[Roberta G.]

Not only have I noticed this phenomenon, it’s been one of my pet peeves for years. This area is so full of itself and its own importance that people here are apt to look through you – not even at you – even when courteously asked the time of day. This sort of thing has happened to me frequently, as well as to many others I’ve talked to. Years ago, I chatted with a young woman who had moved to the D.C. area only three weeks earlier, and she had already noticed that arrogant people were a dime a dozen here.

In this area, money and political power are of prime importance in determining how one individual will treat another. If you’re not wearing a business suit and don’t work on Capitol Hill, you get treated like dirt. The attitude is in the very air. I noticed it within three days of moving here in 1984, and have since seen very little evidence otherwise. Lawyers, lobbyists, Congressional aides and foreign embassy personnel are flat-out the worst, although they certainly aren’t alone.

Note to the people I’m talking about: You know who you are. Try going outside the Beltway once in a while and learn that you’re not nearly as important as you think you are.

User Detail :  

Name : Roberta G., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Lutheran, Age : 38, City : Stafford, State : VA, Country : United States, Occupation : Formerly cashier, now homemaker, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Roberta G.]

Please explain to me just how the separation of church and state is violated when the President of the United States-or any other elected official-participates in a prayer breakfast. If public funds are not used in supporting such activity, it is no more a violation than if he were to attend a Hindu wedding. The president doesn’t forfeit his right to practice his religion as he sees fit simply by virtue of his office. In Clinton’s case, however, I’m sure he attends this prayer breakfast out of political expediency, rather than sincere belief.

User Detail :  

Name : Roberta G., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Lutheran, Age : 38, City : Stafford, State : VA, Country : United States, Occupation : Formerly cashier, now homemaker, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Roberta G.]

Having worked with the public as a cashier in a department store as well as several other capacities, I understand your question. I have worked with, and waited on, people of every possible description. It would be easy to generalize and say that one ethnic group is ruder than another, but my practical experience says otherwise. Some of the nicest customers I had were black, and some of the meanest were whiter than I am. However, a few of my co-workers, black and Hispanic, were frequently very rude to me. All of them were under 25, and in time I noticed the same arrogant attitude was often dispensed by some of my younger white co-workers as well, and not just toward myself. They would be snotty toward anyone who wasn’t a customer and didn’t outrank them. It seems some people learn compassion and manners only as they grow older and figure out that people who do not look like themselves are still human beings. And some people are just plain rude. Anyone who doesn’t believe that has never worked in retail. I should add that my supervisor was black and one of the warmest, most understanding persons I have ever met and I still keep in touch with her.

User Detail :  

Name : Roberta G., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Lutheran, Age : 38, City : Stafford, State : VA, Country : United States, Occupation : Formerly cashier, now homemaker, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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