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Being made fun of for being proper

J

JonathanYoung

Senior member
This article on Yahoo! (it's about a minor spelling mistake on the front cover of Guitar Hero) made me think about something that's always puzzled me.

When I was a kid, certain people would make fun of me for getting good grades, paying attention in class, etc. Even as an adult, when I get too much into detail sometimes, people will tell me to "relax" or "chill out."

Why does popular culture frown on people who follow the rules and try to do the right thing?

I understand that life is not black and white and I've broken a rule or two in my time, but there are some things where you just can't cut corners. There are so many messed up things in society now because of cutting corners, yet it's still considered "cool" to break the rules.

Obviously, Guitar Hero is just a game, and maybe it's not that important to get the spelling of a band right, but at what point do we stop and say "OK, this *is* important, we have to do it right?"

If this post is a little incoherent, I apologize. I'm just thinking out loud.
 
IMO when something is going to actually have major consequences, it's important. In my Chinese class, no one gets flak for studying extra or answering questions in class - it's a hard language and we all want to get good grades. But if you're playing Apples to Apples and someone is getting pissed off because you're not using the dictionary definitions of the words (this has happened; my friend's mom threw a shit fit because she didn't get our sense of humor), that's too much.

Everyone makes fun of the "teacher's pet" in middle/high school. I actually got called that a couple of times because I did my homework and answered questions. But as long as you're not being a tool, IMO you're not doing anything wrong.
 
A) You think spelling mistakes are something we "just can't cut corners" on?
B) Go watch idiocracy
C) Shut up, nerd.
 
I let a lot of typos, etc on forums fly because it's just shorthand between users.

A typo on the cover of a PROFESSIONAL company product is unacceptable and makes it look unprofessional.
 
Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
Everyone makes fun of the "teacher's pet" in middle/high school. I actually got called that a couple of times because I did my homework and answered questions. But as long as you're not being a tool, IMO you're not doing anything wrong.
Click to expand...

How would you define being a tool?
 
Originally posted by: JonathanYoung
This article on Yahoo! (it's about a minor spelling mistake on the front cover of Guitar Hero) made me think about something that's always puzzled me.

When I was a kid, certain people would make fun of me for getting good grades, paying attention in class, etc. Even as an adult, when I get too much into detail sometimes, people will tell me to "relax" or "chill out."

Why does popular culture frown on people who follow the rules and try to do the right thing?

I understand that life is not black and white and I've broken a rule or two in my time, but there are some things where you just can't cut corners. There are so many messed up things in society now because of cutting corners, yet it's still considered "cool" to break the rules.

Obviously, Guitar Hero is just a game, and maybe it's not that important to get the spelling of a band right, but at what point do we stop and say "OK, this *is* important, we have to do it right?"

If this post is a little incoherent, I apologize. I'm just thinking out loud.
Click to expand...

This question strikes me as very rhetorical. Of course it's cool to be a rebel, do "bad" things and disregard the rules. We find these types of people to be adventurous, sexy and appealing.

But I agree with your assertion that it is improper to break certain rules. Spelling and grammar are paramount. People who cannot communicate clearly and professionally suffer decreased reputations, a loss of opportunities and decreased productivity. Companies lose potential revenue and customers, users waste time following unclear or incorrect instructions and people are misunderstood.

The underlying principle is that you need to first know the rules, so you can know where (and by what degree) it is appropriate to circumvent them.

 
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
It rouses my ire any time I see a mistake in printed word, ads, or commercials.
Click to expand...

Word.

It feels like I'm always catching typos in every book I read.

 
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
It rouses my ire any time I see a mistake in printed word, ads, or commercials.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. How can you trust any company if they don't care enough about their image to spend a couple of bucks on a proof reader?
 
Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
Originally posted by: JonathanYoung
This article on Yahoo! (it's about a minor spelling mistake on the front cover of Guitar Hero) made me think about something that's always puzzled me.

