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Subject: stupid questions From: GUEST,she who sells seashells by the seashore Date: 05 Feb 01 - 02:09 PM Jimmy C states, "there are no stupid questions." Is it true? Are there no stupid questions? |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Sarah2 Date: 05 Feb 01 - 02:19 PM Questions indicate a willingness to learn, I'd think. They confess ignorance, not stupidity. Two different things. Stupid people are often unwilling to learn, so they remain ignorant, true; but they also remain stupid. However, there are a lot of stupid answers out there...Alex got one in the second posting of his thread on Calypso/Raggae music. My humble opinion. Sarah |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 05 Feb 01 - 02:19 PM No question which is asked sincerely, in order to learn the answer, is stupid. JMHO. Alex |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Mrrzy Date: 05 Feb 01 - 02:23 PM In my classes, the stupid questions are of 2 types: 1) The ones you should have asked, but didn't, and |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Gary T Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:03 PM I think there are stupid questions. They are ones that the asker knows, should know, or could easily, with a bit of thought, figure out the answer to. Nevertheless, often questions which APPEAR to be stupid are not so. They sometimes reflect the asker's giving the matter enough thought to realize that certain assumptions don't necessarily apply. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:10 PM The problem, in my experience, is that the person who decides that my question is a "stupid question" is in possession of knowledge which I am not, and who can't imagine a time before they learned that knowledge, and therefore think it's more like "common sense" or "universal knowledge" and not what it really is, viz., something they learned at some point along the way. It behooves us all, I think, to treat other people's questions as serious, honest questions until we have reason to think otherwise. And serious, honest questions are never stupid. Alex |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: bloozcat Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:11 PM I dunno I seem to be fulla' stupid questions ..does that make me stupid then ?....ha ha |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Wesley S Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:12 PM One day when I was working retail I was standing at the cash register ringing up a customers purchase. I was wearing a name tag. Someone asked "Do you work here?" If that wasn't a stupid question then it came pretty darn close. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Matt_R Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:14 PM Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid people. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:18 PM What's the point here? -Stupid Question- ANSWER: YES Spaw |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,I remember Mbo Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:23 PM Matt_R, You are so right about stupid people. Remember that Mbo guy who posted the suicide lyrics and then disappeared from here for a while. We were all worried about sick about him. Then he showed up again under a different name. The joke was sure on us. We were all pretty stupid people to have worried about him. He was just playing us all for fools and we all fell for it. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: CarolC Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:32 PM Here's a stupid question for GUEST, I remember Mbo. Why did you submit that post anonymously? Carol |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Gary T Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:45 PM Wesley, that's an example of what I would call a stupid question. Now in saying that, I assume that the asker had been in retail stores before and had the chance to observe that people who ring up sales and wear name tags do indeed work there. If the person had never been in a store before, then Alex's remarks about supposed "universal knowledge" would apply. Alex, I agree with your observations about "common sense." I have known folks who seem to think that if they know something, anyone who doesn't know it must be stupid. I would disagree about serious, honest never being stupid. I think a question can be serious, honest, and stupid. I don't claim it's common, just possible. This seems to have started on the thread where Alex asked "What's the diff btwn calypso and reggae?" (which was NOT a stupid question). In response to an asinine reply, Alex said "ask a simple question and get an obnoxious flame." Then shesellsetc. escalated that to "You asked a stupid question, you got a stupid flame" (which struck me as rather ridiculous, in that it was not a stupid question). One of the posts had the old saw "There is no such thing as a stupid question." My opinion is that this phrase was coined to bolster the confidence of people who hesitate to asked needed questions for fear of being thought stupid. I'd much rather they feel comfortable asking--as one of my bosses used to say, it's easier to answer a stupid question than to fix a stupid mistake--but I don't believe it's a true statement. