  Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 658 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 209.69.221.253 |
Some things I don't understand about Detroit. Walking down the middle of the street: Why do people choose not to use the sidewalk and instead walk directly down the middle of the road? Interminable, compulsive spending and wheedling at the counter: Why do people choose to select items down to the last penny when at the party store, adding items on, getting new totals, then finding that a nickel or two is left to spend, adding another item, and then demanding cups, matches, bags, etc.? Only responding to official requests after an uncooperative silence: At court, how come people don't say, "Here," when their name is called, instead waiting for their name to be called several times and then responding in a mumble? When my name was called, I said right away, "Here," and people laughed at me. That's OK, I am kind of a tight-ass, and I can take being the butt of a joke, but anybody want to let me in on the gag? I guess you could just as easily ask me why I walk on the sidewalk, why I have my money out when I'm five people back in line, and why I respond right away to a roll call. But, that said, does anybody have any theories about all this? | ||
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj Post Number: 140 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 63.171.81.130 |
LAY-Z | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 621 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 71.213.230.209 |
Maintaining the authenticity...? | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 6860 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 208.27.111.125 |
Why do we base the quality of a Chinese restaurant by how many saltines they give you? | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 893 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 209.131.7.190 |
keeping it real, yo. | ||
Lakesuperior Member Username: Lakesuperior Post Number: 134 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.77.170.94 |
maybe it's the same reason a woman dumped her whole ashtray out of the window of her car at woodward and holbrook yesterday? her kids were in the car too... | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10594 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226 |
1. I've caught myself doing this many times while out walking. The simple answer would be that the sidewalks in many areas are busted to shit, over grown, have trees overgrown blocking your path, have broken glass all over the place, or have long since been torn up and all that exists is grass where a sidewalk used to be. It's easier to just walk down the road. 2. You ever thought that maybe they have a certain amount of items they WISH to buy, but are unsure if they have enough money? They get to the register, see the total, then add items accordingly until every penny is spent. 3. You said "here" in court during role call? LMAO! That's an awefully short list, you just move here or something? | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 190 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 63.85.13.248 |
DUH People walk down the middle of the street because it is the easiest place not to get jumped. Did you not grow up in the City??? People have the annoying trait of spending every nickle where ever there are large pockets of poverty. To assume that this is based upon race or culture is offensive. Simply put many low income people have no one to model their spending habits by. | ||
Stecks77 Member Username: Stecks77 Post Number: 67 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 129.9.163.106 |
"Does that make me crazy? Does that make me crazy?..." | ||
Tarkus Member Username: Tarkus Post Number: 88 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 69.222.98.86 |
I like how you tell someone the price for something, whether it's a service or for an item and then they dicker with you. You see the price thats what it is. (Message edited by tarkus on September 14, 2006) | ||
Stecks77 Member Username: Stecks77 Post Number: 68 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 129.9.163.106 |
(quote) "Simply put, many low income people have no one to model their spending habits by." 1. Diddy 2. Kwame 3. Pro Athletes in general 4. "Cribs" on MTV 5. "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" The models are out there, unfortunatley they're all negative in pop culture. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 659 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 209.69.221.253 |
Supersport, Detroitplanner, Good responses so far. Thanks. I have lived in the city for about four years and longer before that, so I am not new to the area. Also, I'm making an effort not to base this on race or culture. I'm just seeing what goes on around me in Detroit, and I don't get it. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 801 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.96.231.230 |
Walking in the roadway where sidewalks are provided is a ticketable Detroit Ordinance violation. I don't suppose it's enforced much any more. What I hate about party stores is I'll buy something costing 2.95, pay with a crisp twenty, and get a wad of dirty, crumpled up ones in change. I think some people keep their currency in their shoes. On the other hand, that's not too dumb a move, though. | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 474 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 68.60.181.41 |
I worked in retail in Detroit for many years, and you do not want to know where people keep their cash. Wash your hands when handling money. Frequently. | ||
Hockey_player Member Username: Hockey_player Post Number: 249 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 207.148.213.218 |
