[Kathy]

I grew up across the street from a girl with Down’s Syndrome and we remain good friends to this day. As kids I can assure you, that in her case at least, my friend definitely understood her condition so much so that she would pretend to be slower than she actully was to get away with stuff… I know cuz I was in on it most of the time. Down’s Syndrome is a condition that varies from one person to the next. Some have such a mild case of it you would know they were different if not for the tale-tell physical signs… others are so severe that they are ever able to hold a job or care for themselves, and not all that have higher functioning are as crafty and devious as my friend to put that to use. In truth there is no general rule about it because it will change with the next person with Down’s that you talk to.

User Detail :  

Name : Kathy, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 29, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : Customer Service, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower class, 

[Kathy]

This is an unusual time for black people in the United States. Although you don’t say so, from your posting I assume you’re white (or at least not black), but don’t feel bad about your observation. I’m black, and it confuses me, and that’s just one of a handful of things that we do that I just don’t get; but here’s my best guess: a culture does not come into existence overnight; it takes generation after generation after generation to develop and grow, like a living thing. And right now the culture of black Americans is somewhere in late-childhood/early-adolescence. So we, as a group, are still figuring ourselves out, and along the way some of us will adopt some odd habits. A little anecdote related to this: I was married to a white man for 7 years, and one day he and I are riding the train when a black woman gets on with this elaborate sculptured hair-do. My husband asked me, ‘why do black women wear their hair like that?’ I replied, ‘I don’t know, those are not my people, I’m not part of that culture.’ He asked what I meant, and I said ‘I don’t know why some black women wear their hair like that any more than you know why some white people feel the need to own 8 hound dogs and marry their sisters… those are not my people.’ He chuckled.

User Detail :  

Name : Kathy, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 29, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : Customer Service, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower class, 

[Kathy]

It is also a question of maturity. A person will eventully reach the point in his or her life where they just don’t have the patience it takes to waste time playing games. ‘Be up-front with them and never tolerate any less from them’ was the rule I adopted, and it’s worked fabulously for me. Girls (and guys) who still feel the need to lead someone on just haven’t grown up yet. Unfortunately, some people never do.

User Detail :  

Name : Kathy, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 29, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : Customer Service, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower class, 

[Kathy]

High gas pricies aside, plainly put, black people have a higher tolerance for heat (and consequently a lower tolerance for cold) than whites. It’s the same answer to ‘why in the world to whites go out in 40-50 degree weather with t-shirts and shorts on?’ I can’t stand AC, I freeze all through the fall, winter and spring (in Chicago, fall and spring are just early and late winter) just waiting for some heat, and when it finally arrives, I’m refrigerated in every public building I enter. So no, I don’t use AC in my car or anywhere else if I can help it, not until temperatures get in the 90’s, then it’s too hot.

User Detail :  

Name : Kathy, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 29, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : Customer Service, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower class, 

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