The Stupid Question Thread

[Scowl]

Just like it says. Got a stupid question? Too lazy to google the answer? Ask it here.

My question:

I keep hearing about how in some cultures it is considered good manners to belch loudly at the dinner table because it shows your appreciation and enjoyment of the food. What I want to know is what fucking culture is this? Because that hasn't been cool in anyone's house that I've ever eaten in.

[atlasien]

Japanese, sort of. Not a loud belch though, just a quiet confident one. It's not necessary but not unacceptable either.

You have to slurp your noodles though.

My stupid question: why are Koreans so into rowdy street demonstrations?

[Vahz]

Why do Korean girls call any older Korean male friend "oppa" which I think translates to "father?"

[ellencho]

Why do Korean girls call any older Korean male friend "oppa" which I think translates to "father?"
Apba is sort of informal for father - there's other terms that are more respectful. When a younger female addresses an older male it's oppa. When a younger male addresses a older male it's hyung.

I have no idea why Koreans like rowdy street demonstrations but I once saw a picture in a Korean history book with my dad and his friends at a student protest at Seoul U. That was weird. They looked like babies.

[Le Sheng Liu]

Why don't Asian girls shave down there? I mean cum on, that's just lame!!!!

[Scowl]

Why don't Asian girls shave down there? I mean cum on, that's just lame!!!!

Are you talking about AA women or native Asian women? And you're not basing this on porn, are you?

Here's one: How the hell do you pronounce "pirouette?"

[JadeDragon]

Why don't Asian girls shave down there? I mean cum on, that's just lame!!!!

Regrowth hurts, and seriously, I don't want to look like a prepubescent down there. You try shaving (not just trimming) your bits for your lady, and see if you like it, eh?

[atlasien]

Two words: ingrown hairs.

[Lum]

PEER-oh-WET

How do you pronounce "caveat"?

[Vahz]

Umm, not that I'm worried about sharing too much information with you guys but I went out with a beautiful Korean girl and she kindly implied that she wanted me to shave most of my body hair. I'm pretty hairy for a Chinese guy but I did what she wanted and she enjoyed it.

I pretty much shaved everything. Everything. Eveything was just smooth skin but yes, it was a pain when it started to grow back. I drew the line when she wanted me to just use Nair.

One thing that was great was that she would always call me "oppa" while we were getting it on. Oddly, it was kind of a turn on.

Friend of mine: "Dude, you're going to be a child molester when you get older."



Why do alot of Asian girls drag their feet when they walk around?

[nskripchun]

Umm, not that I'm worried about sharing too much information with you guys but I went out with a beautiful Korean girl and she kindly implied that she wanted me to shave most of my body hair. I'm pretty hairy for a Chinese guy but I did what she wanted and she enjoyed it.

I pretty much shaved everything. Everything. Eveything was just smooth skin but yes, it was a pain when it started to grow back. I drew the line when she wanted me to just use Nair.

One thing that was great was that she would always call me "oppa" while we were getting it on. Oddly, it was kind of a turn on.

Friend of mine: "Dude, you're going to be a child molester when you get older."


LOL, had to quote this.

I equate this to how some girls like to yell out "OOOOOH DADDY" (or Latinas, "OOOOOHHH PAPPI") while they're getting it. Personally, it's always weirded me out, but when you're doing your thing... hmmm, guess you gotta be focused.


Why do alot of Asian girls drag their feet when they walk around?

I'm not so sure what you mean by "dragging their feet", but I know in Japan, it's considered cute when girls walk pidgeon-toed / half-bowlegged.

[Scowl]

How do you pronounce "caveat"?

Kav-ee-at (rhymes with kav-me-cat) or, alternately, kav-ee-aht (kav-me-got). I'd pick the second one if you want to sound more pretentious.

Why do alot of Asian girls drag their feet when they walk around?

Foot binding.

[Ike]

A: KAH-vee-ot

A: Don't know about everyone else, but I drag my feet because I'm tired, lazy, and not usually in a hurry (even if I'm late).

Q: Why are our troops still in Iraq?

[Scowl]

Q: Why are our troops still in Iraq?

1) To protect US interests in the region (same reason as always). Of course, by "US interests" I mean "rich Americans and their companies."

