primitives discuss first thoughts upon entering a room

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/111496

Oh my.

It's pretty boring over on Skins's island today.

Taverner (47,736 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

Guys - when you enter a room, is your first thought ever who you could take in the room?

That is, who, if you got into a fight, would you be able to best?

I never thought this way, but lots of guys I know do...

Warren DeMontague (32,671 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

2. No

...even when I was a drunken college student, that wasn't how I operated. I ran with an extremely mellow, hippie crowd. I was never the 'fight' type. I vividly remember one night in college; it stands out because usually everyone in the circles we ran in were ultra cool-- where some jarheads were trying to start a fight with one of my friends, probably over his long hair or some stupid shit.. I grabbed this guy; I'm sure he thought I was going to hit him-- and I pulled him outside; it was a beautiful summer night and you could see the Milky Way-- and pointing at the sky, I said something like "shut up. shut up. shut up and just LOOK. You're tiny. All the bullshit you think is so important- is tiny. How can you be so pissed off- about ANYTHING- when you're just a speck in this great ocean of beauty and mystery?"

Needless to say I was high as a kite at the time. I don't think it worked but no one got their ass kicked either, so maybe some of what I was saying got through to the guy.

I'm a relatively big guy.. but it's just not how I look at things, nor has it ever been my idea of a good time. I've definitely had friends like that; they'd get drunk and look for fights, while I'd be off chatting up the pretty girls.

stevedeshazer (21,283 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

3. Nope.

It's about who could kick the shit outta me, not the other way around.

Actually, that's franksolich's modus operendi too; one's not always as strong as one appears.

bemildred (59,920 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

5. I look at the girls first.

Mostly, with the guys, I would be checking whether any of them look like the sort that would be thinking about whether they could take me, with the idea of staying way the hell away from them. Long ago, I might have considered such questions as you propose, but I would have still been checking the women out first.

However, you are right, lots of guys do seem to think that way.

Upton (7,894 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

6. I look for the women..and who has the pot..

I'm not interested in fighting unless I'm challenged...then it becomes a necessary evil.

lumberjack_jeff (20,122 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

7. If I did, it would cause me to question my choice of rooms.

Rowdyboy (18,967 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

9. The last time I was in a fight I was 16 and Dick Nixon was a first term president....

When I enter a room, I look at the guys....but not to see who I could beat.

Yes, I've known guys who approached life that way, but not many and none since I was young back in the day.

Broken_Hero (58,416 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

10. nope

usually the first thing I scan for is the location of the bathroom.

Boston_Chemist (256 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

13. Nope. That is a juvenile mindset.

But I am a socially shy person. On the other hand, I am not particularly meek when it comes to confrontation. In that sense, I guess that what I do is interact with people with the purpose of sizing up their mental processes. Lots of analysis going on.

itsrobert (7,845 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

15. I don't know anyone who thinks like this

At least I don't think they think like this

Get some different friends, they seem unstable.

[catsmtrods]

He is a legend in his own mind ain't he! I bet whenever he leaves his moms basement he get his ass kicked!

I always think, I hope no one tries to do me harm cause I really don't want to kill someone, but I will if need be.

[GOBUCKS]

If DUmmy Taverner wants to fight, he'd better change over to meth or PCP.

A nodding, near-comatose heroin junkie like Taverner doesn't make much of a warrior.

[JohnnyReb]

My first thoughts when I enter a room are, "Who do I shoot first?"
















NOT. Wonder if the DUmmie will look this far down before running swimming for the island?

[franksolich]

My first thoughts when I enter a room are, "Who do I shoot first?"

Actually, while many of the limp-wristed "guy" primitives have a problem with this, I always think it's a good idea to size people up if one doesn't know them......and especially to rate them as to the likelihood they can beat one up.

Of course, I'm in a different world than most people; to me, most introductions are abrupt and a surprise, because I get no audiological clues as to what's up.  To me, most people just suddenly appear out of nowhere, as if out of thin air, but really, it's because I can't hear them.

It's a very good thing I'm usually wearing brown pants.

And of course when it comes to complete strangers in the middle of the night--the cats act up, or a light gets turned on, indicating to me mischief's afoot--it's mandatory to have this mind-set: is this somebody I can handle?

Fortunately, it's always pleased God that it is, or was.

[Tucker]

To lurking DUmmies:

I don't worry about who can kick my as as I'm armed where ever I go. Assault is a valid reason to put the assailant at room temperature.

[zeitgeist]

Actually, while many of the limp-wristed "guy" primitives have a problem with this, I always think it's a good idea to size people up if one doesn't know them......and especially to rate them as to the likelihood they can beat one up.

Of course, I'm in a different world than most people; to me, most introductions are abrupt and a surprise, because I get no audiological clues as to what's up.  To me, most people just suddenly appear out of nowhere, as if out of thin air, but really, it's because I can't hear them.

It's a very good thing I'm usually wearing brown pants.

And of course when it comes to complete strangers in the middle of the night--the cats act up, or a light gets turned on, indicating to me mischief's afoot--it's mandatory to have this mind-set: is this somebody I can handle?

