Today I played hooky and called in sick. Last night, I felt angry and indignant at the cold weather, and I suspect this was a subconscious factor in my decision to stay home. To avoid completely wasting the day away, I woke up at noon and decided to pick up a package from the local post office, which is a 45 minute walk away from the house and a 5 minute drive. I settled on driving, which was a mistake for two reasons:
a) I have no insurance;
b) The car battery hasn't been keeping a charge.
To get the car started, I had to hook up the booster cables to the generator in the garage: No problem. Getting to the post office: No problem. Getting the package: No problem. Restarting the car: Problem. Finding somebody willing to help: PROBLEM.
"Uh, hello."
Person quickens pace.
"I was wondering if you had a couple of minutes to help me out."
In the post-game analysis, this was probably the crucial error. In Toronto, "Hello" already puts people on their guard. Following up with, "I was wondering if you had a couple of minutes..." sets alarm bells ringing, as this phrase, uttered in a parking lot, tends to be most associated with rabid evangelicals and Amway shills. "RUN AWAY!" I certainly would.
"My car battery is dead and I was wondering if you could help me with a boost."
In my selection of candidates, I chose people getting into their cars in my near vicinity. So I didn't discriminate in my selection, but I noticed I was predicting outcomes based on stereotypes. All of the candidates happened to be male. For a fun time, and to determine whether you're a racist like me, try matching the answer to the ethnicity:
a) "Sorry, I can't help you. My starter is having problems. If I boosted your car... Sorry."
b) "Sorry. I'm in a rush. I have to get my daughter to school."
c) Ignores me like I don't exist when I ask if he has a couple of minutes. Once it becomes clear that I'm asking for a car boost, utters something indecipherable and rude.
d) "I don't trouble myself with those things." (I like this one. It's like the fortune cookie of refusals)
e) "Sure, no problem."
Ethnicities (in no particular order):
- Black
Filipino
Chinese
Indian
Sri Lankan
The person who responds with the most correct answers will receive a prize.
11 comments:
Wow, this is amazing. Social experiments to the limit! My first guess was that you would be helped by your fellow Chinese person, but then if we're going by stereotypes, he was the most rude. Possibly tied with the Indian. My guess would be that the black guy helped you. If we're going with stereotypes, most asians (and south east asians) are considered rude or ignorant. So I choose the black guy. Him or Kit.
What made you venture out in the first place? Was it an electric twanger?
T'weren't no twanger. Twas some Japanese toys I ordered online.
I'll wait for a couple more comments before I give out the prize.
Your present answer is that Chinese guy answered c and Black guy answered e. I didn't know that we Chinee were considered so rude! I spit in your general direction. And I shit in your kitchen too!
Asians are considered rude and ignorant??
Whatever, racist! Ryan's a racist!
Okay. Teresa's guess is that Ryan is a racist.
Yesss! That means I win doesn't it? White = Right! MuhHaha!
Nobody got any correct answers! Everybody loses! I am the best! Yellow POWAH! Hollah!
With the risk of sounding racist, I'll answer these based on my own experiences.
A. Sri Lankan (Evasive maneuvers without sounding too rude.)
B. Chinese (I don't find Chinese all that rude, but some have used offspring as a means of escape.)
C. Filipino (I see the worst of them. My dad did just that once.)
D. Indian (Some of them talk like this.)
E. Black (He hit on me afterwards.)
Okay - I'm guessing
a) Chinese
b) Black
c) Filipino
d) Sri Lankan
e) Indian
at that last minute, I reversed the last two - hope it paid off...and I win what? An electric twanger from Ryan?
Well, it would appear that the winner is Ms. Revita! Thanks to everybody that participated and making this a success!
The Answers:
a) Indian
b) Chinese
c) Sri Lankan
d) Black
e) Filipino
Ms. Revita: Please don't hate yourself. You're a good people.
Anyhow, I'm going to call a short recess so that I can ready the fabulous prize.
Ryan's electric twanger?? Mandy is filthy!
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