If your white, male, single and in your 50's

Less · 18-01-2006, 19:13

I knew before that I was in a population social group that isn't exactly put to the fore-front when it comes to being a priority, but tonight I have just had it confirmed.

Yes, I am white, yes I am male, I'm also single and in my 50's, this however takes the biscuit.

A rather severe knock on my front door and when I opened it there was a man doing a 'survey'. A deep intake of breath and your thinking to yourself how quickly can I get rid of him.

However his opening lines were, "Oh, well sorry but I'm doing a survey on pets, I've already got plenty answers from white people I'm only interested in coloured's at the moment."

The fact that he was so none P.C. was like a breath of fresh air, however my look of surprise must have been mistaken for disappointment because he said he would do the survey anyway.

All the usual type questions came out until this one, "do you have any pets?"

Yes I replied, "I've got six white mice, four white rats, a dozen albino rabbits and a white dog called spot, but I don't suppose you'll be interested in them because they don't fall into the right ethnic group either!".

I'm not sure but after this and the way he shuffled off my doorstep could indicate that tonight he might just be considering a career change.

Madhatter · 18-01-2006, 23:16

Feel sorry for those people really, I don't think most of them want to do it but some people will do any job, as long as they've got a job, even if they don't like it. They get abuse and rudeness off us for doing it, cos they p us off, but think about it, at least they work and aren't dole scroungers.

garinda · 18-01-2006, 23:24

I thought your budgie was 'coloured', couldn't he have answered the plonker's questions?

Less · 18-01-2006, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madhatter

Feel sorry for those people really, I don't think most of them want to do it but some people will do any job, as long as they've got a job, even if they don't like it. They get abuse and rudeness off us for doing it, cos they p us off, but think about it, at least they work and aren't dole scroungers.

Whats all that got to do with the price of fish?
They might get abuse and rudeness off YOU! but I was very polite and patient with him.

As for working and not a dole scrounger, how about we say it's his own fault he should have paid attention when he was at school then he might have a better job!

Madhatter · 18-01-2006, 23:38

very rarely, do they get abuse cos i butt in and politely, but firmly, say "sorry, not interested". I wasn't saying you were rude, but some are and very rude. I don't see what schools got to do with getting a decent job less, nowdays it doesnt seem to matter. we've got someone on here thats looking for a job but can't find one, why's that? . It's been years since I had to sign on or look for work, so i wouldn't really know what sort of things an employer looks for nowdays. A lot seem to just look for the cheapest immigrant workers they can get. I know people with loads of qualifications can't get a job, and I used to get 'your over qualified' all the time. cos they just wanted a trainee.

shakermaker · 18-01-2006, 23:45

thread wander.

ok il get back on it.

i hate salesmen/women/persons/budgies. (see below)

Less · 18-01-2006, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madhatter

I don't see what schools got to do with getting a decent job less, nowdays it doesnt seem to matter.

The point was that like you I was jumping to a conclusion, you assumed he would rather do that than be a 'dole scrounger', but what if he is doing that and claiming dole or at some time recently been caught for dole scrounging and therefore has to do this because he no longer gets benefits?

I don't know and whats more I don't care, that seems to be a complete tangent to me letting people know about an incident that happened in my mundane life!

Less · 18-01-2006, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I thought your budgie was 'coloured', couldn't he have answered the plonker's questions?

The budgie heard about the bird 'flu coming our way and emigrated.

Madhatter · 19-01-2006, 00:02

no my point was a generalisation of people who come to the door 'I don't THINK MOST of them want to do it'. I was following on from his attitude of not only to you but his attitude to the survey he was carrying out. It sounds like he doesn't want to do the job. Maybe he does though. did he say anything about your pets though?

Less · 19-01-2006, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madhatter

did he say anything about your pets though?

Be careful you're almost getting 'on topic'!

Madhatter · 19-01-2006, 00:26

sorry, remind me what is the topic, I thought it was about a survey, and the surveyors attitude to you, which leads to questions of why. perhaps I'd best just not comment, I'll leave you to it.

Less · 19-01-2006, 00:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madhatter

sorry, remind me what is the topic, I thought it was about a survey, and the surveyors attitude to you, which leads to questions of why. perhaps I'd best just not comment, I'll leave you to it.

It was until now, just a happening, nothing too serious, nothing mind bending (for me), what it wasn't, was a topic about someone having any cr&ppy job rather than being branded a 'dole scrounger'.

WillowTheWhisp · 19-01-2006, 08:01

Sounds like he has to have a range of responses from different ethnic groups. This could be a problem if he is expected to get the same number of responses from each ethnic group (unless he can't distinguish between ethnic groups, hence the blanket description "coloured")and is in an area where most residents are white. Why can't they just take a range of answers and then glean from that the extra information relating to the ethnic mix of an area? Actually setting out looking for specific types of people can create a false image.

Was that a thread wander?

SPUGGIE J · 19-01-2006, 13:05

I have heard of wierd surveys but this sits at the top. Were they expecting those of an ethnic minority not to have pets? At least he was honest in what he was looking for and as for the answer that was good. Nevermind a career change he might have booked an appointment with the napper doctor.

Mick · 19-01-2006, 16:33

We had the same guy and he came out with the same statement.
but not sure if he came to your or ours first.
it was late on yesterday about 4 ish when he was here
but it was Anne that got to the door first. so i could not say much hehe

BUT we do have a black cat if that counts ?