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: poor lonesome boy Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:46 PM speaking of stupid, what's with this thread? |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: CarolC Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:51 PM Hey big joe. How've you been? Still haven't found your folks yet. Carol |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,I remember Mbo Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:54 PM CarolC, You asked why I posted anonymously. It's because I wouldn't want anyone to think that my regular Mudcat identity (which like most Mudcat identities is also anonymous) is stupid enough to be responding to threads like this. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:56 PM I remember: Are you saying you're stupid, but don't want people to know you're stupid? |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: CarolC Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:02 PM Wow, GUEST, IRM. That was a good answer. Carol |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Bruce O. Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:12 PM Questions are only stupid when the questioner doesn't bother to think about the subject before asking the question. We're born with a number instincts, but knowledge is zero, and that's where everyone starts from, and no one ever gets to the point of 'know-it-all' (except to their egos). Questions, even though they may sound stupid to others that have a bigger knowledge pool, are an essential part of gaining knowledge. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: poor lonesome boy Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:21 PM hey Carol. How's the Sunshine Town treatin' ya? Never mind my folks, stop in on my grandma and give her a hug for me. Tell what's-his-name that you're visiting to lay off the sarcasm. There are two Ls in Marshall. I got cut off. One typo on a post I thought nobody would read and BOOM, they hit you. *S* |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Ickle dorritt Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:24 PM stupid question -are the seashore shells she sells, seashore shells? |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: CarolC Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:28 PM It's a great town, big joe. Don't mind flattop. Sarcasm is what he does best. He got a kick out of the way you spelled Orillia on both of your posts. He was just having fun with you. He actually was disappointed that you didn't come back to tell us which Marshalls we needed to be looking for. Carol |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Jim Dixon Date: 05 Feb 01 - 05:06 PM Stupid or not, this question has been asked (and answered) before. See these threads:
BS: Stupidest Question Asked! |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Burke Date: 05 Feb 01 - 05:24 PM Yes there are stupid questions. The problem is that the next one might not be stupid. Someone who has felt supid based on past answers might not ask some future question. People in positions to answer questions: parents, teachers, supervisors, doctors, librarians need to remember to treat even the stupid ones as valid so that the ones that aren't stupid get asked. It's like a mantra they need to keep reciting. Creating a mental habit of treating all questions as valid can make that first response less off putting than it might otherwise be. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Little Hawk Date: 05 Feb 01 - 05:28 PM Okay, I'll bite. Here's one: WHEN, OH WHEN, IS SPAW GOING TO STOP POSTING WEIRD AND UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS ABOUT HIS MONSTROUS PHYSICAL ENDOWMENTS AND GROSS PERSONAL HABITS? When is he going to adopt the good manners and tasteful behaviour that are considered essential in order to properly post to Mudcat? Actually, that was two, wasn't it? - LH |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 05 Feb 01 - 05:35 PM Geez, LH, those are easy.
1. Your guess is as good as mine, and Burke, you have hit the nail on the head, at least as far as I am concerned. Whenever we are tempted to be sarcastic and nasty about a question someone has asked, we need to stop and put a sock in it. Sometimes people are lazy, sometimes people ask real doozies. But if they are honestly seeking the answer, we must needs be polite and helpful, and just answer it for them. Part of what the distinction between stupid questions and not-stupid questions is used for, is to create an "inner ring" that excludes certain people, based on their knowledge, how long they've been around, who they know or are related to, or whatever. This, IMHO, is (almost always) evil. Alex |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Sergio Alguim Date: 05 Feb 01 - 07:22 PM I agree with Gary T. I also think there are stupid questions: - Who is the president in USA now ? (I know it, and if I think 10 seconds more, I will remember it) - What religion is the pope representing ? (I know it, and if I think 10 seconds more, I will remember it) - How is the weather today ? (If I look out of the window next to me, then I can see it myself, instead of asking someone) and so on .......... Such questions are stupid, I think, if the persons that ask easily could have found the answers by thinking 10 seconds or look out of the window. But of course, for some people these questions are not stupid. A poor guy in India may not know who is the president in USA, and a person in the jungle may not know what religion the pope represents. And a blind guy may not know how the weather is. But the questions are stupid for those people who speaks before they are thinking, if they easily could have known or remembered the answers, by easy thinking or examining, and for those who are listening to the questions. I think the questions can be stupid for someone, and not stupid for others. And "the others" are not necessarily stupid people, but they are sometimes just not knowing the answers. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,petr Date: 05 Feb 01 - 07:32 PM when you bring chocolates for your girlfriend and she says. Are those for me? (no theyre for your brother or your dad or some other guy) When someone wakes you up to ask you "are you asleep?" When you fall down an elevator shaft and someone asks you "are you alright?" (theres great song by the Canote brothers from Seattle that I just quoted) cheers petr |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Clinton Date: 05 Feb 01 - 08:27 PM Define "stupid." |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Sergio Alguim Date: 05 Feb 01 - 09:19 PM To Clinton: If you are Bill: The word "stupid" means to say like: "These allegations are false" if they are really true. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Pseudolus Date: 06 Feb 01 - 10:24 AM Near my house we have an overpass that 15 years or so back needed serious maintenance. The maintenance took nearly a year to complete and during that time the inconvenience of having to go another route was huge. When it was complete, the city decided to have a parade to commemorate the re-opening of the bridge/overpass. Marching bands, local civis groups, local theatre groups were all asked to participate. I was there with the cast of a show I was doing at the time. It was a real party and everybody had a great time. As we're marching across the bridge, a woman walking next to me said, "This is fun, do they do this every year??" Now I'm a big believer that there are no stupid questions but on that day, I had to make an exception.... :) Frank |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: harpgirl Date: 06 Feb 01 - 10:53 AM Kendall here...when I was with the Fish & Wildlife service, an old woman called my office and asked "I want to know what this floridated water is going to do to my parakeet" absolutely true..I had to reject three smart ass answers before replying. Another time, a mid western tourist asked me how far offshore the boats had to go to catch Finnan Haddie!! Children will often ask questions to which they know the answers, but, they are actually seeking attention. I dont think that makes them stupid. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: CarolC Date: 06 Feb 01 - 10:58 AM What's Finnan Haddie? |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Dave Wynn Date: 06 Feb 01 - 11:20 AM Finnan Haddie=Smoked Haddock (white fish made yellow and flavoursome with oak smoke....) The "stupid question" thing is mainly a matter of everyday courtesy. If someone asks a foolish (or stupid) question it is impolite and discourteous to tell them so. If they ask it twice is another matter. Spot. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: annamill Date: 06 Feb 01 - 12:24 PM Finnan Haddie, absolutely deliciocious!! (sp on purpose) I broil it with a piquant sauce. Butter, herbs, lemon. Umm Umm Good! Expensive though. Love, annamill |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 06 Feb 01 - 12:47 PM Who is the president in USA now ?
That's not a stupid question. It's quite controversial isn't it? Might mean who's in the White House? But maybe it might mean who got elected last November?
And sometime squesdtions aren't wuersdtions at all. Maybe the person who asked Wesley if he worked in the shop was suggesting tha he wasn't working hard enough for his liking. Like the old crack "How many people work here?" - "Oh, about half of them!" |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: MartinRyan Date: 06 Feb 01 - 12:55 PM A few weeks ago, the phone in the office I share with two others, rang. I picked it up and said "Hello!" - being a reasonably polite guy. "Eeeh... Is that Dr. Kelly's voicemail?" sez the caller! Regards |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Blackcatter Date: 06 Feb 01 - 12:55 PM greetings all sometimes, stupid questions have a lot to do with the asker being in an unusual situation where they are receiving a lot of new information and where things are set up differently than normal for them. Hence visitors to Walt Disney World asking the following questions to employees: What time is the 3 o'clock parade? Are those birds real? Is the rain real? It this t-shirt $15 dollars in American money? Where did I park my car? Since you work at Disney, where do you go on vacation? Do you all live here? Where are the Sea World t-shirts? And the one I love and I swear was actually put to me by a middle aged American man: Tell me, is Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog? pax yall
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 06 Feb 01 - 01:30 PM Tell me, is Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?
