What pisses you off?

[The Sav]

But teaching babies? What about the gang sign typos?

[CommunistaCow]

That is the very mentality that perpetuates the problem. For the very fact that you chose to have long hair most of your life, you are practicing a double-standard. From your statement, you made it clear that you are catering to appearantists. Their mentality is one of disclusion. If a person is made "uncomfortable" by another person's choice of appearance, it causes me to wonder how they are smart enough to need a contractor, anyway.

No offense Vako, but your freedom to pursue whatever look and lifestyle does not mean that a business has to adapt to your whims. One of the biggest problems we face in this country is how many people we have that attempt to bestow rights on choices. We all need to realize that a desire to wear your hair a certain way may bring about a diminished return, be it in the form of reduced employment opportunities or something else. However, part of the personal decision one makes to wear their hair a certain way should be an honest assessment of its value versus the potential risk.

I realize that this might appear to be an overly clinical way to go about life, but I'm not quite sure at what point that reveling in a Bohemian type existence ceases to have any positive value. Besides, you do have the freedom to start up any type of business you'd like, setting the standards as you see fit.

[off soapbox]

[Bill_Ryan]

Why the hell would you guys be against learning sign language? Anything that is educational, such as learning a new language, taking a class, or whatever, makes a person more well-rounded.

What the hell do you want to do? Play a new video game?

Jesus Christ, help us all.

I thought I made it pretty clear why. I'm not against learning Sign language. I am against it being taught before they accomplish teaching my kid what I PAID THEM TO TEACH. You see, Matrix Algebra, Pi and Integral Calculus and the like make all sorts of neat stuff possible, like planes flying, ambulances that don't break down all the time and the like. By any reasonable stretch of my imagination, Sign Language falls under "Elective" category - particularly when there aren't any deaf kids or kids with deaf parents in the class (or school at the moment). Since you're obviously not opposed to being condescending then you'll forgive my little high horse here. But to be perfectly honest, being well rounded is what, in my family, we call "Doing what you're supposed to do." If 'anything that's educational' is the standard in your house, that's your prerogative. But please spare me the lecture about the constructive use of time.

[Dr. P]

That is the very mentality that perpetuates the problem.

I don't necessarily see this as a "problem." If you were getting bids to have work done on your home, one crew had guys that looked like gangstas, one had skinheads, one had preppy boys, one had hippies, and another had blue collar types; I'm sure you would have leanings one way or another toward who you would choose. I work on filthy rich peoples' homes. Many have guest houses that cost more than my home and property. Some of the people who hire me are uptight and impossible to satisfy. More are as cool and genuine of folks as you'll ever meet, they just happen to be heart surgeons. As in any walk of life, there are are stereotypes, but the fact is they are just like the rest of us- building comfort is paramount. We have stellar refences, but the client has to be okay with a group of people being in their home (with their money, jewelry, wives, kids, panty hamper) while they are at work.

For the very fact that you chose to have long hair most of your life, you are practicing a double-standard.

My hair length has nothing to do with who I am as a person. I wasn't pressured to do it, nor did I do it reluctantly to make money. I remember like it was yesterday sitting in the barbers' chair and getting it sheared, but for the life of me, I can't recall why I decided to go short. I was ready to mix things up a little, I guess. It was long for over a freaking decade.

From your statement, you made it clear that you are catering to appearantists. Their mentality is one of disclusion. If a person is made "uncomfortable" by another person's choice of appearance, it causes me to wonder how they are smart enough to need a contractor, anyway.

It's the professional world. These people are far from dumb. I won't even get in to the education levels and how well-traveled they tend to be. So most of them never saw Iggy Pop live or read Chomsky, they're typically just like the rest of us.
And I wouldn't not hire a guy with long hair, btw. Everything matters. Just if all things were equal, I would hire the person who would make homeowners most comfortable to be in their homes. That's only common business sense.
I like you, Vako. I'm not trying to be obtuse here, just realized I hadn't taken the time to explain my earlier statements.

