That happens to me all the damn time, like my subconscious will be recognizing what needs to be done but I won't recognize it on a conscientious level. I remember back in grade school I'd be riding the school bus, and suddenly out of the blue get all alert of my surroundings and scared for a second that I had stopped paying attention and missed my stop. But I never actually did, it just felt like I was tuning into my surroundings for the first time. Good to hear someone else has that same "problem"

^^Haha!

I do that on the train sometimes.

I think it's funny how much people swing their arms when they walk. The first time I ever thought about this I was walking through downtown Chicago one morning on my way to work (no doubt swinging my arms). I suddenly was acutely aware that the hundreds of people around me were all swinging their arms like crazy as they walked and it struck me how hilarious it looks. We're really kind of a ridiculous animal when you think about it.

I used to notice this myself and get paranoid about how ridiculous my arm swinging motion was. Then I realized that no one else notices and you look more ridiculous not letting them naturally follow their plane of motion.

And yes, we're ridiculous. I find it so painfully obvious to see our actions don't separate us from other animals that much by just observing human behavior throughout the day.

Reminded me of this:


Seinfeld - Raquel Welch Catfight - YouTube

:laughing:

^I remember that^

Dude either needs to put the bong down, or smoke more. Not sure.

people jumping on trains last minute... then they get stuck in the doors and then the doors open and delay the train even more......

I think thanks is a politeness that should be exercised when the situation requires it. I also hate when someone's running for the bus "Wait! Don't leave! Hold on! PUFF PUFF PUFF!" and the driver holds the bus. I can count the number of times people have NOT passed the driver by without even a "thanks mate!" on the fingers of one finger. Really, if that's not rude I don't know what is. It drives me mad!

The guy didn't have to hold the bus for you, you know. YOU were late. He was paying you a courtesy, being nice by making sure you got the bus and you don't even thank him when you get on! Rude ****.

Analyse that! I'm angry on behalf of someone else for a third party's lack of manners! :)

Personally, I either have bags in my hands so my arms can't swing, or I keep my hands in my pockets...

I do the hands in pockets thing sometimes too. Or the one hand in pocket, other arm swinging maneuver :pimp:

Do you guys keep your hands in your pockets even when you're running to catch a bus or train? That must look hilarious. :laughing:

People who stand in front of doors having a conversation with someone who then give you a dirty look when you hit them as you're trying to walk through it.

What's that all about?

Or when guys with ugly ass girlfriends give you the stare down like they're daring you to check out their girlfriend.

Just a chimpanzee asserting his dominance.

No, have to admit when I run I look like a windmill gone seriously wrong! :D

It doesn't have anything to do with behavior, but has anyone stared at their foot? I mean really stared at it? It's the weirdest looking part of the human body (barring genitalia), It's just a slab of bone and meat with a bunch of useless wiggly things at the end.

Sometimes it helps to exercise the principles of DE:

I despise humanity

only because I always wanted to say so because it makes me look cool >:D

but if something irritates me it would be the fact that I personally have been adapted to the same behavior despite all the possibilities I see.

Yeah I zone out like that. It's a bit disconcerting when you are supposed to be in control of a vehicle :).


Yeah human anatomy in general doesn't hold up to much scrutiny. The more you look the weirder it seems. I guess that's why people get so lost in plastic surgery. They forget what real people look like.

I think this could come down to a cultural thing though. British people on the whole are very polite and expect it back although this sort of chivalry, if you will; is disappearing. We even thank our bus drivers for the journey even though it's their job. It's just how we are and YES we don't have to get a response but we generally do so when you don't it winds you up. It's not about gaining approval either, it's about respect and it feels like ignorance to me if someone doesn't acknowledge an act that you are doing for them even if it is trivial.

Bollocks then, I am slamming that door shut on you all now, mothers with prams, elderly with walking sticks - all of you.

The amount of times I have seen US programmes where no one says please or thank you when getting served winds me up so much but I guess it's not as important there? I am asking not stating BTW.

I meant when driving, although I guess it can apply to some people walking as well.

I always thank bus drivers/streetcar operators when I use them, as well. I even thank people who serve me my food, coffee, what have you, when I order it.

I've noticed that general impoliteness runs rampant among Americans. I am not saying that all are like that, but I have been across the border a few times even just to do some shopping (on a couple of occasions). Each time I noticed a stark difference in manners between Canadians and Americans, especially in terms of saying "thanks/thank you", "excuse me", "pardon/pardon me" (the worst alternative to that is HUH which is something they say a lot I think)... stuff like that.

haha, Yes this happens a lot. Always hilarious.

Well, despite the fact that I don't care if people don't thank me for things, I do thank others in the fashion that you're talking about. I say thank you to bus drivers and food servers, and even cab drivers as I hand them their money (plus tip) for doing their job. I think most Americans thank people who work in the service industry. I just didn't know that most get angry when their thanks isn't acknowledged.

Along those lines, I do have a pet peeve in this realm. When you thank somebody for something and instead of saying nothing or just giving a slight nod (both of which are totally acceptable to me), they say "Mhm" or "Sure" or "No Problem" or, god forbid, "No Worries". I'd much rather hear nothing than those meaningless words. I already know I wasn't creating a 'problem' or a 'worry' so just say "You're Welcome" or be humbly quiet.

