I am a business major. All of my friends have more liberal-artsy majors. One day, one of my friends quipped, "Gosh, I think all business people are such tools." I got slightly offended since most of my family works in the business world but I said nothing, because frankly, I didn't know what to say. How do you reply to something like that? I mean, to me, the whole concept of being a tool in that sense is a joke considering every kind of profession is run like a business, where networking is key. Bureaucracy is practically universal in almost all professions. What I'm asking is, how should I reply if I don't want to offend?
2006-09-09 12:19:57 · 18 answers · asked by Wanderer 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
I would never care if I offended someone. He offended you, remember that. I mean, first off, he is aware you are a business major, so what kind of friend is he/she if they dont take the time to consider your reaction? Second of all, generalizations of that sort are very stupid and immature. Don't be afraid of losing them as a friend. Your world is not going to end. Don't be too concerned about changing their opinions either. People are well people.. you can't change them. Me, I've learned the best thing to do is NOT get offended. It's like that bible proverb about taking the "mote out of your own eye before you worry about someone elses". Just grow up and overcome hostility and being offended by LAUGHING it off. I would be like "yeah your so right, and you want my big tool" or "its not the size of the tool, its how you use it" or "you are just jealous because you want to be used" or just something stupid. Your not saying it to be smart, your saying it to make the situation funny. This lets the dumbbutt know that his stupid remark went out.... the window... and that you are the master of overcomming uncomfortable situations. If anything he will feel guilty and never bring up stupid stuff like that again.
2006-09-09 12:28:27 · answer #1 · answered by ISOBESTANSWERS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you had felt compelled to answer, I might have said, "And by tools do you mean actually useful and productive?"
But it's probably best you didn't reply. Everyone's entitled to his or her own somewhat skewed point of view, right? You don't want to get into heated debate with a friend over major life issues like that when you already know you enjoy a different perspective on it. It's not worth it. Nobody will have a sudden epiphany and realize they are wrong, and it's more likely somebody will end up hurt and alienated.
If the talk continues and it bothers you, you might good-naturedly say, "Ouch, that hurt. Heads up! Business major in the room, okay?!"
2006-09-09 19:30:08 · answer #2 · answered by Rvn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should mention that that was a pretty ignorant generalization, especially for a lib arts major. And anyway, where would this world be today without business people?
Here's an even scarier thought: where would this world be if everyone were liberal arts majors?
You can also feel good about the fact that you'll make a great deal more money than they ever will.
Nicholas - Admin
http://www.iConfessional.com
2006-09-09 19:22:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i like the "your mom is a tool" line
say yeaahhhh and those artsy guys
wish they could screw those tools.
i actually hear the word too all the time and an argument
with the same basis and lines so yeah.
but saying anything back is fine.
like yea but those tools are the ones with money and hot wives.
anything basically would work.
2006-09-09 19:30:08 · answer #4 · answered by xsummermagikx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only tools think everyone is a tool.
But a good response, "I'd rather be a working tool than broke." Because that's what a liberal arts degree will lead to in the real-world, being broke.
2006-09-09 19:24:12 · answer #5 · answered by juicy_wishun 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take offense. Tool in that context means jerks, or boring, or same as a tool. I would simply answer, " Tools or not, it is so nice that they don't say stupid things that are so silly.
2006-09-09 19:35:39 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Know 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reply that tools are very good to have on hand as they repair many problems.
2006-09-09 19:28:09 · answer #7 · answered by Della Mae 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let them see who's laughing when you're running a business 10 years from now and they're "starving artists". Ignore them and don't let it get to you.
2006-09-09 19:24:26 · answer #8 · answered by margarita 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be a smart *** and say 'Well that will be handy when I am nailing all my hundred dollar bills on the wall and you are doing chalk drawings on the sidewalk for pennies'.
2006-09-09 19:23:11 · answer #9 · answered by sticky 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
umm, I don't know what a tool is, but if I were you, I would just say, hey don't stereotype, I'm sure some are, but that doesn't mean all of us are
2006-09-09 19:22:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