[uatu13]

1. Ignorant urban blacks (especially chicks named Shaniqua or Latisha with 98 kids) - I can't wait to get out of Chicago!
2. Hippies
3. Yuppies
4. People that think their religion should be yours and that it makes them special
5. People that try to make their sexual preferences your business and the business of society (I don't give a crap if you wear a dress and call yourself Nancy, but keep it to yourself)
6. Affirmative action and anyone that feels entitled because their great, great, great, grand-pappy was crapped on by society
7. Anyone that insists Bush isn't a inbred chimp in a suit
8. Actors that care about curing a disease only when their lazy ass gets it (Christopher Reeve, Michael J Fox, etc)
9. Reality TV
10. Current popular "music" (Rap, Titney Spears, burn the whole lot!)
11. Phil leaving Radio
12. Illegal immigrants that want to turn the US into their home country and refuse to learn English
13. Anyone that follows a political or social philosophy without thinking
14. People who drive SUV's and only live in the city
15. People that don't give a crap about the environment or animals
16. People that think a dude with long hair is weird, and don't mind yelling from a car as they drive by
17. Phil's rants about politics
18. Phil trying to act like an every-day guy even though he's a rich California yuppie
19. The hypocrisy of most women
20. That god-damn dancing banana, I'd like to paddle his fat behind with a car aerial while wearing half leather mask!

[Ratzenhofer]

I thought I made it pretty clear why. I'm not against learning Sign language. I am against it being taught before they accomplish teaching my kid what I PAID THEM TO TEACH. You see, Matrix Algebra, Pi and Integral Calculus and the like make all sorts of neat stuff possible, like planes flying, ambulances that don't break down all the time and the like. By any reasonable stretch of my imagination, Sign Language falls under "Elective" category - particularly when there aren't any deaf kids or kids with deaf parents in the class (or school at the moment). Since you're obviously not opposed to being condescending then you'll forgive my little high horse here. But to be perfectly honest, being well rounded is what, in my family, we call "Doing what you're supposed to do." If 'anything that's educational' is the standard in your house, that's your prerogative. But please spare me the lecture about the constructive use of time.

Ok, Bill. There will be no more lectures.

[Bill_Ryan]

Ok, Bill. There will be no more lectures.

Thanks

[Bill_Ryan]

1. Ignorant urban blacks (especially chicks named Shaniqua or Latisha with 98 kids) - I can't wait to get out of Chicago!
2. Hippies
3. Yuppies
4. People that think their religion should be yours and that it makes them special
5. People that try to make their sexual preferences your business and the business of society (I don't give a crap if you wear a dress and call yourself Nancy, but keep it to yourself)
6. Affirmative action and anyone that feels entitled because their great, great, great, grand-pappy was crapped on by society
7. Anyone that insists Bush isn't a inbred chimp in a suit
8. Actors that care about curing a disease only when their lazy ass gets it (Christopher Reeve, Michael J Fox, etc)
9. Reality TV
10. Current popular "music" (Rap, Titney Spears, burn the whole lot!)
11. Phil leaving Radio
12. Illegal immigrants that want to turn the US into their home country and refuse to learn English
13. Anyone that follows a political or social philosophy without thinking
14. People who drive SUV's and only live in the city
15. People that don't give a crap about the environment or animals
16. People that think a dude with long hair is weird, and don't mind yelling from a car as they drive by
17. Phil's rants about politics
18. Phil trying to act like an every-day guy even though he's a rich California yuppie
19. The hypocrisy of most women
20. That god-damn dancing banana, I'd like to paddle his fat behind with a car aerial while wearing half leather mask!

I don't agree with all of them, but I damn sure admire your politically incorrect point of view.

[uatu13]

Being politically correct is just another word for telling people not to speak their minds.

[RockinDonkey]

I hate monkeys because they like to fling poo.