour of an entire culture should be changed because of your kooky and insanely outdated beliefs is preposterous. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/76 "2011-01-14T23:10:04Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I don’t really see the agita over the shaking hands thing. In some cultures, men aren’t supposed to touch unrelated women, and women aren’t supposed to touch unrelated men, even if it’s just a handshake, because physical contact between the sexes is seen as potentially sexual. So, if you’re a woman in one of those cultures, which she is, a man trying to shake your hand is a violation, and the man is suggesting that you’re a slut who’s willing to let yourself get felt up by a strange man. > > People view things through the lenses of their culture; we all do, so even though you, not being part of that culture, might not intend your actions to be viewed a certain way, somebody from that culture might still view it that way. If she said “I come from a culture where men and women don’t touch each other casually, and I have to admit shaking hands with men unnerves me,” I don’t think anyone would think twice. What she said was “Men who shake hands with women are all potential rapists.” Surely you can see the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/77 "2011-01-14T23:15:01Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > Except that she is an American citizen and grew up in America. And she’s trying to say men in our society should not ever offer their hand to a woman. Should not treat her as an equal, but instead as a delicate little lady who is too fragile to touch the big tough men. That’s offensive. She may be a US citizen and grew up in America, but that doesn’t mean that she grew up in the American culture. And she’s not saying that men shouldn’t offer their hands to women because women are “too fragile to touch the big tough men.” She’s saying that men shouldn’t offer their hands to women because it’s sexually insulting. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/78 "2011-01-14T23:19:00Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > If she said “I come from a culture where men and women don’t touch each other casually, and I have to admit shaking hands with men unnerves me,” I don’t think anyone would think twice. What she said was “Men who shake hands with women are all potential rapists.” Surely you can see the difference. Sure. The difference is that the first statement is a self criticism, ie. “Ignore my eccentric personal quirk, I grew up in a less enlightened society than yours.”. The second is a criticism of you ie. “I don’t touch men because my society says it’s wrong to and my society is right to. Your society is screwed up.” You’re insulted because she doesn’t accept the superiority of your culture. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/79 "2011-01-14T23:19:43Z")
Not sexually insulting. Sexually _threatening_. There is no way to spin “men who initiate a handshake are potential rapists” that makes it sound notbatshitcrazy. And no one is insulted that she “doesn’t accept the superiority of our culture”. People are insulted because she called them potential rapists. Do try to keep up. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621/80 "2011-01-14T23:22:14Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > She may be a US citizen and grew up in America, but that doesn’t mean that she grew up in the American culture. Based on her various statements, I’m not convinced she grew up in human culture. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zpg-zealot-a-troll-too-far/567621.md?page=5)