Quote: "Why do people choose to select items down to the last penny when at the party store, adding items on, getting new totals, then finding that a nickel or two is left to spend, adding another item, and then demanding cups, matches, bags, etc.?" I've been fascinated by this forever, as it is almost universal in Detroit. I honestly think they don't have the mental skills to compute in the abstract how much something costs in relation to how much money they have. It's as if each time they are given change an entirely new reality opens up and they need to reassess all possible purchasing options. I watch their reactions as they're given change and the look on their faces suggests they are completely surprised by whatever amount is now in their hands. Not only is there an inability to do math, but the concept of savings is never in play. Every last penny must be spent at that moment on whatever is available. There's no thought of deferred pleasure for something greater in the future attainable through savings, only successive calculations of what may be purchased right now, down to single cigarettes or packs of gum. | ||
Paulmcall Member Username: Paulmcall Post Number: 44 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 68.40.119.216 |
Some people like to keep it real ...stupid. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10598 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226 |
So what was it, once seven years? | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 586 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 65.185.132.134 |
How come if you have to go to the bank (and go inside to a tellers window) on the 3rd of the month or the 17th, there are tons of people lined up to cash their gub-ment check, and when the teller mentions that the whole process would be much easier for them (the payee)if they had an account with said financial institution, the same four shitty excuses for not having or starting an account come out of each and every mouth? I believe this is what my grandma used to call "no-accounts" | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 660 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 209.69.221.253 |
Grew up in Dearborn 1970-1988, lived in Hamtramck/Detroit 1989-1991, then lived in Detroit for the last four years. | ||
Chub Member Username: Chub Post Number: 382 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.246.28.200 |
You don't have to prove anything to Supersport or Detroitplanner. It doesn't matter how long you've lived here. Either way, anyone with a brain can tell that many residents of this city do very fucked up things and they have been doing these things for a long time. Sadly, they'll pass it down to their children as well. (Message edited by chub on September 14, 2006) | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 661 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 209.69.221.253 |
Thanks, Chub. It's fair turn-about, I guess. I want to know something, other people wonder what motivates the question and how I could not know the answer. That said, I'm admitting my ignorance up-front. I find this behavior baffling. I'll say this about that court date, though. When we finally got to the judge, it was so late in the day he started giving out fines without points just to move it along, so maybe it helped that people were uncooperative and slowed it all down. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10600 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226 |
Listen here Chubba Helms, I was under the impression that he had to submit his street creds, is this no longer the case? | ||
Janesback Member Username: Janesback Post Number: 90 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.152.248.31 |
"Also, I'm making an effort not to base this on race or culture. I'm just seeing what goes on around me in Detroit, and I don't get it." ------------------------------ ------------------ Actually, the culture has a lot to do with the way people perceive things as well as act. Look at the latest numbers in dealing with "single -parent households", and tell me this doesnt have an impact on children and the way they see and handle situations when they grow up. The father isnt there to educate their children, the mother is working and unable to show kids between right and wrong. Some one earlier posted that had they done this when they were young, their bottoms would have been warmed, and their ice cream tossed..... Also, The number of prisons are increasing, the number of high school graduates is decreasing, the number of children being born out of wedlock is increasing. Fathers are now bragging about having multiple children, yet arent in the picture when their children need them. More immigrants come to this country today, not wanting to give up their culture, their language, but expect to get a good paying job so they can send money back to their families in countries they left. Look at the problems with immigration today, a number one problem... You are wrong in your statement that it doesnt involve race and culture, but I can understand, because you dont want to be labeled a racist. That is why you were careful not to ruffle any feathers when you posted. I m sure I will get a few comments, but again, I am posting the truth | ||
Chub Member Username: Chub Post Number: 383 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.246.28.200 |
Listen here SS, you don't need street cred to see that people are not doing things to better themselves or their enviorment. | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 191 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 63.85.13.248 |
Jane in all of your rant you never once said anything about spending habits. That is what nerd was getting at. What annoys me: The 'portable' basketball hoops that are not set up in driveways or yards. Thats where we used to play growing up and we stayed out of people's way. Heck it has to cost more for those portable things than just attaching a backboard and a hoop to your garage! | ||
Janesback Member Username: Janesback Post Number: 91 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.152.248.31 |
Detroitplanner, you are correct. I had read the article about "litter in Detroit", then this one. Apologies to the forum on mixing up the two. Jane | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 423 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.246.19.24 |
And you don't need no blog to prove that you've got street cred. | ||
Firefly Member Username: Firefly Post Number: 86 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 198.30.81.2 |
"I like how you tell someone the price for something, weather it's a service or for an item and then they dicker with you. You see the price thats what it is." I like how sometimes you can't tell the difference between the WEATHER...WHETHER you live up North or down South. | ||
