Mean Survey
About The Current Incarnation Of Our Culture
Pause For Clarity & Understanding
The Asymmetrically Intertwined, Multi-faceted Cultural Phenomenon That Has Overtaken Our Culture & Overwhelmed Our Sensibilities -- Being Mean, Rude, & Classless
Today there are today several obvious manifestations of mean behavior. Consider how while driving needlessly aggressive and rude drivers approach from behind demanding that you exceed the speed limit as they are or else! Consider the work atmosphere in your office where needlessly rude and aggressive coworkers maneuver to hold other people back rather than working harder themselves to achieve more, thereby bettering themselves and the organization. Consider politics where genuine leaders who could wisely implement reforms and lead the advancement of the nation rarely and reluctantly rise forth to run for elected office.
How Did We Get Here?  There Is No Reason To Stay Here.
We -- all men and women -- are victims of some things and many things.
Today's women are victims of the women's movement. That movement liberated women but failed to educate them regarding the use of the liberties they won. Consequently, many women are unable to discern when and the extent appropriate for their assertive and aggressive behavior. Confusion over what it means to be female leads many to slip into masculinity. The result is they feel insecure. For many, insecurity makes it difficult to fulfill natural female roles including being moms, wives, and lovers. Observe obsessive women rushing in chaos attempting to multitask, exercise, drink bottled water, & drive with abandon. Often speaking loudly, being abrasive, rude, impolite, mean, unfeminine, neglecting responsibilities... & feeling unsatisfied and dissatisfied. Happiness might come some day when they learn to balance their powers, desires, & capabilities rationally. Men & women have equal rights. They do not have equal skills -- anymore than all women -- each and every woman -- has equal skills.
Today's men have abdicated, been usurped, and washed away by aggressive females and a minority of more aggressive men. Today's men display remnants and fake masculinity by not shaving for a few days. But other than that trite act, they look sloppy, dingy, and strut around exhibiting a phony bravado. In return for having been usurped by women, these weakened men turn on other people using shielded instruments such as cars while driving and shopping carts in grocery stores. They sense their lost status and compensate by passive aggression regardless of potentially dangerous consequences.
Consider the husband-wife, friends and relative relationships wherein one partner is often reluctant, quiet, and follows most decisions mandated near-unilaterally by a partner. At work, some bosses and coworkers use a noisy, raspy voice, unilaterally announce their decisions, and then aggressively demand that everyone follow. There is little discussion and compromise. Rather, the more aggressive and rude get their way.
 
These are the times when wise people find good people & build comfortable relationships that provide mutual enjoyment.  And then happiness can be savored.
These are the times when wise people shun the obnoxious, the rude, the caustic choosing instead to cultivate friends and work in environments containing cooperative, helpful, polite people.
Consider the enormous fear that many people carry hidden inside them. Fear of what? Is it financial problems, terrorism, losing loved ones, lack of enjoyment, not being allowed to eat what they want or smoke when they care to, job loss, and how many other forces. It is these fears which drive people to be inappropriately aggressive and rude.
Perspective
Perspective:
 

Using the mean pyramid to the right, please select the level where you believe you reside most of the time.
The Mean Pyramid
I'm mean when & wherever to anyone.
I have learned to be mean first & less mean after I know someone.
I sometimes get mean.
I'm almost never mean to anyone.
I have learned that being mean does not get me anywhere with people.
 

When I interact with my family and have a choice, I act according to the rule:
They are mean to me so I am mean to them.
They are mean but I am not... usually.
They are pleasant & so am I.
Other:
 

When I interact with my friends and have a choice, I prefer to:
Be mean
Be pleasant
Be either mean or pleasant depending upon the situation.
Other:
 

When I interact with coworkers and have a choice, I prefer to:
Use mean treatment to establish my presence.
Use a threat of mean treatment.
Usually use polite treatment to sway opinions.
Other:
 

Why do you choose to be mean rather than pleasant in some personal situations?
It is the only way I can get what I want.
It is the only method that makes people obey me.
I would almost never choose to be mean.
Other:
 

When do you believe you can accomplish more of your personal objectives by being mean rather than pleasant?
Often at work.
Often with my family.
Often when shopping, driving, & generally out in the world.
Other:
 

Why do many people actually choose to be mean when interacting with family, friends, & coworkers?
They know before hand that it will accomplish a goal.
Being pleasant has failed before in this type of situation.
I am rarely mean & don't understand why others are.
Other:
 

Please select the ways that you take out your meanness, anger & personal unhappiness on other drivers when you are driving.
I tailgate.
I honk my horn demanding drivers ahead quickly turn right on red.
I speed & motion to other drivers to also speed or get out of my way!
I almost never stop at stop signs.
I use my car to block cross walks to intimidate pedestrians.
Others:

Award Winner
Award Winners

What city or town do you believe is populated with the meanest, nastiest, most rude people?

The current winning loser is:
Jen, Two Harbors, Minnesota
Nominated because: "Nobody says "Hi". Many people won't leave their houses during the day because others are rude and aggressive. Employment is based on who you are friends with. If you don't drink with your boss, you might as well be a cockroach. My sister is afraid to visit the only grocery store in town."
A recent winning loser is:
Lucy, Santa Clara, California
Nominated because: "They are snooty and everyone tries to "keep up with the Jones". Who has what is paramount. If you are a woman and thin you best get your hair done by Barbie's Salon and pay $200 for a haircut, drive a sports car, and pretend you have more than you really do."
A recent winning loser is:
Paul R., Highland Park, Illinois
Nominated because: "HP is populated with drivers who are dangerously rude, seem to aim for pedestrians crossing at crosswalks, make an effort to flaunt traffic laws, and pedestrians who appear to intentionally bump into others while simply walking down the street. The town has many stop light and street sign posts affixed with signs displaying slogans such as, "Character Counts in Highland Park", & "Be Considerate, Listen to Others."
Please nominate a city here:

Please briefly indicate why you nominated this city.

Please provide your first name:

The mean aspect of our culture will dissolve someday when the nation goes into an economic recession or depression, jobs are scarce, and people must be polite in order to survive. Yes & only then
 No, not even then
Thank you . . . . .
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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