Living here and reading DCUM has made me cynical about the people who live here. I moved here thinking I'd make friends like anywhere, have good relationships- and I see from DCUM that most likely, that's not going to happen. I might develop some friendships, but I highly doubt they will be life-long lasting ones. I also realized people here are so much more superficial than I ever thought, and now it occurs to me to be self conscious about things that never would have occurred to me in the past. In short, DCUM has given me a far less generous view on people in DC.

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, it made me realize the amount of sheer gratuitous meanness out there. But then other posters have perceived me as mean, so there you go.

A agree. I generally assume that everyone that I meet is nice and has fairly straightforward intentions (because I am nice and I have fairly straightforward intentions.) DCUM has made me realize that many people are secretly not nice and there is a good likelihood that they mean or feel something other than what they say to my face.

Yeah, it made me realize the amount of sheer gratuitous meanness out there. But then other posters have perceived me as mean, so there you go.

i wondered if another mom was judging my stroller the other day. :/ that's about it.

Anonymous wrote:The number of doormats, push overs, and professional victims is astounding.

Let me guess, you get your kicks from flaming posters and watching them scream?

The number of doormats, push overs, and professional victims is astounding.

The snobbery is what gets to me. No, we don't all make over $300K a year and can afford a nanny, a housekeeper and private schools. MOST people don't. Yet, I feel constantly criticized by these people who put down my childcare choices, the area where I live, the schools my kids attend, etc. Yes, your house is bigger, your cars are nicer, your schools have higher test scores--good for you. I hate it when people feel the need to judge others who are doing the best they can to provide for their kids at an income that, anywhere else, would be considered above average.

Keep doing your thing and I'll do mine. But don't cut me down to make yourself feel better. Or whatever reason you feel the need to insult me. I'm doing the best I can.

OK, rant over!

Even in this area, many people have no clue about finances.

Sadly, it has totally changed my view on people seeking and receiving financial aid at private schools. Although rationally I recognize that it is most like a few bad apples slamming those that contribute to financial aid, I can't shake the bad feeling it leaves and sadly it impacts my contributions.

Never knew there were so many ignorant "educated" people.

DH is very enthusiastic with other people's kids - he really loves children, turning them upside-down, tickling, zerberts, etc. But DCUM has made me ask him to temper it bc people here seem to get freaked out and scream abuse for everything.

I agree, DCUM has really expanded my range of "acquaintances." Not that every poster seems dumb or nutty. But for the ones that are, I don't think anybody would want to fake such stupidity, ignorance or insanity, because there's no payoff like when somebody fakes an identify to troll.

Does somebody actually believe Obama has body odor? Check.
Does somebody actually believe that we'd all be able to afford private schools if we stopped buying those Mercedes? Check
Does somebody actually believe that the 2008 crash was 100% the fault of greedy homebuyers? Check
Does somebody with kids actually fantasize about Prince Harry? Check. But hey, you last folks are just having fun!

Who knew these people actually existed?

Those botoxed, non-capri wearing moms at the playground who ignore me? I'm thinking they're the slash and burn posters I see on DCUM.

Yes. People are even stupider than I thought.

And I do happen to be an animal hater, although I'm not sure the two are related.

I have been reading DCUM for awhile now, and I am wondering if it effects the way we think about people. The poster on the trump thread who said it seems that DC women are cold blooded animal haters is a prime example. While this seems like a silly generalization I got me thinking, are there things that DCUM has made you cynical about? Especially in terms of how you see people who live here?