2) Pulling out now before establishing stability and order destroys US credibility in all future foreign matters. The rest of the world won't tolerate meddling from the US if it sees us invade Iraq, completely de-stabilize the country, and leave while what's left of the country collapses in on itself.

[Scowl]

Where the hell does the word "congee" come from?

[minbo]

A: Not that it is a definitive or authoritative source, but for this it seems "good enough"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congee

Rice congee is a type of rice porridge that is eaten in many Asian countries. The word congee derives from the Tamil word kanji. In some cultures, congee is eaten primarily as a breakfast food, while in others, it is eaten as a substitute for rice in other meals.

A: As for why are our troops still in Iraq, I veto that question beacuse it's not a stupid question!

Q: How the hell do people steal home? After all, the pitcher is throwing to home already. The ball is going to get there before the runner. If the runner is leading off 3rd a long way, I'd rather take my chances pitching and giving up a run off of a hit then be a goat by trying to tag the runner out by throwing to third at letting someone steal home.

[Ike]

Oh, sorry. I forgot the distinction between a stupid question and a question with a stupid answer. =P

[Lum]

The only way you're going to see someone steal home is on a wild pitch or a squeeze-play, where the batter sac-bunts and the runner slips by. Sometimes a late pick-off to third will allow them to steal home as well, but a runner on third rarely takes that big a lead.

What the hell is "High Mandarin"?

[Scowl]

How do you write "stop sending me text messages, you've got the wrong number" in Spanish?

[atlasien]

How do you write "stop sending me text messages, you've got the wrong number" in Spanish?

Deja de enviarme mensajes, tienes el numero equivocado.

If they keep doing it, throw a "pendejo" in there somewhere.

[Scowl]

Thanks, that came in handy. "Pendejo" means "please," right? I threw that in a few times in my text back to the guy just to be extra polite.

Just kidding, I know what it means.

[wuwei]

Question: Why do white people ALWAYS order orange chicken?

[Vahz]

Because they can't resist the taste of orange Skittles.

[Ike]

Question: Why do white people ALWAYS order orange chicken?

Because it's the only thing on the menu they can pronounce.

And I have no clue what "high Mandarin" is... what's the context?

[Lum]

High Mandarin is like some posh way of speaking Mandarin, according to a few gweilos I've talked to. I doubt it actually exists.

[Scowl]

High Mandarin is like some posh way of speaking Mandarin, according to a few gweilos I've talked to. I doubt it actually exists.

As far as I know, being snooty with Mandarin is just speaking in certain accents. Maybe that's what those people meant, but they didn't know how to say it so they just made up a term.

[nekohead]

Why do just about every NON- Black guy say that they would date a Light skinned Black women when they write about dating a Black women?
I don't hear guys write, I would date a light skinned Asian when they write about dating Asians or they will date a porcelain skinned White women.
So, why do guys have to tear apart Black women by skin color? We are ALL Black ( dark, brown, red bone.etc.).



http://www.fairandflawlessskin.com/skincolorprod.html

[Ike]

Neko, that's not a stupid question. As far as my own experiences with Chinese standards of beauty, they think that pale = pretty. When I came home from college the first time, all these older Asian women were fawning over how pretty and pale I had become. It was kind of disturbing, especially because I've always wanted to be darker.

And really, when Asiaphiles say they love Asians, they are thinking of the stereotypical Japanese geisha girl... who is very pale.

[Kuroyama]

Why does everything in the universe go faster when you have something else to do. (Example: traffic jam in L.A.? no problem. bust out a Blackberry and start reading email. guaranteed cars start moving!)

[Kuroyama]

How did Asian women get a stereotype for being docile? I mean really! Black people DO play basketball. Californians DO surf. Golfers DO wear questionable fashion...

I have in my life, never met a "docile" Asian woman. So...where did that come from, some necrophiliac?

[Ike]

Kuro, I must answer your question with a question: Ever just watched the hands on a clock tick?

Why do I yell at my computer when I see things that disturb me?
(Today it was JM's posts and this site: http://www.fairandflawlessskin.com/skincolorprod.html)

How long will it be before I put my fist through the screen?

[Scowl]

How long will it be before I put my fist through the screen?

Never, because you know it will really hurt and you don't want to have to get a new monitor, anyway.

[Ike]

It's a laptop, covered by school policy.

[theme]

That policy covers 'fist in the the monitor by way of angry asian woman'? cool.