I think that is very perceptive of someone. I think it's time he was outed. Her's no mouse. I think he's a surgically altered poodle myself. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Lepus Rex Date: 06 Feb 01 - 01:30 PM Don't these dickless cretins ('Peter MacIntosh,' swssbts) read threads like the 'Evil Guest' one? I really wish our IP would be there on each of our posts, even if it meant I'd get DoSed once in a while... ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Lepus Rex Date: 06 Feb 01 - 01:33 PM Oh yeah, and 'Guest, I remember Mbo,' too. Hate to hurt anyone's feelings by leaving them out... ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Ebbie Date: 06 Feb 01 - 02:49 PM McGrath, glad to see your new spell checker is working. :) We- as does probably every tourist destination- get a lot of questions from visitors and we share them with glee. Like, Why don't they clean the glacier for the season? (A local artist did a poster showing a vacuum cleaner busily buzzing across the glacier front) or Do you take American money? (This is Alaska) or What's the exchange rate? (This is Alaska) or Why is the water in your bay so low?(That's the ocean, and tidally affected)or... The questions may be 'stupid' as in 'without thought' but I'm aware of my own propensity to ask witless questions in an unfamiliar area. If it exists at all, a stupid question is very entertaining. Ebbie |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: harpgirl Date: 06 Feb 01 - 04:02 PM Finnan Haddie is smoked haddock in this part of the world. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 06 Feb 01 - 04:44 PM I suppose the "haddie" part means haddock. Does the "finnan" part mean "smoked"? (Is this a stupid question?) Alex |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Lepus Rex Date: 06 Feb 01 - 04:49 PM VERY stupid. And racist. ---Lepus Rex ;) |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 06 Feb 01 - 04:52 PM I admit it! I killed him! I'm so sorry but he was driving me crazy with that BAM! BAM! BAM! every night! Wait. Sorry. Wrong thread. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Spud Murphy Date: 06 Feb 01 - 07:05 PM hi y'all doon t'day? Boy, that's a STUPID question!!!!! Spud |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Blackcatter Date: 06 Feb 01 - 10:26 PM what would a Feinian Haddie be? by the way, I love the Alaskan visitor questions! My favorite questions: A person asked me once near the Big Thunder Mtn. Railroad: "Could you tell me where the Magic Kingdom is?" I tried to explain that she was IN the Magic Kingdom, but she would have nothing of it. I could not persuade her, so I gave up and told her to turn around, walk through Adventureland to the center, go through Main Street USA until she got to the entrance, take the boat or the Monorail to the parking lot, get into her car and drive out to Interstate 4. Make a U-turn at the next interchange and follow the directions for the Magic Kingdom. It next day I found out from my supervisor that she followed my directions and then when she discovered I have lead her on, she complained and insisted that I be fired. My luck the stupidest Disney guest ever was good at remembering names. I was not fired - she easily proved herself to be an idiot to the people she complained to so all I got was a reprimand. pax yall |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: rangeroger Date: 06 Feb 01 - 10:48 PM In my area of Idaho,the northern panhandle, one of the big tourist questions is "At what altitude do the deer turn to elk?" rr |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Matt_R Date: 06 Feb 01 - 11:07 PM This Christmas, I was setting up the Nativity scene outside, and my neighbor came over and asked me "Are those the Wise Men?" And I said "No, it's ZZ Top on a Farm Aid Concert!" Here's your sign. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Clinton Date: 06 Feb 01 - 11:24 PM I tried smoking some haddock once, but I didn't inhale. Had a hard time keeping it lit, too. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Pseudolus Date: 07 Feb 01 - 08:20 AM A "stupid" list.....
Hot enough for ya? I'm sure there's more.... Frank
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: The Walrus at work Date: 07 Feb 01 - 08:41 AM as any re-enactor will know, the public at large can ask some pretty stupid questions While cooking on an open fire, I have been asked "Is that fire real?" , "Is that food real?" and "Are you going to eat that?" (this last as the food was being ladled into mess tins), but the silliest question was once, on a summer day, while fully kitted out with full pack and rifle and having just finished a route march (and while sweating profusely) an old dear asked with a erfectly straight face, "Are you hot in that?". I had to bite my tongue. Walrus |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 07 Feb 01 - 11:46 AM "Oh you're home?" when you pick up the phone isn't really a question, it's an exclamation of surprise. The problem of course is that you all remember when OTHER people ask you a question you consider stupid. You forget the times -- because you didn't recognize them when they were happening -- when you asked someone a question that caused them to go back into the break room and bust up laughing. We're all a bunch of intellectual prigs here, denigrating others' "stupid questions" while being completely blind to our own. A little compassion is all I'm asking, for the askers of questions YOU consider stupid. Alex |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Matt_R Date: 07 Feb 01 - 11:50 AM The residents of Earth seem to have a penchant for stating the obvious. For instance, they say "My you're tall, aren' t you?" and "Oh dear, you seem to have fallen down a well!" --The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Pseudolus Date: 07 Feb 01 - 12:18 PM I totally understand your point Alex, however the "Oh, you're home?" is a self quote and I absolutely was asking a question. Both of us realized at the same time what I just asked and we laughed so hard that I forgot why I called and had to try again later. We have both vowed that if the "question" ever arises again we will quickly answer, "No, but as soon as I get home I'll have myself call ya...." I wasn't planning on "outing" myself as the questioner but what the hey?