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch Post Number: 1854 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 208.44.117.10 |
Has any father ever bragged to you about having multiple children and then not being in the picture? | ||
Firefly Member Username: Firefly Post Number: 87 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 198.30.81.2 |
"What I hate about party stores is I'll buy something costing 2.95, pay with a crisp twenty, and get a wad of dirty, crumpled up ones in change. " That's why I use my debit card for all transactions. | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 342 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.60.139.212 |
Detroitnerd, I highly recommend that you read A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne. She explains the "hidden rules" of generational poverty, middle-class, and wealth and how these rules affect the behavior of all of us and our reactions to the behavior of others. | ||
Dtown1 Member Username: Dtown1 Post Number: 135 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 70.229.255.110 |
Now something I was mentioning way bakc in the other blogs is being brought up. Yall just dont like me because I told the truth. Its laziness and the drugs and alcohol. Most detroiters dont even have a college degree. (particulary the later genereations). Detroiters can count, they just act the way they act becuase they think its cool. Their being blindsided by all the fads and coolness and not seeing the reality of things. I give everyone a jail in some prison and everyone will straigthen up. | ||
Janesback Member Username: Janesback Post Number: 92 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.152.248.31 |
"Now something I was mentioning way bakc in the other blogs is being brought up. Yall just dont like me because I told the truth. Its laziness and the drugs and alcohol. " ------------------------------ ------------------------ Dtown1, I dont think people dislike you for posting the truth, I think the truth is something people dont like to face. Accountability was the issue I was talking about as well as the culture of people, and how they raise their famiies. Look at Seattle, look at the education level and the housing. I think Microsoft is one of the biggest employers in the city. Look at the crime rates of that city, and compare it to others. Numbers speak shear volumes. Im sure its upsetting to some, but its factual. ........ | ||
Dtown1 Member Username: Dtown1 Post Number: 137 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 70.229.255.110 |
Basically, Any family from 1980 can plead, it wasnt nothing like it is today from the families to the environment, and that crack and cocaine did start coming out after 1981 and their like mind control for evil. | ||
Tarkus Member Username: Tarkus Post Number: 89 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 68.43.115.231 |
Sorry firefly, it has been corrected. | ||
Dhugger Member Username: Dhugger Post Number: 77 Registered: 03-2005 |
1. I used to walk in the middle of the street for safety...LOL right. In the 80's when the city was under populated people can't hide so easy in the street. Why do suburbinites run & ride bikes in the street when they have perfectly maintained sidewalks? 2. When one has a dollar or two to spend one tends to be tight with the remaining nickles & dimes. Plus their may be some illiteracy issues regarding the money handling. Practice compassion | ||
Pistonian_revolution Member Username: Pistonian_revolution Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2006 |
so why does it have to be about DETROIT, detroitnerd??!?!?! you think you're making this incredibly astute observation about the ways of detroiters with no basis. do ALL detroiters walk in the street and lazily respond in court?? about 90% of your observations are also based in judgements and lack of information- no fact. why dont you move to another city and make vast generalizations about their people instead of trying to find something wrong with the way that poor detroiters behave. and i dont buy that you're just innocently remarking on what you've noticed in detroit. you were commenting as if there were something wrong with their behavior in your view. i doubt that detroit is the only municipality in the world in which people haggle w/money, walk in the street, and do other things. you're just another idiot who finds any reason he can to badmouth detroiters and detroit. and living in detroit doesnt give you any credibility or license to criticize. you are still just as prejudiced. so get a flippin life! you talk like a jackass! and furthermore you start stupid threads. | ||
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker Post Number: 730 Registered: 02-2004 |
interesting how the newbies seem to be attacking you Detroitnerd? | ||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 229 Registered: 07-2005 |
When you have change, and you're tight on money, you save it. I think what Detroitnerd was asking if there was anything beneath the surface on why people do those things. Things that he (or I, or most people) don't understand might have a real reason that we just don't see. I also don't see why someone would need to live in Detroit (which actually means a ghettohood, since if you live in a nice area then you aren't *really* a Detroiter, at least to some people here) to ask why. Suburbanites ride bikes in the street because that's techinically where you're supposed to ride them, although I think the sidewalk is better. I'd personally be afraid of riding them in the street. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 662 Registered: 07-2004 |
Yeah, Steelworker. I think I struck a nerve with Pistonian. For what it's worth, Pistonian, I'm not saying all Detroiters walk in the street. I'm not trying to make vast generalizations about all Detroiters . (I was surprised by the near-unanimous recalcitrance in court, though.) I can see why you'd be sensitive, too. There are so many white guys who delight in saying, "I know this isn't politically correct, but ... [insert disingenous 'observation' here]" After a while, it's hard to take somebody seriously when they say they're out of their depth. I've lived in different places and know that when I see something happening over and over again, it doesn't come out of a vacuum. There's some reason, or there are some reasons. And that's what I am trying to figure out. One thing I've learned, though: If somebody is convinced you are prejudiced, there's seldom anything you can say to convince them otherwise. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10604 Registered: 10-2003 |
