POLL: Are assholes

[Schadenfreude]

Born or raised?

I just walked up to my apartment and saw a buncha guys talking by a moving truck - I didn't make a point of getting out of my way, but they were practically blocking the hall, so as I walked by I said a friendly, "hey how are ya guys" and all I get is a sharp "good" and a glare - I didn't particularly care, as I was walking past as I said it, but damn, why do some people have to be assholes around here?

The town is growing, but it still has a small-town mentality where everyone is generally friendly . . . but not where I live - whenever my roommates or I say "hi" to anyone, all we get is a silent stare . . . not to mention the fact that this is section 8 housing and the remnent residents of Cabrini Green (absolute worst part of Southside Chicago that was torn down recently) were moved down here . . . and an 80-year old man was killed a block away on an Eagle's grocery parking lot (they hit him so hardd they found his teeth at the back of his throat) . . ..

Anyhow, most of you would probably say that it's a mixture of both - but one part has to edge out the other, regardless of how much - post what you think!

 

[dude8604]

both

 

[her209]

Its that time of the month eh?

 

[Atrail]

if they weren't born then how'd they get here

 

[stormbv]

Yeah, I'd say both.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: dude8604
both

 

[Schadenfreude]

Originally posted by: her209
Its that time of the month eh?

What, for people to be asswipes? Well, this has been going on, and liek I said the rest of the town has a small-community feel to it, so it's even a bigger contrast . . ..

 

[isaacmacdonald]

raised. being polite and generally friendly is a prerequisitie for most success.

 

[Nocturnal]

I think it's just that we live in such a sheltered society meaning if do certain things in this day and age you don't get a spanking due to fear of going to jail. You get a "don't do that please," and that's that. Nothing more. Hence the reason why a lot of people these days don't have a lot of manners and what have you.

 

[Shawn]

My dad's an asshole and his parents are the nicest people in the world. So born...

 

[DanJ]

Raised.

 

[AreaCode707]

I think people are born with a predisposed temperment, but it's the raising that determines what they do with it. Anyone, I believe, can be well-mannered.

 

[zCypher]

YEah it's a combination, it's not a simple answer like that.

Also - just saying "good" in response to how you doing, is NORMAL! I wouldn't be pissed if I asked someone how they were doing and they just said GOOD, cause it happens all the time. However., there are a crapload of assholes and there isn't much one can do about that.

 

[PatboyX]

i think its a nice combo...but i think that raising can be more influencial.
however: as far as your story is concerned...often times i am on the opposite end of what happened to you. someone surprises me with a greeting or something and i react in a way that, although not hostile, is so awkward i have been told i come off just plain rude or practically ignoring the person who said something. i was going into work today and one of the guys that works there also was outside. i dont know him so well and he was standing at one door, i was going into the other. i didnt even know he saw me but as im opening the door he says "hey how you doing" and, so surprised, all i manage is "good" before i realize im inside.
i probably came off like an ass but i didnt mean to.
and now its been bugging me all day.
moral: dont assume they're asses! they could just be awkward nuerotics like myself!

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: dude8604
both

works for me

 

[EXman]

Raised is Killing

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: dude8604
both

 

[boyRacer]

assholes are raised by assholes

 

[Schadenfreude]

I think the general consensus is a "raised" thankyouverymuch.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Originally posted by: PatboyX
i think its a nice combo...but i think that raising can be more influencial.
however: as far as your story is concerned...often times i am on the opposite end of what happened to you. someone surprises me with a greeting or something and i react in a way that, although not hostile, is so awkward i have been told i come off just plain rude or practically ignoring the person who said something. i was going into work today and one of the guys that works there also was outside. i dont know him so well and he was standing at one door, i was going into the other. i didnt even know he saw me but as im opening the door he says "hey how you doing" and, so surprised, all i manage is "good" before i realize im inside.
i probably came off like an ass but i didnt mean to.
and now its been bugging me all day.
moral: dont assume they're asses! they could just be awkward nuerotics like myself!

Well I've been at the opposite end as well - but I don't intentionally glare at the person who says a greeting at me . . .. Honestly, living in a town where the vast majority of the community (both on-campus and off - the campus body is 95% caucasian, but I live off-campus to get cheaper/quieter housing) is white, I couldn't help but wonder if the guy's . . . well, that might be pushing it too far.

 

[pennylane]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
assholes are raised by assholes

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
assholes are raised by assholes

I tend to agree here. My dad's dad was an asshole from all accounts, my dad is an asshole, and I'm an asshole . I've been trying to break the cycle for a long time and have partially succeeeded, but it's been a painful road for me and especially my wife. Fortunately, my mom is a saint compared to my dad, so it balanced my personality out a little.

I still don't like myself very much, though.

::sigh::