Frank |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Blackcatter Date: 07 Feb 01 - 12:42 PM Alex - thanks for finding the biggest brush you could to paint everyone on this list as insensitive boobs - this including anyone who did not share a stupid question and anyone who even said there are no stupid questions. Consider yourself to be guilty of insensitivity as well. As for me, not that I need to defend myself - I've said plenty of stupid things and the point of my posts (if you'd bother to actually read them) was to point out that many (if not all) people asks silly things as a defense for being in unusual situations. Walt Disney World can be overwhelming to many people as can the majesty of Alaska as another poster mentioned. Please, before you flame be sure of the facts. pax yall |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 07 Feb 01 - 01:17 PM Flame? FLAME? Someone's a little sensitive. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Blackcatter Date: 07 Feb 01 - 02:06 PM I'm sorry, I just find it unfortunate when someone decides to call everyone, regardless of the content of their posts "intellectual prigs" |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 07 Feb 01 - 02:19 PM If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it. Sheesh. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 07 Feb 01 - 02:22 PM Look, blackberry, I said: We're all a bunch of intellectual prigs here, denigrating others' "stupid questions" while being completely blind to our own. If you're not denigrating others, then PERFORCE this doesn't apply to you. I was applying it to people who look down their noses at others for their stupid questions. IF YOU DO THIS, YOU'RE A PRIG. If not, the sentence isn't for you, and expects you to ignore it. Other explanations of simple English syntax provided on request. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Gary T Date: 07 Feb 01 - 02:36 PM Well, all I know is that I've never asked a stupid question. Actually, I've never said or done anything stupid at all. And I would remember if I had, because I never forget anything. My only real flaw is, I lie like hell!
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Gary T Date: 07 Feb 01 - 02:45 PM Not meaning to further any argument, but wishing to clarify the syntax thing--that statement could very well have been read as follows: We're all a bunch of intellectual prigs here, (we're all) denigrating others' "stupid questions" while being completely blind to our own. ...whereas Alex's thought might be more precisely rendered as: We're all a bunch of intellectual prigs here, (those of us who are) denigrating others' "stupid questions" while being completely blind to our own. I don't think we can fault Blackcatter for his interpretation of the sentence as written. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 07 Feb 01 - 03:13 PM Even if the first interpretation is the only one (as it clearly is not), "all" is hyperbole, and shouldn't be taken literally. If someone knows they DON'T do this, then their conscience should be clear, and raising a stink about "all" seems to this observer to be on the lines of "Methinks the lady doth protest too much." (Hamlet) |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Ebbie Date: 07 Feb 01 - 03:54 PM MT, how about lightening up a tad? :) Ebbie |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Kim C Date: 07 Feb 01 - 04:01 PM Walrus, I have been asked all of those EXCEPT the fire one, but I hear tell many others have been asked it. I heard it explained thus: people are used to seeing things not real on TV and the movies, and since we are playing pretend at a reenactment, they think everything we do is pretend. "Are you going to sleep in that tent?" seems like a silly question too but I have encountered people who actually don't sleep in the tent, just have it up to have someplace to go in the daytime, and sleep at the hotel. My best, latest silly question was when I went shopping for long underwear. I told the clerk I was looking for long underwear, and she said, "You mean underwear to go up under your clothes?" I ask plenty of silly questions myself. I will freely admit it. I ask them when I know I am ignorant and wish to remedy the situation. :) |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: kendall Date: 07 Feb 01 - 08:05 PM Mousethief, your question about finnan haddie was not stupid. I believe the process was developed in Scotland centuries ago. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: The Walrus at work Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:38 AM I will put my hand up to stupid questions (I have to, I made a prize goof yesterday...). While on the 'phone to a company, I asked for the address, (no problem there) then the fax number (OK), then an e-mail (no problems) then I heard myself ask "and the 'phone number?.." Oooops. I put it down to overwork (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it). Good luck Walrus |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 08 Feb 01 - 12:03 PM Ebbie, It's hard to lighten up when you're being attacked. If the attacker would lighten up, I'd be glad to drop the whole thing. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Blackcatter Date: 08 Feb 01 - 04:28 PM Greetings Oddly enough mousethief, I was originally responding to something that appeared as an attack on other people as well as myself. I was just pointing out that your statement appeared insulting to everyone who has posted on this list. Clearly, I'm not the only one who interpreted it that way, wrongly or no. You also resorted to name calling, which is something I have not done or ever would do. I don't care that you did, but please note that to many people it appears as an immature act - of course you might be 12 years old, I don't know. In that case it could be understandable. I will accept your praise for all of us that we are all experts on the use of hyperbole and non-literal writing. It's a good thing to know that you expect us all to understand everything you write. That's quite a compliment! Now as to the meaning of the word PRIG: which definition are we all (excepting, of course, those not included in ALL)? a thief? a fellow, person? (archaic meaning) a fop? (archaic as well) one who irritates by observance of proprieties as of speech or manners to an obnoxious degree? Just curious . . . pax yall |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: sophocleese Date: 08 Feb 01 - 05:49 PM Not so much a stupid question as one that seemed a little odd in its context. I used to work in a book store. One of the books we regularly kept in stock was a handbook on anger management used in a local counselling program. It was a program that abusive partners, among others, attended. One day a cheerful young man called to ask if we had the book in stock and then asked us to hold a copy for us; he would be in to collect it that afternoon. Fine no problem. Then he asked, "Do you have any books on boxing?" |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Ebbie Date: 08 Feb 01 - 07:14 PM Soph-LOL! Just think how different this thread would be if it had been titled: Havre You Been Asked Entertaining Questions? eb |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 08 Feb 01 - 07:16 PM So if someone, such as a preacher, were to say "We are all miserable sinners", would you take that as a personal insult, blackwater?
Or was that a stupid question on my part? And was that another? (nd the most insoluble question of all - "Is this a question?")P> That Disneyland story of blackwater reminded me of the story of how Barnum dealt with the problem of visitors who hung around his exhibition, so that new people couldn't get in. He stuck up a big flashy notice saying "This way to the EGRESS" - and when people went this way they found themselves outside.
Incidentally it's not at all a stupid question to ask "Are you at home?" on the phone. You can phone someone's home number, and when they answer it's been rerouted to their mobile phone maybe hundreds of miles away. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Blackcatter Date: 08 Feb 01 - 11:23 PM greetings Thank you McGrath for getting my name wrong (unless it was an honest mistake). Nothing I like better than letting other prove a point of mine. By the way, I could care less if my name is modified - it means little to me as it is just a convienent tool, nothing more. As to: ""We are all miserable sinners", would you take that as a personal insult, blackwater?" I wouldn't take it as an insult, but I would believe that he was including me (as well as himself) in that statement. Wouldn't he be including me? And doesn't that go back to Jesus saying "He who is without sin, may throw the first stone."? (I hope I have the meaning if not the quote correct.) Oh, and by the way, it was not Disneyland but Disney World - not a big deal, but indicative of the possiblity you weren't paying much attention. ta |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Amergin Date: 08 Feb 01 - 11:40 PM RangerRoger, I know people who have been asked that elk question....or at least something similar... A bit of a thread creep, but I once knew some one who's desire was to work on a deep draft vessel....on Lake Pend O'reille.... |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Amos Date: 09 Feb 01 - 01:21 AM I maintain that even the "stupidest" person, when asking a question which is based on his ownn sorry personality, is not asking a "stupid question". It may be a rhetorical question, and it may seem to come from a stunningly ignorant and unobservant individual, but the asking itself is probably as smart as anything else the person does. A |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: rangeroger Date: 09 Feb 01 - 01:28 AM Amergin, deep draft vessels on lake Pend 'Oreille is not surprising as the submarine base is still there, and they just launched a new research sub last year.Sure would give you a surprise when you think you've hooked a 26 lb rainbow. rr |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Metchosin Date: 09 Feb 01 - 01:52 AM Well Amos, at least they can serve as a basis for a good laugh when used as a punch line on other family members who also are guilty of momentary brain-fade. Although after reading your definition, I thought twice about recounting it again in the forum.