There was this episode of Springer back in the day... | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 476 Registered: 02-2004 |
I was born and raised in Detroit, and when I was a teenager in Detroit, we walked in the middle of the street. I don't know why, everybody just did. Maybe cause we could walk abreast (I usually traveled with two to three girlfriends at a time). And don't make abreast jokes. You know what I mean! (you dirty dirty people) | ||
Chub Member Username: Chub Post Number: 384 Registered: 11-2003 |
As a kid, if my parents ever caught me walking in the middle of the street, I'd get told not to do that again and to always walk on the sidewalk. Strangely, if I rode a bike or skateboard in the street, that was ok in my parents eyes. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 464 Registered: 02-2006 |
Run? I don't know. But riding bikes on the sidewalk is often illegal, as much as I dislike that law. | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 425 Registered: 06-2005 |
Why not ride bikes on sidewalks? Pedestrians. Curbs. Glass. | ||
Border5150 Member Username: Border5150 Post Number: 169 Registered: 03-2004 |
According to the law, bicycles are allowed on streets. It's been a while since I've had driver's ed, but I think there allowed the same distance as motorcycles... | ||
Diehard Member Username: Diehard Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2005 |
How about this one: when someone tells the party store clerk to "knock the tax off that?" I've seen it a few times, and there's a sign at the Chene-Trombley market reading "All food taxed." Is that some urban legend going around, that sales tax is optional? Also, the walking in the street thing is really annoying when people won't move for cars. A cop told me that many times, teens walking in the street won't get out of the way even for police cars. It's either a form of intimidation, or maybe they WANT to get hit, so they can sue. | ||
Mattric43 Member Username: Mattric43 Post Number: 66 Registered: 03-2006 |
My personal favorite is the people who put their trash from their fast food or crap they got at the party store and just leave it lying there. Would it hurt to burn an extra calorie to throw it away in the garbage or even better, Just take it home with you and put it in your own trash. It can not possibly put someone in cardiac arrest | ||
Naturalsister Member Username: Naturalsister Post Number: 815 Registered: 11-2004 |
State law is no tax on food except from restaurants/fast-food/carry-ou t. later - naturalsister | ||
Diehard Member Username: Diehard Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2005 |
Should've clarified. Trombley's "all food taxed" sign is at the carryout counter. I'd assume they wouldn't tax grocery items. When I've seen someone request to "knock the tax off," it's been for liquor, cigarettes, etc. | ||
Mrsjdaniels Member Username: Mrsjdaniels Post Number: 211 Registered: 08-2005 |
I worked at a credit union and ppl used to come in with their checks and ask for specific amounts of money... say the check is for 1278.33 they would ask for 4 hundreds 10 fifties 15 twenties 7 tens and 8 rolls of quarters AND NO LIE put the 33 cent in their bank account if not that type of combo, they would ask for 7-10 money orders of varying amounts WTF | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 778 Registered: 11-2003 |
^^^^ enough to keep the account open | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1986 Registered: 10-2003 |
Here's another Detroit thing: getting a load of sliced bread with your carry-out order. Carry out places even go to the effort of listing it as part of the order. I have to second Neilr's recomendation for "Framework for Understanding Poverty" by Ruby Payne. The book is a quick, fun and interesting read. You could even use it at a party if you really wanted to (maybe I'm kind of nerdy). It will open your eyes up to a lot of things that seem illogical or trivial as well as give you a fantastic understanding of the though process that folks from a poverty, middle class and rich background use in making decisions. The DPS uses it religiously to train all new teachers and principals. http://www.amazon.com/Framewor k-Understanding-Poverty-Ruby-P ayne/dp/1929229143 | ||
Detroitteacher Member Username: Detroitteacher Post Number: 646 Registered: 06-2006 |
DPS trains new teachers?? All I got was a lecture on work rules and a lesson on how to laminate (on my own dime). I want a refund! It would have been helpful had they had such training when I was coming into DPS. It may have put an interesting topic to an otherwise boring "training" session. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 628 Registered: 12-2005 |
"I never want to hear again, that poor children can't learn!" -- Dr. Ruby Payne That's beautiful. | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 381 Registered: 01-2006 |
Oh, and after you've totalled up my bill for gas, cigarettes, candy bars, chips, some gum and a drink, gimme two Swishers, how much is that? | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 639 Registered: 12-2005 |
Here's one that has been puzzling me. It seems unique to metro Detroit. At red lights, many people start rolling forward just before the light turns green. A) How are they able to anticipate when the light will change? Do they mentally count off the seconds? (This happens even when the cross street's yellow light isn't visible to use as a cue.) B) Why do they bother? Is it just a courtesy to alert other drivers of the upcoming light change? Is it a proud display of traffic skill? | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1998 Registered: 10-2003 |
You can anticipate when the light will change by looking at the lights for the opposite direction or by looking at the ped. crossing lights. The anticipation does help keep traffic moving. I've been to some other cities where folks didn't anticipate and it made traffic go slow - everyone sort of slowly got up to speed, just to stop at the next light because they took so long to get there. |
