How would you handle this insulting anti-gun comment from a coworker?

[Lopro]

Whenever I am confronted with that kind of crap, I put a look on my face that says I'm taking this quite seriously, and ask: why would I do that? It puts them on the defensive, and almost always exposes their true intention.

+1 Works very well takes the ball out of their court every time : )

 

[fubar]

Kind of beat me to it , but :

" Why would you say such a terrible thing to me ? Do you really think I am some kind of a monster ? I thought we were friends. Unless that was supposed to be funny somehow. But in light of what real monsters have done to children recently I think your sense of humor is cruel and callous. You wouldnt say that to the Mothers of Snady Hook , would you ? I am so disappointed in you. Please dont talk to me anymore."

 

[frenchman]

Having a PHD means she is a specialist at something. According to my old sergeant(RIP) specialists are great at feeding the chicken, but too dumb to collect the eggs.

 

[BostonBullit]

These are the people I deal with in an academic setting.


"So what are you doing this weekend?"

"The usual. There's a match on Sunday."

"You're really into guns, huh?"

"Sort of, I'm into competing, practicing a lot to try and improve."

"It's good that you're channeling your energy in a positive way, not going out into the streets and shooting people, ha ha."

"Yea I know right? judge made it very clear that I only got away with that because I was so young so not doing THAT again! so what you doing for lunch today, I'm thinking chipolte..."

see my in-line edits for future conversions of this nature.

 

[RHJJ]

You can have a PhD and still be a complete idiot

You can be the president of The USA and be a complete idiot.

 

[josh2600]

Having a PHD means she is a specialist at something. According to my old sergeant(RIP) specialists are great at feeding the chicken, but too dumb to collect the eggs.

There it is.

 

[Nicole]

I swear some get married so they have someone who can help them tie their shoes.

My shoes have zippers!

I agree with the people recommending pushback. Her comment was rude and displays a disdain and prejudice that she probably isn't even aware of. You shouldn't be embarrassed, SHE should be embarrassed. Make her realize the meaning of what she said. Let a little injury or indignation show.

 

[Neverknowsbest]

Respond: I only do that on Sundays.... by the way what are you up to this Sunday?

 

[Twigg]

This is the reason I don't socialise at work.

I show up, attend to my business, keep my nose out of everyone elses' and then I go home.

My employer loves me.

 

[Realtor MA]

Granted that was not a great comment but think of the positives. The person obviously isn't an anti, they're fine with the op shooting, competing and owning guns. Why the big backlash. Just tell the person that you know they're joking but with all the bad press and all the threats to 2a you don't think it's funny. I'm sure they'll get it. Then take them shooting!!

 

[caboose84]

BS- bull shit
MS- more shit
PHD- Piled high n deep

 

[StevieP]

Sounds like an opportunity to school this PhD on the meaning of "psychological projection" and ask why they want to go out into the streets and shoot people.

 

[bill o]

Sounds like an opportunity to school this PhD on the meaning of "psychological projection" and ask why they want to go out into the streets and shoot people.

She's a psychologist! I'd be way out of my league.

 

[Skylineracer329]

She has a PhD. I guess there are different dimensions of stupid?

One of my favorite Lewis black quotes is "you had to have gone to college to say something that stupid"

 

[knoxy]

Just leave it at "Why would you even joke about that?" and accept the fact that she's an ignorant **** that isn't as smart as she thinks she is.

 

[TY43215]

This actually happened to me once. My answer was:

" Do you realize how ignorant that was?"

No reply

"If you ever really want to see what I do on weekends, you are welcome to come."

Eventually the "Doc" took me up on it and actually had a good time.



For the record:

Education does NOT = common sense and people skills

 

[Dench]

These are the people I deal with in an academic setting.


"So what are you doing this weekend?"

"The usual. There's a match on Sunday."

"You're really into guns, huh?"

"Sort of, I'm into competing, practicing a lot to try and improve."

"It's good that you're channeling your energy in a positive way, not going out into the streets and shooting people, ha ha."

"Um, that had never occurred to me."

I think you handled that fine.

 

[xero2099]

I would offer to take her shooting if she is cute you can kill two birds with one stone... get a date and change someones perspective

 

[center442]

I know a lot of people with PHDs. A large number of them, in the academic community especially, are super intelligent while laking common sense. They can split the atom but not be able to see the world at ground level with any degree of logic. Do not grant any special consideration for a person with a PHD until they show you that they are open minded tonideas outside if their own view if the wirld. Some become so knowledgeable in one area that other areas may not fully develop. Singular minded and not well rounded. However it needs to be articulated, I know too many who fall right in step with that assessment.

When I was growing up I would often hear my father refer to people like that as 'educated dummies.' My Dad is long gone now, but his phrase lives on.

Here's to you, Dad. I often wish you were still here so I could tell you how right you were back when I was too stupid to listen.

 

[taz-2005]

A look of derision is in order and nothing else.

 

[mikeyp]

My shoes have zippers!

I've seen plenty of your posts to know you have common sense

 

[AlwaysBeClosing]

no offense intended to the sane psychologists of the world...but...

a doctorate in psychology requires only money and the capability to communicate. for example, clinical psych is a mixed bag. lots of fruit bats will pay $125k to some shadey schools to academically explore their personal problems.

if she is clinical psych, she may enjoy going to the range - it'll give her a new opportunity for some navel-gazing and an unbeatable dinner party topic.

 

[KH56010]

People like that are just looking to start an argument. Best thing to do has already been recommended a couple of times. Turn it around on them and act like you've just been offended. Stops them dead in their tracks. I have a friend who's the same way, literally the smartest person I know and is going for something crazy like a 3rd bachelor's degree. He's like a human calculator. Also "feels" I don't need guns because "It's not like you would stand a chance against a drone strike anyways" He'd also most likely Cower Strong.

Most of those people hates guns because they understand how easily they'd become a victim to their own abuse of power. Like the ones who say "I don't want a gun because I wouldn't want to go to jail for shooting the next guy who cut me off in traffic" That's not a society problem or a law problem. That's his problem, that guy admits that he gets drunk with power. Just like everyone in office.

 

[reeldog]

+1 Works very well takes the ball out of their court every time : )

+1 add "Are you okay?"

 

[reeldog]

+1 Works very well takes the ball out of their court every time : )

+1 Why would you ask that? add "Are you okay?"

 

[PaulD]

She's a psychologist! I'd be way out of my league.

All the more reason to point out how rude and insulting the comment is.

I would also offer to take her to the range. Take pics for us if she's not ugly.

 

[Glockster30]

She has a PhD. I guess there are different dimensions of stupid?

Many people with a PhD have a lot of book sense, but lack common sense.

 

[Duxprep]

Punch her in the clam. Then offer to take her to the range

 

[Laderbuilt]

These are the people I deal with in an academic setting.


"So what are you doing this weekend?"

"The usual. There's a match on Sunday."

"You're really into guns, huh?"

"Sort of, I'm into competing, practicing a lot to try and improve."

"It's good that you're channeling your energy in a positive way, not going out into the streets and shooting people, ha ha."

"Um, that had never occurred to me."

Good reply to to the "shooting people"comment

No not today that's happening tomorrow oh and what time can I come over?

 

[n1bsbri]

Next Friday's conversation should go like this:

Originally Posted by bill o
"So what are you doing this weekend?"
[STRIKE=.]"Nothing."[/STRIKE]"Am I free to go?"

FIFY - you're welcome.