My husband and I were driving through town, shortly after they made bicycle lanes on a number of the local streets. As you know, Canada has a number of bilingual signs and I gazed absent mindedly out the window at the new signs erected along the route and commented, "I didn't know that XING was French for BIKE." My husband just looked at me and shook his head. I have said a lot of dumb things in my life, but that one topped it. I still double up in laughter upon recollection. Not one of my more sparkling moments. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Feb 01 - 03:05 AM Amos, DANG that's a smart one. If yer that dumb, but smart enough to ask a question to get less dumb-- that's a triumph! Wha hoo! Party hats! Metchosin, I too have one that cracked myself up. In fact I have two, one not unlike yours, though like yours it wasn't a question, it was an exclamation. But I think these ARE sparkling moments. I know my family loves me all the more for having shown this completely wacky stupidity. It's kinda reassuring. First story. Driving in this county when we moved here, it was obvious just by looking around that Thai, Korean, soul, Mexican, Vietnamese, or Filipino food would not be available. Then we drove by another place we'd missed. It was a drive-up ice cream place along the road-- the sign was in the shape of the cone, you know, big thing perched on the roof? Only it had oriental lettering on it. Out comes me, in total joy, with "Korean Ice Cream!!!!" It had been converted to a really good although unusual-looking Chinese place. Our old neighborhood outside Chicago had been full of Korean joints, which I think we kept in business the year Hardi and I were in the search process, and I had simply forgotten that oriental lettering could mean anything else. I was just happy at the thought of Bi Beam Rice I didn't have to make, myself. The ice cream part-- well you had to be there. Second story, with the dumb question in it: Teen kids, in car. I'm driving them home from school. Me: How was your day? Kids: Boring! Everyone else got out early! Me: How come? Kids: They all went to some big funeral. Me: A FUNERAL!! What, did somebody DIE? Years have passed but any of us can be made to lose it all over again simply by throwing that last line "What, did somebody DIE?" into a conversation. I'm gonna claim the Mousethief exception tho-- it was an exclamation of surprise, too. What I love are the moments when I realize I have been TOO STUPID TO LIVE, and yet no harm has come to me-- I always crack up to see I have relaxed that much and have quit trying to get it all RIGHT. And the universe does have room for me on a dumb day. I should know better-- any ATM's mode of operation tells us this is a world made to work for the lowest common denominator. So, yes, I think there ARE stupid questions, and I personally like asking them! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions - song From: Joe Offer Date: 09 Feb 01 - 03:27 AM Now, since this is a music site, I want you all to go and take a look at the song called Foolish Questions. Also, I believe that Finn and Haddie is a band that Barry Finn belongs to. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Metchosin Date: 09 Feb 01 - 03:46 AM Wysiwyg, both yours and Joe's posts reminded me of my Uncle's reply to his supervisor, when my Uncle requested time off to attend his brother-in-law's funeral. The supervisor asked, "Oh, did Fred die?" to which my Uncle replied, "No, we just bury him once in awhile." |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Lepus Rex Date: 09 Feb 01 - 03:55 AM When I was a kid, my dad told me a story about driving through the mountains in Germany or someplace. He ended the story by telling me that he drove off a cliff, falling several hundred feet (Untrue, of course). I gasped, and then asked him if he had died... ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Dunc Date: 09 Feb 01 - 05:27 AM I once called a police officer to pass on a message to him, and in his broad Irish accent he picked up the phone, not knowing who he was talking to, and said "Hello - This is me... Is that You?" On another occasion, the same officer asked someone who was sitting on a newspaper, "Are you reading that?" |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock Date: 09 Feb 01 - 07:11 AM I had a friend who was reading a book in a restaurant when the waitress paused and asked him "Whatcha reading for?". He says he could have coped with "what are you reading?", but her query for a reason had him stumped. He eventually answered "because I can". |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock Date: 09 Feb 01 - 07:14 AM Oh, I just remembered another stupid question. People who see an empty chair beside you in a pub and say "Is anyone sitting there?". I usually reply "Yes, but they're very small". I have, however, found myself asking the same thing on occasions. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,comrie Date: 09 Feb 01 - 09:39 AM I believe Finnan Haddie originates from Findon, a village in Grampian, Scotland, 5 miles south of Aberdeen, and I agree - it is delish! |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: mousethief Date: 09 Feb 01 - 05:01 PM Fib, they could have gone to the restroom. that's not a stupid question at all. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 09 Feb 01 - 07:12 PM Blackcatter - sorry, no that was an honest misreading on my part. There's a Blackwater River in Essex (and a more famous one in Cork, and a few more here and there), and that's a word I'm more used to seeing written down than blackcatter.
