I've decided that I just can't handle dumb people. I don't mean the kind who can't help it; I mean the kind who are completely ignorant because they want to be that way. You know the ones I'm talking about: spouting off political or religious beliefs that they've heard on television or the radio, with no sense of what they're saying or the impact they may be having. Or, the ones who think they know everything about everything and want to tell everyone all about it. A little bit of humility, please. They talk more than they listen; they proselytize more than they practice; and they are usually loud, the only one heard in a room of thirty. I know you know the ones I'm talking about. Maybe you're that person. The one who always has a comment or a dumb question (yes, there are dumb questions); the one who doesn't listen in a meeting and asks someone to repeat something they just said two minutes ago. They irritate me. I'm not very nice when I'm irritated, though I have learned (most times anyway) to hold my tongue. If you know someone like this, and I know you do, start with a dirty stare the next time they're filling the room with something warm and gooey. If the stare doesn't work, an immediate change of topic will sometimes do. In the case where the person REALLy doesn't get a hint (and a lot of these people don't) it will sometimes take a very sarcastic comment to get them to quiet down. As a last resort, you may have to pull them aside and let them know they're making a fool of themself (because telling them that they are annoying you, and everyone else, will only make them defensive and get them riled up all over again) and that it might be better just to listen for a little while.
And if, by chance, you are that annoying, loud, ignorant person, beware: we laugh at you behind your back and make fun of all the ridiculous things you say. We know you're not intelligent, your mind's behind the way. We like you as a person (soemtimes), and tolerate your fluff. But should you do it one more time, expect to get it stuffed!