When I was a kid, certain people would make fun of me for getting good grades, paying attention in class, etc. Even as an adult, when I get too much into detail sometimes, people will tell me to "relax" or "chill out."

Why does popular culture frown on people who follow the rules and try to do the right thing?

I understand that life is not black and white and I've broken a rule or two in my time, but there are some things where you just can't cut corners. There are so many messed up things in society now because of cutting corners, yet it's still considered "cool" to break the rules.

Obviously, Guitar Hero is just a game, and maybe it's not that important to get the spelling of a band right, but at what point do we stop and say "OK, this *is* important, we have to do it right?"

If this post is a little incoherent, I apologize. I'm just thinking out loud.
Click to expand...

This question strikes me as very rhetorical. Of course it's cool to be a rebel, do "bad" things and disregard the rules.

But I agree with your assertion that it is improper to break certain rules. Spelling and grammar are paramount. People who cannot communicate clearly and professionally suffer decreased reputations, a loss of opportunities and decreased productivity. Companies lose potential revenue and customers, users waste time following unclear or incorrect instructions and people are misunderstood.

The underlying principle is that you need to first know the rules, so you can know where (and by what degree) it is appropriate to circumvent them.
Click to expand...

How strict to grammar are we referring to here?

People who need to point out every little mistake about grammar, I consider squares, people I see as so uptight I cannot be around them.
Mind you, I know how to write a grammatically correct paper. I can't name every single part of a language, like case structures, participles, etc.... however, I've learned how sections and words go together to create proper sentences, even including proper use of semi-colons and colons - something I'm fairly confident over 75% of the US population are incapable of doing. 😛

But those individuals that must stand there, push up their thick-rimmed glasses, adjust their pocket protector, and argue that you used a word or phrase wrong. UGH. I feel like breaking their nose most of the time, so I walk away. The same goes for anyone that acts remotely similar for ANY topic that can be spoken about. If you cannot intelligently and appropriately handle situations where someone makes the most unimportant of mistakes in anything... then you are no better than they are, in fact you are worse for having absolutely NO grasp on proper social skills.

Being a great member of society is NOT about being perfect and following every rule in the book 24/7. There is NO need, none whatsoever. People make mistakes, both consciously and unconsciously, and most likely unknowingly for some. In casual life, it does not matter. Relaxing, letting go of some "rules", is an easy way to stress how unimportant something is. When someone speaks in a relaxed, slightly improper manner (in regards to rules, not social acceptability), it is in combination that this person is likely confident in what they are speaking, who they are speaking to, and will be coupled with body language that suggests they are at ease. There is nothing wrong with this, and it all comes with the territory. I have not heard a single stiff in terms of language ever sound relaxed, and they rarely look relaxed. That's bad. Terrible on your health and likely cutting over years if this is kept up, because even unknown stress will degrade your lifespan potential. As per the common phrase... there is no need to sweat the small stuff.

There will be a time and place where these rules must not be bent, let it dealt with there if it is a real problem for any individual.
 
Originally posted by: JonathanYoung
This article on Yahoo! (it's about a minor spelling mistake on the front cover of Guitar Hero) made me think about something that's always puzzled me.

When I was a kid, certain people would make fun of me for getting good grades, paying attention in class, etc. Even as an adult, when I get too much into detail sometimes, people will tell me to "relax" or "chill out."

Why does popular culture frown on people who follow the rules and try to do the right thing?

I understand that life is not black and white and I've broken a rule or two in my time, but there are some things where you just can't cut corners. There are so many messed up things in society now because of cutting corners, yet it's still considered "cool" to break the rules.

Obviously, Guitar Hero is just a game, and maybe it's not that important to get the spelling of a band right, but at what point do we stop and say "OK, this *is* important, we have to do it right?"

If this post is a little incoherent, I apologize. I'm just thinking out loud.
Click to expand...