I'm afraid I'd always though Disney World and Disneyland were the same thing - or rather two versions of the same thing, like you have MacDonalds in different places (we've got no fewer than four in Harlow, God help us). I suppose I assumed that Disneyland was the collective name for that place in Florida, and the other one near Paris, and the one in California.
As for "We're all miserable sinners" - the reason it's not insulting is surely because the person saying it includes themself. And it read to me as if mousethief (Alex) was doing the same when he said "We're all a bunch of intellectual prigs here." |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Blackcatter Date: 10 Feb 01 - 12:56 AM McGrath, Thank you for the nice response. I really appreciate it. It isn't that big of a deal but I feel that there is a context difference between the "sinners" statement and mousethief's. To me it doesn't matter if the person making a statement includes himself in the statement. If I read it as a negative comment, it's a negative comment. The preacher is coming from (my assumption) a tradition that has the point that all of us have sinned, it is accepted and his point is not that that is bad, but that it is to be accepted and thought of as a challenge. Now my interpretation may not be terribly correct for I am not or have I ever been Christian and my personal philosophy does not accept the Christian concept of sin. So technically I would disagree with the preacher theat "we're all sinners" but I accept it as his belief/opinion. mousethief hasn't shared any "stupid" questions and has mentioned something to the effect that he doesn't believe that there are stupid questions (paraphrazing an early post). So why he was including himself in his statement puzzles me. Basically it comes down to my opinion that he used an inflammatory statement to disagree with this thread. I have not problem that he disagreed - he did so a few times earlier and I had no problems with his statement then. pax yall |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock Date: 10 Feb 01 - 06:39 AM Ahh, but Alex, if they'd gone to the restroom, they wouldn't be sitting there.... |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock Date: 10 Feb 01 - 06:39 AM Ahh, but Alex, if they'd gone to the restroom, they wouldn't be sitting there.... |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: wysiwyg Date: 10 Feb 01 - 11:59 AM How about Mousethief and Blackcatter spend some time in PMs getting to know one another before assumptions about attitude become entrenched, and then come back and let us know they've resolved this. If either have erred, they're more likely to learn from the situation in private than here in the thread where it becomes "who agrees with whom" all to easily. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Amos Date: 10 Feb 01 - 12:30 PM Let's not get so literal-minded here. You are still allowed to say you are sitting in a theater seat, for example, even while you go to the concession stand during intermission. It's an allowed sense of the verb form; just as when someone asks "where are you working now?", the right answer (if you are really trying to communicate and not be a smartass) is not "I'm not working, am !? I'm standing here talking to you, aren't I?...you jerk!" . There are lots of ordinary constructions that use this verb construction, which I am sure has some kind of fancy name, to include a larger framework of time than the immediate moment -- "where are you studying", or for that matter, "Meet Jim -- he's studying astrophysics" when the guy is OBVIOUSLY standing right there with a beer in his hand. A
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Gary T Date: 10 Feb 01 - 01:47 PM Oh, sure, Amos--take all of the fun out of it.....(BG) |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Bill D Date: 10 Feb 01 - 03:17 PM I can usually deal with honest questions from people who seem not-too-bright...they are often doing the best they can. My pet peeve is lazy questions from people who could easily find the answer, but just want it all done FOR them. I have a little mental exercise I do sometimes..(sort of a Zen thing) of sitting and trying to imagine being someone who truly doesn't think, cope, understand or comprehend the simplest concepts and relationships in this big world. I can't really do this, but it is a way to gain a tiny bit of tolerance. **Little old lady, calling radio program, when daylight savings time was new...."I'm now sure I approve of this messing with the time-won't it confuse the chickens?" |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Greyeyes Date: 11 Feb 01 - 09:54 AM You could of course say "is someone sitting there, who has momentarily vacated the seat in order to buy a drink at the bar or visit the toilet?" But it's a bit of a mouthful. It would perhaps be more correct to ask "is this seat taken?" but it sounds a bit poncey. I think most of us would opt for "is anyone sitting there?" Incidentally Spot, proper Finnann Haddie is not yellow. The yellow stuff is sprayed with artificial dye and is generally inferior in quality to the proper undyed product, which is a pale cream colour, and as has been mentioned several times, absolutely delicious. |
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Subject: RE: stupid questions From: Greyeyes Date: 11 Feb 01 - 10:04 AM And another thing. At the risk of being accused of pedantry, the correct quotation is "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." III.ii.242 |
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