Oh, really? I always say "no problem", it's like an informal laid-back version of "you're welcome" to me. I didn't know I was committing a faux pas there.

I think most people casually accept "no problem" but I personally think it sounds crude unless you've asked somebody to go above and beyond their normal call of duty in which case they may say "not at all" or something.
I guess it's generally acceptable as a laid back alternative to "you're welcome" in everyday life.
In a professional setting, however, saying "no problem" translates to "Dude, I'm still just a kid so this is the best way I know how to say you're welcome." So if you ever have a job where you regularly talk to clients that spend a lot of money on your services you'll quickly learn not to say "no problem" when they thank you.

I guess it's okay to use it informally, but not in a professional or academic atmosphere. Especially when dealing with customers or people who work with the company on the supply chain, etc. Sounds very immature to me.

Oh yeah derp, I meant that's what I say when I'm holding the door for someone and they say "Thanks" like out on the street. I'm not even in a professional environment yet, but I'll probably be more formal when I am.

That's TV not actual life. Most people I know (including myself) say please and thank you to waiters, cashiers, bus drivers, etc. and I live in one of the rudest cities in the country.

Going back to the original post, referencing the half-assed little jog people do when the pedestrian light is changing and they're going to cross the street at the last ****ing second:

Have you noticed the people who strut across the middle of the street, jaywalking, right at your car? Every single time I've seen these people, their jaw is set in steely determination, they're walking with confidence, but their eyes are super-alert, verging on terrified. Why the **** do they do it if it's freaking them out? Seriously? Do they think they look like a badass jaywalking across the street, like drivers are going to be like, "Oh, ****, that dude's a ****ing badass! Look at him strutting across this four lane road like a boss!"

Sort of related, but what about the guys who wear t-shirts in frigid temperatures, and remark at least once every thirty seconds that they're not cold? What the hell?

Ditto, but I live in the South. People are almost obscenely polite here. I'm the sort that keeps to myself, goes from point A to point B, does my business and that's that. I'll always say "please," and "thank you," and am always horribly respectful to others, generally calling everyone "ma'am" or "sir."

I'll tell you, though: If you have to break down somewhere, this is the place to do it. Every single person driving will stop and try to help you, offer their cell phone if yours isn't on you / is dead, try to jump your car, stare at your engine, help you change your tire...and, get this, they don't mug you either.

Have you tried to project this on real life? It gets quite funny sometimes :)

True to stereo-type, Mexicans use a lot of emphatic gestures when they talk, while as a Brit I barely move my hands out of my lap. Probably comes across to a Mexican as cold, unconvincing and dull.

What amuses me though is that even when they`re talking on the phone, Mexicans continue to use lots of gestures that are completely wasted because the guy on the other end can`t see them.

I'm not Mexican, but I'm hand gesture crazy. I work on the phone, so I have to look absolutely ridiculous when I'm on a call. The girl who sits next to me has commented on my excess of hand gestures on several occasions. I'm like Italian-level over-the-top with my hand gestures.

HA! That's an awesome bit. Really enjoyed it.

And you seriously should see my hand gestures when I'm repeating payment information. It's absolutely ridiculous. I apparently flail about like a crazy person.

Again, depends on culture/location. Here in jolly old Ireland we respond with things like "You're grand", "Not at all", "Not a problem" (different to "no problem"), "Sure why wouldn't I?" and others, depending on what the thanks is for. For instance, "Thanks for looking after my kid while I went to the dentist" could elicit the response "Sure why wouldn't I?" or "It's no problem" or "You're grand", whereas "Thanks for saving my life (!)" might get something more formal, like "You're welcome," or even very welcome.

Oh yeah, we also use this, which I know will bug/mystify people over there. It's not so much a thank-you, but a response nevertheless. If someone asks, for instance, "Can I borrow the salt off your table", we usually say "Work away." :D

We're polite in Ireland (mostly) to the point of stereotype!

Apart from the ignorant ****ers I spoke of in my original post, of course...

I drive my brother-in-laws half-brother to college because he is in my class and lives near me. They shared a Dad who has now passed away and he tells lies about his dads death to people in my class, saying he had cancer and various other illnesses. He also has told my friends he has a large house when he stays in a regular council house. I need to confront him about it but I'm not sure how. I'll probably snap when I can't take anymore and tell him to **** off.

Here's another for we pedestrians: why is it that you approach a zebra crossing, a car is coming and they ALWAYS SPEED UP as your foot goes on the crossing? What is it? Can they not wait like three seconds for me to cross, or is it that they see it as a challenge? I'm gonna flash by in my car before you can walk over, you little ****! I don't get it. Z/c are geared towards pedestrians and they ALWAYS have the right of way, so if you're in a car you're supposed to stop and let the guy walk over. Why don't drivers do this? The amount of times I've gone to walk across and the car feet away has just barrelled past, so that it's obvious the guy just put his foot down rather than wait.