[Kuroyama]

I had that actually happen once...well, fist by angry Jewish guy. He SWORE he didnt do anything to the machine, yet, there was the laptop with a big impact crack in the middle of the screen.

We had full bore do-anything-and-its-fixed-free insurance, so Dell fixed the laptop screen free.

And yes, I do talk to machines. I have in fact given that as professional advice. When working in the lab and the machine wont cooperate, sometimes you just have to talk to it... (By talking of course I mean profane, abusive language) But dont let silicon fool you, it understands perfectly, and will come around.

Heres a stupid question:

Why are all Oakley watches priced and well over $500 when I cant think of a single model that looks a lot better than dried dog shit? Honestly, Im a big fan of their eyewear, but have they sold more than 6 watches since they started making them 10 years ago? Maybe their designer and their marketing guys are drinking the same kool-aid.

[atlasien]

I don't know, but it reminds me, why does anyone spend more than $10 for sunglasses?

They all work the same (http://clarkhoward.com/clarkmedia/tv/sunglasses.html).

They all kind of look the same to me, too.

[Vahz]

Label whores.

Though I can't say anything because I wear a pair of Armani sunglasses that cost $274. In my defense, my father knows someone in the company and got it for $75.

[Lum]

I used to have a serious sunglasses fixation, meaning I had tons of them, but they were all cheap ones. What I hated was how most shades are designed to make you look slick or mean, so I started going out of my way to find ones that made me look sad, amused, perplexed and so on. It was fun being a walking Mr. Potato-Head. Unfortunately this hobby worked better in New York. All the sunglasses they sell here look the same.

Why are oranges good luck, and apples bad luck?

[nskripchun]

Label whores.

Though I can't say anything because I wear a pair of Armani sunglasses that cost $274. In my defense, my father knows someone in the company and got it for $75.

Dude, a huge discount like that is mandated by your Asian genes. It must be seized upon.

[nskripchun]

Why are oranges good luck, and apples bad luck?

I dunno why apples are bad luck, but oranges are good luck because the word for oranges in Chinese is a homophone for the word for "wealth".

http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/festival/newyear/newyear.html

You always given the oranges in even numbers - preference to 8, 10, and 12.

4 and 9 are bad.

[Le Sheng Liu]

Why are some farts sour? What do you have to eat to get that kind of gas?

[JadeDragon]

How did Asian women get a stereotype for being docile?

I think it has something to do with the value placed on modesty. "Good" women were those who took care of their families and stayed at home, and this was probably reinforced during the Victorian age, after its presence in many traditional Asian cultures. When Asians first arrived in North America and Europe, the people there probably noticed that Asian women were less likely to bring attention to themselves and be outspoken about their rights (and this was around the time women's suffrage was becoming prevalent too). Asian women also possibly placed more value on family life as well, considering that many of them were separated from their husbands at the time due to arbitrary immigration laws. So, because of this contrast between these groups of women, I suppose Asian women were seen to be more "docile" and more likely to bend to the wishes of men, thanks to cultural misunderstandings.

But really, behind the scenes, Asian women were most likely the ones holding the families together. =P ("NO DINNER for you until you give me your paycheque! You know I have to feed, clothe and protect the children from riff-raff! What?! You think I run a free service? I'ma beat your ass down for even thinking that my work is not as difficult as yours! You try cooking, cleaning, running after the brats and chasing off white assholes every day!")

Just kidding.

[Vahz]

Dude, a huge discount like that is mandated by your Asian genes. It must be seized upon.

haha. that's why i bought them even though I hardly use them.

[ellencho]

Ok I have some - why is it that even the most silent dogs only bark when you're about to make an important phone call?

Here's another - why does this forum attract noobs who know nothing about how message boards and forums run? Maybe they should start teaching internet etiquette in jr high, right after they teach you about your changing bodies.

[Kuroyama]

Of course Im a label whore! I try not to be in-your-face about it, but heres my rationale. Generally speaking, label made stuff is not crap. By this, I mean that if I buy a Nike Dri-Fit Sphere soccer shirt to practice my taiji in, I can count on it to last me 2 years or more. (Since I need everything a minimum of XXL, I hate, hate, hate having to shop for new crap because I can spend a weekend shopping and find nothing big enough to fit me!)

Anyway... I tried just getting like 5 cotton T-shirts at Foot Locker for $20... they get all stretched and tweaked in the wash.

