dumb people

15 Dumb Things Strangers Have Said to Me:

  1. “Mommy, it talks!” (six year old after I politely told her hi when I caught her staring at me)
  2. “How did you get that way?” (Uhh… Depends on what you believe?)
  3. “Does it hurt to break a bone?” (What do you think? How about I run over your toes with this 400 lb wheelchair and we’ll see how you feel.)
  4. “It’s eating chicken wings all by itself!” (Exclaimed by an old lady to an entire food court in a mall.)
  5. “What a cute baby!” (Dude, I’m pretty sure I could teach you curse words you never knew existed. Can your baby do that? I hope not.)
  6. “Can you stand up so I can pat you down?” (TSA agent. I mean, so you think I’d be in this $78K wheelchair if I could?!)
  7. “How old is she?” (Directed at my aide while I’m sitting right there. Right THERE. This happens all the time unfortunately. I’m short, not mute!)
  8. “Can you have an intimate relationship?” (Asked in front of an entire college biology class I was giving a talk to. I mean, I wouldn’t tell you one way or another!)
  9. “Can I kiss you?” (Remember, these are from STRANGERS. Uh, NO??)
  10. “Would you like to start off with a Shirley Temple?” (Asked by a waitress when I was 25 and wearing a strapless shirt and make-up. I promptly answered, “Sure if you add vodka to it.”)
  11. “Look, it drives itself!” (Yeah, idiot, IT does.)
  12. “Let me get you a children’s menu.” (Let me get you a conk on the head.)
  13. “Oh you poor thing.” (Only monetarily ma’am. If you’d like to help me, I take donations to my concert-going fund.)
  14. “You’re going to choke if you eat laying down.” (Really? 28+ years and I’ve only semi-choked once…sitting up. I feel like I got this.)
  15. “You are so adorable.” (And they mean that in the five-year-old way. I’ll show you adorable you….)
  • Ellan
    April 19, 2017

    Ah yes!! Some of these bring back some vivid moments. Nearly choked on a few they made me laugh again at the utter stupidity of people who speak without thinking.
    We have had some really hysterically funny moments , haven’t we?

  • Kayla higgons
    April 20, 2017

    Oh my gosh I’ve gotten so many of those myself just about a month ago I had something in my memories on Facebook about some lady who basked stupid questions

    • Katherine Klimitas
      Kayla higgons
      April 20, 2017

      People can be so dumb!

  • Mariana
    April 28, 2017

    I read down the page and my reaction went rapidly from confused to WTF?! I’m at an age where people indiscriminately ask me: ‘So why don’t you have children?’ as if there was something wrong me. But talking about someone as if they weren’t even there, and calling you IT!!! That just takes insensitivity to a whole new level.

    At the end of the day, I know that these reactions are ALL about the other person and nothing to do with the subject in their way, but just reading this made me want to reach for some pepper spray! Of course, I applaud your approach and can see that calm tell-it-like-it-is responses and dry sarcasm are a much more effective way of educating those with ignorant tendencies. Whether it’s more memorable than a bout of pepper spray, well, the jury is still out on that one =)

    So from here I wandered over to your About page which I found to be lovely and entertaining (you are most definitely a writer!) To make people Think is an awesome mission. The world could definitely use a little bit more thinking and sensitive awareness. Kudos to you Katherine.

    Blowing you an ‘appropriate’ air-kiss over the digital airwaves. =) x Mariana

  • employment lawyers
    May 6, 2017

    Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.

    • Katherine Klimitas
      employment lawyers
      May 7, 2017

      What is your blog’s web address?

  • employment recruiters
    May 7, 2017

    After I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you!

    • Katherine Klimitas
      employment recruiters
      May 7, 2017

      I think you have to go back and unclick it? I’m not seeing anything on my end. Sorry!

  • Debbie Waldmann
    September 10, 2017

    Just wish they could all have the privilege of knowing you – one of the greatest gifts of my life!

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