I have always had nice teeth (expensive, also) and had confidence in my looks. One day I caught a bad recoil on a chain saw and lost one of my top front teeth. For the next week, and this is true, I was treated very differently by many people. They talked slower to me, assumed I needed help understanding the complexities of ordering lunch, and actually percieved me to be unable to count my change, find my way home,and was obviously a backward trailer park hillbillie. (I am NOT backward)
2006-10-04 16:37:12 · 11 answers · asked by Raptor 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Ahh, I didn't expect such a large response to this little ques. Nobody else curious around here? I was born and raised in NY, the question was really meant to be more of a humorous anecdote, that's all. This was 20 years ago, guys. I am very comfortable financially, Don't know any hillbillies personally,(I'm sure they are loads of fun at a hootenanny) and very nice. It is a true story, I'm retired now and have too much time on my hands. Think a lot. Just thought I'd mention this small observation I made and have always made sure I treat all people well.
2006-10-04 18:44:38 · update #1
Apparently their IQ is measured by your front teeth.
2006-10-04 16:39:42 · answer #1 · answered by SunDancer 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well, it is true that people who don't have a whole lot of money tend to have worse teeth than those who do. It is generally assumed that your health is one of the first things that money goes towards, and if your most obvious type of health (dental) has been let go, your employment is questioned. It is often assumed that those with bad or no jobs are unintelligent or uneducated.
In my area. it is actually true that the worse your teeth are, the less educated you are. But, I also live in a very class-segregated area. I'm one of the few who are genuinely middle class, and I work part-time (full time studend). I had a guy come into my work, pay for a $3 purchase with a $100, and then say, "I know it's easier for me to use a smaller bill, but WHO is it easier for, really?" It sucks. I feel you here...on a smaller scale, I guess, but I still do.
2006-10-05 00:28:48 · answer #2 · answered by Esma 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, some people think that people with broken teeth are stupid, and so, causing them to simplify what they say to you. Your lost tooth that made yourself not being able to count your change is because your body is distracted by it, causing you to not properly concentrating.
Hillbillies are said to have lost many teeth, but that doesn't prove that you're a hillbilly. I have lost a front tooth, but no one seems to think that I'm that dumb!
2006-10-05 00:06:52 · answer #3 · answered by Too Evil for........ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
People are weird about appearance. They think if someone doesn't look "just right" they must be "different". Whether that "difference" is being slow, stupid, backwards, or what ever, depends on the person making the judgment.
2006-10-04 23:47:48 · answer #4 · answered by ChaoticChicaLovesJT 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you look like an idot than people will treat you like an Idot.
Get thoes teeth fixed. Appearence is everything.
2006-10-05 01:44:55 · answer #5 · answered by Jay-V-Dub 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
people are just ignorant. Maybe they don't like something about themselves, so they act like the way you look makes you smart or not. Look at many of the famous and rich, if you saw them on the streets, would you think they are intelligent
2006-10-04 23:41:44 · answer #6 · answered by tiggerluvbug72 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Uh......... my I.Q is 129. I had to take a huge test. There was no dentist there. I never had braces because my teeth are naturally straight. I get your question and I can see the correlation.
2006-10-05 00:15:09 · answer #7 · answered by queenE 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
People who lose teeth and don't get them fixed are often, I would bet, of a mentality that would make them seem less intilligent to the average person.
2006-10-04 23:41:19 · answer #8 · answered by bruinfan 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Unfortunately, stereotyping is quite common.
2006-10-05 00:27:37 · answer #9 · answered by katzetex 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A gap or a broken tooth means that you are probably some kind of a hick or rube. Therefore, I...... will....... speak....... in..... a....... slow....... way.
Image is everything
2006-10-04 23:49:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