Lum...I didnt know that oranges were good luck! Is that a Chinese thing? I wonder if that came over this way and is why Japanese people use mikan/tangerines in New Years decorations?

Le Sheng Liu...I dont know Brotha, you gonna haveta ask Jeeves about that one...

Heres one... Why do grown men and women always forget there are growing pains in going from one Micro$oft OS to the next? DOS>3.x>95>98>Me>2000>XP>VISTA Has there ever been an MOS that didnt have a transition period where stuff didnt work like it did with the old OS?? Why is this still a surprise each time it happens?

[Kuroyama]

With the exception of doggy, why do all porn positions look like exercises in acrobatic discomfort?

[ellencho]

Why are some farts sour? What do you have to eat to get that kind of gas?
Maybe acidic foods make your poots sour smelling? Or maybe when farts are sour it's a sign of some sort of digestive distress unrelated to foods.

[Lum]

Lum...I didnt know that oranges were good luck! Is that a Chinese thing? I wonder if that came over this way and is why Japanese people use mikan/tangerines in New Years decorations?

It is a Chinese thing, and I'm sorry to say that's probably why it's also a Japanese thing. You'll see them at funerals, New Years...everywhere.

So I asked my mother why not apples. She shivered and shook her head saying "Nooo. No apples. Apples...bad." I asked why they were bad and she said "Brooklyn." That's right. Brooklyn. I asked what's wrong with Brooklyn, and what this had to do with apples. She said she thinks there was an apple orchard, or an apple something in Brooklyn, and Brooklyn is where the Chinese cemetary is. Ooookayyy.

Heres one... Why do grown men and women always forget there are growing pains in going from one Micro$oft OS to the next? DOS>3.x>95>98>Me>2000>XP>VISTA Has there ever been an MOS that didnt have a transition period where stuff didnt work like it did with the old OS?? Why is this still a surprise each time it happens?

Because non-power users (read: most people with computers) don't associate effect with cause when it comes to technology. They just think their computer randomly decides to malfunction. There was a funny article about this in The Onion. In case you haven't read it:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/34156

Here is a very stupid question: How do you insert links? I forget.

[ellencho]

Like this:
{url=http://www.blahblah.com} words {/url} Swap out } for ]

[Kuroyama]

Ellen what does your quote mean? Do you play Resistance: The Fall of Man?

[ellencho]

Ellen what does your quote mean? Do you play Resistance: The Fall of Man?
I stole it from a really bad song by Lil Mama called My lipgloss (http://youtube.com/watch?v=QUTIOjZejFI). And plus, I really do have a cool hedgehog who pops.

[Scowl]

Why do farts always seem to stink worse in the shower/tub? I mean typical farts, not the "I just had 6 pints of Guinness from the tap and a plate of buffalo wings" kind of farts.

[nskripchun]

Why do farts always seem to stink worse in the shower/tub? I mean typical farts, not the "I just had 6 pints of Guinness from the tap and a plate of buffalo wings" kind of farts.

i think they stink worst in the shower because the rising warm steam carries more of the funk up to your nostrils. I'm not sure how you're smelling it up in the tub though, unless you happen to lift yet backside outta the water to do it, haha...

[ellencho]

I'm not sure if this is true, but one of the byproducts of digestion that you find in farts, butyric acid is water soluble, so maybe being in a very moist environment, the BA is able to disperse more effectively than in a dry environment?

[Scowl]

Hm, interesting. It's just that all shower/bath farts are stinkers. You guys are noticing this too, right?

I'm not sure how you're smelling it up in the tub though, unless you happen to lift yet backside outta the water to do it, haha...

Come on, dude. Don't tell me you've never made a trouble bubble. Tell me that shit don't stink when it bursts.

[Scowl]

New question: How do you run for president of the US? Also, I know you have to be born here to be elected, but does that also keep you from running in the first place?

[redbutton]

How did Asian women get a stereotype for being docile? I mean really! Black people DO play basketball. Californians DO surf. Golfers DO wear questionable fashion...

I have in my life, never met a "docile" Asian woman. So...where did that come from, some necrophiliac?



