What are you compensating for?
09-13-2017, 08:18 AM
#41
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Big Bend Country, TX
Posts: 29,114
Received 2,186 Likes
on
1,337 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
09-13-2017, 08:41 AM
#42
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jan 2015
Location: Darien, IL
Posts: 2,057
Received 526 Likes
on
354 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
I've been asked questions like that. What I say if it's a stranger who asked is usually some variation on the following basic psychological truth: "You know, that's an interesting question. You don't know me at all, so I'm guessing that your question says a whole lot more about you than it does about me."
If they hang around for an explanation, which they generally don't, I'll offer something like: "It's been my experience that when a person asks a question like that of someone whom they don't know, it generally means that the person asking the question has an issue about themselves that they'd rather not admit. It becomes easier to put it onto someone else."
There are a number of psychological processes, all of the defensive variety, that can be implicated when someone asks a question like that of a stranger.
If they hang around for an explanation, which they generally don't, I'll offer something like: "It's been my experience that when a person asks a question like that of someone whom they don't know, it generally means that the person asking the question has an issue about themselves that they'd rather not admit. It becomes easier to put it onto someone else."
There are a number of psychological processes, all of the defensive variety, that can be implicated when someone asks a question like that of a stranger.
Intimidation via questions. They count on you feeling like you *have* to answer. "This affects you how?" often puts an end to this.
09-13-2017, 08:59 AM
#43
Not nearly as fast as a non-response.
09-13-2017, 09:00 AM
#44
Instructor
When asked questions like these I usually smile and say "don't hate the player hate the game"
The following users liked this post:
RedC7AZ (09-13-2017)
The following users liked this post:
proexpert (09-21-2017)
09-13-2017, 09:44 AM
#47
Racer
What are you compensating for?...."Not a d*mn thing" take a moment to reflect on your life, smile, wave and drive off.
09-13-2017, 10:25 AM
#48
Here's another answer:
Do I need to be "compensating for something" to help you with your jealousy issues?
Air quotes optional.
This would work better on a guy, since he'd more likely be asking out of jealousy.
Do I need to be "compensating for something" to help you with your jealousy issues?
Air quotes optional.
This would work better on a guy, since he'd more likely be asking out of jealousy.
Last edited by RedC7AZ; 09-13-2017 at 10:33 AM.
The following users liked this post:
direct007 (09-14-2017)
09-13-2017, 10:26 AM
#49
Supporting Lifetime
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Syracuse NY
Posts: 4,015
Received 1,267 Likes
on
508 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
Q: "What are you compensating for?"
A: "Nothing - I just find it a good way to start conversations with incredibly rude people. Thanks!"
A: "Nothing - I just find it a good way to start conversations with incredibly rude people. Thanks!"
The following 2 users liked this post by fyreline:
direct007 (09-14-2017),
village idiot (09-13-2017)
09-13-2017, 10:36 AM
#50
Here's an answer if a woman asks:
Do you act like a ***t often with that kind of question, or just on Wednesdays?
Warning - this may **** them off, but I guess that was the object.
Do you act like a ***t often with that kind of question, or just on Wednesdays?
Warning - this may **** them off, but I guess that was the object.
Last edited by RedC7AZ; 09-13-2017 at 11:10 AM.
The following users liked this post:
sunsalem (09-13-2017)
09-13-2017, 10:48 AM
#51
Race Director
how about
"IF I WERE COMPENSATING FOR SOMETHING, I'D'VE BOUGHT A PORSCHE"
"IF I WERE COMPENSATING FOR SOMETHING, I'D'VE BOUGHT A PORSCHE"
Last edited by 23/C8Z; 09-13-2017 at 10:50 AM.
The following users liked this post:
Carvin (09-13-2017)
09-13-2017, 10:57 AM
#52
Melting Slicks
Interesting thread. I use the following when a person makes a rude comment or is making a passive aggressive comment. They think they're being smart in a way that is general in nature, without having to state their real point - kind of like a hit and run comment that they think they can get away with. This calls them out and makes them explain or just go away - almost without exception they just quietly go away, with their tail between their legs.
Q: What are you compensating for?
A: So, what's your point?
Unfortunately I told my wife about that one several years ago and she uses it on me occasionally. We always end up laughing.
Q: What are you compensating for?
A: So, what's your point?
Unfortunately I told my wife about that one several years ago and she uses it on me occasionally. We always end up laughing.
The following users liked this post:
SD_Dave (09-14-2017)
09-13-2017, 11:14 AM
#53
Intermediate
I have been asked this plenty, and I just got the car few months ago... first and slowly growingly annoying comment it " MID LIFE Crisis?"
In which I plan on replying with a standard response without directly insulting the person asking the question. I rational this in case its a family friend and not some stranger at a gas station.
"My wife knows I love driving, she told me to get it. She even offered to pay for it." (family party) .....She is stay at home mom, but will return to work force soon.
"My wife just got a baby, he is 4months old. My wife told me I needed my own"
"All others cars seeming boring to me, this one excites me"
I will be having a Big Birthday bash for my older two kids, turning 5 and 3. And I'm turning 40 ( we are all a week apart, wife can't stand it) and this car will be revealed to 75 plus family and friends. I don't want to insult them, I want to humor them.
In which I plan on replying with a standard response without directly insulting the person asking the question. I rational this in case its a family friend and not some stranger at a gas station.
"My wife knows I love driving, she told me to get it. She even offered to pay for it." (family party) .....She is stay at home mom, but will return to work force soon.
"My wife just got a baby, he is 4months old. My wife told me I needed my own"
"All others cars seeming boring to me, this one excites me"
I will be having a Big Birthday bash for my older two kids, turning 5 and 3. And I'm turning 40 ( we are all a week apart, wife can't stand it) and this car will be revealed to 75 plus family and friends. I don't want to insult them, I want to humor them.
Last edited by Junox; 09-13-2017 at 11:22 AM.
The following users liked this post:
Junox (09-13-2017)
09-13-2017, 11:37 AM
#55
Intermediate
Last edited by Junox; 09-13-2017 at 11:38 AM.
09-13-2017, 11:53 AM
#58
Safety Car
I wouldn't have even given her a look or a response. I don't give a damn what she thinks.
09-13-2017, 12:03 PM
#59
Advanced
This scenario actually happened to me this morning with my wife. We both go to the gym in the morning before work, both drive separate cars. As we walked out, she said who the hell drives that Z06? I said I don't know, he must be old, a snob and compensating for something! To which she replied, "nope, maybe a little salt and pepper, not a snob, and definitely NOT compensating for anything"! After kissing her goodbye, I smiled all the way to the car.
The following users liked this post:
Gary '09 C6 (09-13-2017)