Fortunately, it's always pleased God that it is, or was.

Just a curious question, do you have motion detector switches?  My late father in law was deaf and we installed a door bell with a strobe for him. As he aged we also installed a key safe for the door, an alert one call system, and motion switches. 

[franksolich]

Just a curious question, do you have motion detector switches?  My late father in law was deaf and we installed a door bell with a strobe for him. As he aged we also installed a key safe for the door, an alert one call system, and motion switches.

No, because I only rent the place, and besides, all these safety gadgets are just that.....gadgets, working only in limited fixed environments (such as inside a room--what if one is outside, or in another room?).

The cats do a reasonably good job, but as soon as they (naturally) die off, I'll pick up a couple of unwanted mutts from the local veterinary and train them to "hear" for me. 

As I adapted to this almost from birth--being rudely surprised by phenomenons that for me come out from nowhere, whereas hearing people pick up clues that they're there--I'm pretty much used to it.

[Vagabond]

I've never worried about that.  Not because I'm some Billy badass looking for a fight, but for the simple fact that it doesn't take much to disable a knee and all men are the same size on the ground.  If someone has something to prove, I try and stay away from them.

Generally, I'm told that I am well recieved in a room.  In my experience, it's pretty easy to ascertain a person's interests and have a short discussion with them on their terms.

[LC EFA]

See - This is another reason why these idiots can't make or keep friends.

The first thing *I* do when I enter the room is to ponder the location of the booze , boobies and snacks.

[USA4ME]

I look to see if I know anyone in the room.  I must be crazy or something!!

.

[I_B_Perky]

Depends on where the room is. If it is at the house, first thing I usually think of is "what did I come in here to get/do?".

 

[LC EFA]

Depends on where the room is. If it is at the house, first thing I usually think of is "what did I come in here to get/do?".

 

If the answer to the above deviates from Booze , boobies or snacks then it was clearly unimportant. 

[I_B_Perky]

If the answer to the above deviates from Booze , boobies or snacks then it was clearly unimportant. 

 Booze, boobies and butts. It's what's for dinner.   

[diesel driver]

Being 6'2" tall and 245 pounds, I never worry about shit like that.    tavener

Taverner (47,736 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

Guys - when you enter a room, is your first thought ever who you could take in the room?

What do you do if you enter a room, and thought there isn't ANYONE in that room you could "take"?

I bet that happens a lot to you, oh Tavener of the small penis.   

[I_B_Perky]

Being 6'2" tall and 245 pounds, I never worry about shit like that. 

Shorty.  Fat one too.   


6'3" and 210 here. 

[diesel driver]

Shorty.  Fat one too.   


6'3" and 210 here. 

HEY!

I resemble that remark!!!!   

At least you didn't say I was OLD! 

[franksolich]

Being 6'2" tall and 245 pounds, I never worry about shit like that.    tavener

What do you do if you enter a room, and thought there isn't ANYONE in that room you could "take"?

I bet that happens a lot to you, oh Tavener of the small penis.   

Alas, 6'3" but only circa 175 here.

And ooops, you reminded me of something.

I mentioned that I always eye a stranger trying to decipher if I can handle him if there's trouble.

It just makes sense, when one doesn't know what the other guy's up to.

Three years ago, about 1:30 in the morning, when I was sleeping, someone turned on the light in the kitchen, waking me up.

I got up to see what was going on.

It was a guy in his late 20s, who apparently was hollering (but I didn't hear it) asking if someone was home.

He was drunk, so yeah, I could handle him.

Actually, he was harmless; his car had broken down, and he needed to borrow a couple of tools to set it right again.  The neighbor and the property caretaker keep their tools in locked chests in the garage; I gave him the keys to one of them which I knew had what he needed, and reminded him to return them when he was done (of course I collected his name, address, and telephone number).

In the morning, the tools were on the dining room table, with the key.

Some months later, this same guy, who works for a steel company in the big city and makes tons of money, came to me to have his income taxes done (and has come here since)--I'd been recommended by one of his co-workers.

Oddly, he doesn't seem to recall our first encounter, which surely should have made some sort of impression, even though he was drunk, given that I was in the altogether at the time.

[diesel driver]

Alas, 6'3" but only circa 175 here.

And ooops, you reminded me of something.

I mentioned that I always eye a stranger trying to decipher if I can handle him if there's trouble.

It just makes sense, when one doesn't know what the other guy's up to.

Three years ago, about 1:30 in the morning, when I was sleeping, someone turned on the light in the kitchen, waking me up.

I got up to see what was going on.

It was a guy in his late 20s, who apparently was hollering (but I didn't hear it) asking if someone was home.

He was drunk, so yeah, I could handle him.

Actually, he was harmless; his car had broken down, and he needed to borrow a couple of tools to set it right again.  The neighbor and the property caretaker keep their tools in locked chests in the garage; I gave him the keys to one of them which I knew had what he needed, and reminded him to return them when he was done (of course I collected his name, address, and telephone number).