I'm not reading that incoherent nonsense! It's like you're just thinking out loud. When you can formulate a proper paragraph, perhaps I'll answer your query. Until then, www.hookedonphonics.com for you!
 
Originally posted by: lokiju
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
It rouses my ire any time I see a mistake in printed word, ads, or commercials.
Click to expand...

Word.

It feels like I'm always catching typos in every book I read.
Click to expand...

I get severely distracted when there are typos in books. I will start thinking about editing and spell check software while I am still reading along. All of the sudden I am 2 paragraphs ahead and I can't remember a single word of what I read.
 
Originally posted by: JonathanYoung
Originally posted by: Blieb
Look in a mirror and then think back to what that looked like.
Click to expand...

Ouch?
Click to expand...

I was kiddin' man ...

I like good spelling and it kills me when people spell simple words wrong.

I also like it when someone signs and email and does something like "MIke" ...
 
Originally posted by: destrekor
How strict to grammar are we referring to here?

People who need to point out every little mistake about grammar, I consider squares, people I see as so uptight I cannot be around them.
Mind you, I know how to write a grammatically correct paper. I can't name every single part of a language, like case structures, participles, etc.... however, I've learned how sections and words go together to create proper sentences, even including proper use of semi-colons and colons - something I'm fairly confident over 75% of the US population are incapable of doing. 😛

But those individuals that must stand there, push up their thick-rimmed glasses, adjust their pocket protector, and argue that you used a word or phrase wrong. UGH. I feel like breaking their nose most of the time, so I walk away. The same goes for anyone that acts remotely similar for ANY topic that can be spoken about. If you cannot intelligently and appropriately handle situations where someone makes the most unimportant of mistakes in anything... then you are no better than they are, in fact you are worse for having absolutely NO grasp on proper social skills.

Being a great member of society is NOT about being perfect and following every rule in the book 24/7. There is NO need, none whatsoever. People make mistakes, both consciously and unconsciously, and most likely unknowingly for some. In casual life, it does not matter. Relaxing, letting go of some "rules", is an easy way to stress how unimportant something is. When someone speaks in a relaxed, slightly improper manner (in regards to rules, not social acceptability), it is in combination that this person is likely confident in what they are speaking, who they are speaking to, and will be coupled with body language that suggests they are at ease. There is nothing wrong with this, and it all comes with the territory. I have not heard a single stiff in terms of language ever sound relaxed, and they rarely look relaxed. That's bad. Terrible on your health and likely cutting over years if this is kept up, because even unknown stress will degrade your lifespan potential. As per the common phrase... there is no need to sweat the small stuff.

There will be a time and place where these rules must not be bent, let it dealt with there if it is a real problem for any individual.
Click to expand...

destrekor, excellent post, a perfect example of how life is not black and white, and that it goes both ways: can't be too strict, and can't be too relaxed. It all depends on the situation/context.
 
Originally posted by: Blieb
Originally posted by: JonathanYoung
Originally posted by: Blieb
Look in a mirror and then think back to what that looked like.
Click to expand...

Ouch?
Click to expand...

I was kiddin' man ...

I like good spelling and it kills me when people spell simple words wrong.

I also like it when someone signs and email and does something like "MIke" ...
Click to expand...

ok mr epock.com
 
I will admit that I tend to judge people based on how they write, especially if they are writing to me from a professional position. Based on the responses I've read so far in this thread, I would think that most people judge as well, either consciously or subconsciously.

Perhaps it's just human nature. It's like how dress changes the way people view and judge you. We see people dressed nicely and we are immediately more receptive towards them, despite not knowing a single thing about them.
 
it's about a minor spelling mistake on the front cover of Guitar Hero
Click to expand...

Minor spelling mistake?

Son, that is a Major spelling CRIME.

Normally I consider Spelling and Grammar Nazis to suffer from some bizzare form of OCD. I guess you think you're some kind of goody two shoes, or some kind of overachiever, I'm thinking nobody really noticed?
 
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