I think from old western movies or the media back in the day. It showed asian men being powerful and bossing the women around adn the women being "whorish", or always serving the guy rice and never speak. Something stupid like that. It might have been like that back in the day, but then again, it was like that in the 50's in america [not with native americans so much because women were "higher" then guys in most cases]. Anyway, I think thats where the fetish comes up. Some people want someone who can be seen and not heard...not ot mention constantly used for sex [which would come form the whole docile thing which translates into being submissive].

And not all black people play basketball. I'm sure there are some cali kids who cant swim. Although I cant question the golfer thing...

[nekohead]

I was on MySpace today and when I went to log off and do something else. I noticed these two ( below) DUMB sites. Why do they have to have a sponser for sites? Can't web sites somewhat PICK what they want/who as a sponser? Or is it like a comercial for on-line somewhat?

http://meetjapanlady.com/index.htm



http://www.itextyou.com/lp6/welcome.asp

[Scowl]

I'm sure sites can pick their sponsors, they just don't really care who it is as long as there's money.

Okay, I have two:

1) What does it mean when you get a phone call, no one speaks when y ou answer, and the number shows up as 000-000-0000 on the Caller ID?

2) What's the point in barbecuing/grilling ice cream?

[Scowl]

How do you pronounce diaspora?

[vsoy]

I thought it was pronounced "Die-ass-poor-uh"

[Synthetic]

actually, i think it's dee-uh-spora

[kimtae]

actually, i think it's dee-uh-spora
I think vsoy was making a joke but in your case, you're just wrong.
di·as·po·ra
Pronunciation: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/diaspora

[Scowl]

Groovy, thanks. It's one of those words that I've read and never heard anyone pronounce.

Miriam-Webster FTW

Not like fucking dictionary.com which makes you pay to hear the audio.

[Somnio]

1) Why is innocence considered a sexy or desirable trait in women?

2) When do you put the period or comma inside parenthesis and when do you put them on the outside?

[Scowl]

1) Why is innocence considered a sexy or desirable trait in women?

2) When do you put the period or comma inside parenthesis and when do you put them on the outside?

1) Maybe innnocence = easier to control? Beats me.

2) According to the Brief Penguin Handbook 2nd ed. :

When an entire sentence is enclosed in parenthesis, place the period before the closing parenthesis. When the material in parenthesis is part of the sentence and the parenthesis fall at the end of the sentence, place the period outside the closing parenthesis.

Examples:

Our fear of sharks, heightened by movies like Jaws, is vastly out of proportion with the minor threat sharks actually pose. (Dying from a dog attack, in fact, is much more likely than dying from a shark attack.)

Reports of sharks attacking people are rare (much rarer than dog attacks).

Place commas, colons, and semicolons after the closing parenthesis.

Example:

Although newspaper editors generally prize concise letters to the editor (the shorter the better), they will occasionally print longer letters that are unusually eloquent.

[nskripchun]

1) Maybe innnocence = easier to control? Beats me.


or maybe people assume

innocence = less STDs?

haha.

[Hater Depot]

Why do they take your passport when you change money at the airport?

[Somnio]

Thanks Scowl! The parenthesis thing has been irking me! LOL

[Ike]

For Scowl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Ohx2pEHLQ

Guy says "diaspora" at the very end.

[nekohead]

I have a CRAZY question. Japanese believe that the Womens Family PAYS for the WHOLE wedding? The mans family does NOT do ANYTHING what so ever?


Take a look at the Link.
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1563478&vid=159341

[minbo]

That was a common tradition in Western culture till very recently.

I have a CRAZY question. Japanese believe that the Womens Family PAYS for the WHOLE wedding? The mans family does NOT do ANYTHING what so ever?


Take a look at the Link.
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1563478&vid=159341

[Anarchrist]

Hey Scowl,

I've heard that it's a custom in Indian households. Then again I've never seen that happen. I do remember you belching at the top of your lungs when you came over to my house all those years ago. My mother said she thought a truck was skidding off the road.

[Anarchrist]

That was a common tradition in Western culture till very recently.

Yeah, I'm on the cusp right now of getting hitched and Minbo's right.

[Anarchrist]

Examples:

Our fear of sharks, heightened by movies like Jaws, is vastly out of proportion with the minor threat sharks actually pose. (Dying from a dog attack, in fact, is much more likely than dying from a shark attack.)

Reports of sharks attacking people are rare (much rarer than dog attacks).
[/list]

I guess Cujo is a highly underrated film then.