In the morning, the tools were on the dining room table, with the key.

Some months later, this same guy, who works for a steel company in the big city and makes tons of money, came to me to have his income taxes done (and has come here since)--I'd been recommended by one of his co-workers.

Oddly, he doesn't seem to recall our first encounter, which surely should have made some sort of impression, even though he was drunk, given that I was in the altogether at the time.

He probably didn't recognize you with your clothes on.   

[I_B_Perky]

Alas, 6'3" but only circa 175 here.

And ooops, you reminded me of something.

I mentioned that I always eye a stranger trying to decipher if I can handle him if there's trouble.

It just makes sense, when one doesn't know what the other guy's up to.

Three years ago, about 1:30 in the morning, when I was sleeping, someone turned on the light in the kitchen, waking me up.

I got up to see what was going on.

It was a guy in his late 20s, who apparently was hollering (but I didn't hear it) asking if someone was home.

He was drunk, so yeah, I could handle him.

Actually, he was harmless; his car had broken down, and he needed to borrow a couple of tools to set it right again.  The neighbor and the property caretaker keep their tools in locked chests in the garage; I gave him the keys to one of them which I knew had what he needed, and reminded him to return them when he was done (of course I collected his name, address, and telephone number).

In the morning, the tools were on the dining room table, with the key.

Some months later, this same guy, who works for a steel company in the big city and makes tons of money, came to me to have his income taxes done (and has come here since)--I'd been recommended by one of his co-workers.

Oddly, he doesn't seem to recall our first encounter, which surely should have made some sort of impression, even though he was drunk, given that I was in the altogether at the time.

Oh he remembers it Frank. He's probably hoping you don't... and if you do, that you won't say anything about it.   

[Bodadh]

Alas, 6'3" but only circa 175 here.

And ooops, you reminded me of something.

I mentioned that I always eye a stranger trying to decipher if I can handle him if there's trouble.

It just makes sense, when one doesn't know what the other guy's up to.

Three years ago, about 1:30 in the morning, when I was sleeping, someone turned on the light in the kitchen, waking me up.

I got up to see what was going on.

It was a guy in his late 20s, who apparently was hollering (but I didn't hear it) asking if someone was home.

He was drunk, so yeah, I could handle him.

Actually, he was harmless; his car had broken down, and he needed to borrow a couple of tools to set it right again.  The neighbor and the property caretaker keep their tools in locked chests in the garage; I gave him the keys to one of them which I knew had what he needed, and reminded him to return them when he was done (of course I collected his name, address, and telephone number).

In the morning, the tools were on the dining room table, with the key.

Some months later, this same guy, who works for a steel company in the big city and makes tons of money, came to me to have his income taxes done (and has come here since)--I'd been recommended by one of his co-workers.

Oddly, he doesn't seem to recall our first encounter, which surely should have made some sort of impression, even though he was drunk, given that I was in the altogether at the time.

DUDE! You need to move or lock your doors! Really. In my 41 years I have NEVER had people I do not know stumbleing around my home late at night. Hell, I have never even had people I DO know letting them selves in. ( Only one break in about 10 years ago.)You seem to have a guest every week.

[franksolich]

DUDE! You need to move or lock your doors! Really. In my 41 years I have NEVER had people I do not know stumbling around my home late at night. Hell, I have never even had people I DO know letting them selves in. (Only one break in about 10 years ago.) You seem to have a guest every week.

Not every week; this was three years ago.

And with this unusually mild winter we've been having, it hasn't happened at all.

Unhappily, I probably will be moving around the end of the year, because when the (R)s re-take the White House and happy days are dawning again, the owners will be able to afford tearing this place down and putting up three or four riverside cabins for their descendants.

The house is falling apart, and it was "jerry-built" to begin with.  It's no "architectural treasure," but rather many pieces cobbled together 1890-1940 as the family prospered (they always put their money into inventory--pigs, and then cattle--rather than into ostentatious living).  It has locks, but a child could break in, so no point.

It's the only house for miles around, and a haven for those caught in inclement weather.

And thus my unique predicament; being deaf, I don't know if someone's knocking on the door, and I'd get somewhat, uh, discombobulated finding the body of someone frozen or snowed to death on the front porch.

It's a risk, but life is a risk.  Best to take one's chances so no one perishes.

[franksolich]

I need to add, for the reassurance of Badadh:

There isn't anything in here but thrift-store furniture anyway; nothing worthwhile stealing.

The irreplaceable "family stuff" is kept in locked storage in town, the valuables in a large bank safe-deposit box, and the legal and financial records in the safe of a faraway automotive dealership.

I always liked living this way; in case of disaster, all it'd take is a couple of minutes to collect the cats and toss them into the motor vehicle, and leave, leaving nothing of any value behind.

[Tucker]

Damn Frank. Your home went through a major remodeling job from its state a few days ago.

[franksolich]

Damn Frank. Your home went through a major remodeling job from its state a few days ago.

You mean from this:

I think I posted this on the kpete thread, where she'd been found out.