Why are poor people so rude?

Question

Today I accidently tapped the bumper of an old, rusty van in front of me in after-church traffic. The reason I didn't get stopped in time was that the vehicle didn't have any brake lights. I immediately called the police so I could get an accident report. Before I could even get off the phone, the people in the van were outside of my car yelling, cursing, threatening me. I told them that I had called in the accident and an officer would be there shortly, which further enraged them. They were screaming about the dent in their bumper, and for no reason, just got back in the van and drove off, before the police even arrived. I got their lisence plate #, and the officer told me to not worry about the van's damage. The scratch on my BMW will cost more to fix than their entire vehicle was worth, so what was the big deal? Why do poor people have to act so completely uncouth?

Answer 1

If they got really upset when you told them you called the police, they probably had a reason to avoid them. Like drugs or something in their car, a suspended license, drinking, etc. Besides, their car wasn't able to pass inspection with no brake lights, and they probably didn't have insurance. You did what you were supposed to. It sounds like those people had a problem of some kind., and didn't want to risk an encounter with the police.

Not all poor people act like that. Many are just as responsible and polite as you were.

Since a rear-end accident is nearly always the driver's fault, I am surprised they didn't hang around to see what they could get from your insurance co. But as I said, there was something wrong somewhere, there. Since you gave the police their license #, they are going to be in trouble sooner or later, somewhere. At least for leaving the scene of an accident.

Answer 2

Regardless of whether or not their brake lights were functioning correctly, you should have been paying close enough attention to what was going on in front of you. This might help next time: When a vehicle is in front of you and it you are not going any faster or slower than normal and the car in front of you keeps getting closer and closer, then that means you need to brake! or slow down! get off of your cell phone next time while driving. oh, and by the way, i know a family who have millions, but refuse to buy a new vehicle. you could never tell they had so much money. you know why? because they realize that in the end it is not the material things that matter or how new their vehicle is or what make and model it is.

Answer 3

I agree those people were rude to curse and threaten you the way they did. The accident may have been 50/50 as to who would be found to be at fault, since you hit them from behind but they had no brake lights. Maybe they left the scene because they knew they couldn't afford to pay anything if they were found to be partly at fault, or maybe they didn't want to see the police for other reasons.
I don't think that only poor people are rude though, and I know a lot of poor people who aren't rude at all. I also know a lot of very wealthy people, and some of them are rude and some are not. It's really to do with the very topic that we are posting in ... 'Etiquette'. I have found that, often, poor people who are rude will actually show it in public because they don't know any better. Wealthy people are often just as rude, but they go about showing their rudeness in a different way. For example, they will curse to their friends about things and people, but often won't do it to the person's face. So, I think that rudeness is a part of life for most people, including wealthy and poor, but wealthy people usually (but not always) hide it from the public view.

Answer 4

Generalize much? I think anyone (rich, poor, middle class) can have road rage and can get pissed at something like this. Besides, the accident was mostly your fault. It doesn't matter if the van didn't have brake lights or if someone ran in front of them causing them to stop. You are still responsible for having enough distance between your vehicle and theirs. If you had been paying more attention, you wouldn't have hit them.

Answer 5

Who are you to be so arrogant? You think you're BETTER than they are because you drive a crappy BMW which is the most overrated car in the world? Listen, Miss Gotrocks, most people ARE poor, and most people cannot AFFORD new cars. The people in that old rusty van probably have more character and goodness in them than you'll ever even recognize or acknowledge in your lifetime. Someday when you get older and you have sudden misfortune and find yourself without your BMW, you will learn what it is to be poor and go without...then ask us again about why poor people are "rude and uncouth."

Answer 6

While I agree that in general rich people CAN be arrogant, and poor people are generally more rude towards rich people, it amazes me how much you people judge eachother.

"Rich people have no character"
That's BS. You'd say that because the only rich people you know are the people you see on T.V. or whatever, who have to uphold an image.

"Poor people have the most character"
That's because they don't need to uphold an image like rich people.

I also agree with the person asking this question. While they can come across as rude themselves, they did call the police and did the right thing. And they are probably right, the scratch most likely did cost more than their vehicle. But the point is it was probably someone with no money who thought some rich person was just going to do what they wanted and get away with it.

Answer 7

Well it seems here that everyone thinks your a snooby *****. But then again, those people in a rusty van just cursed, yelled, and then drove off probably because they didn't have car insurance--thats the only reason why they would have driven off if you were the one at fault. so there is your answer.

Answer 8

Because they are lesser people and not well mannered and refined like you and me. If it were up to me I would have them all caned, but then who would bag my groceries, wash the dishes at my favorite restaurant and make public transportation smell so nice? At least these folks are poor in English, so when you talk down to them they understand--I will take a poor American over a poor Mexican any day--it is so much more satisfying when the person you put down understands what you are saying...

The line is drawn, however, at homeless and welfare recipients--they contribute nothing to society and are leeches on the skin of our neighborhoods and they should be deported to make room for someone willing to work--contribute to society or get out. Then I would rather have someone that might not speak English but is at least serving a purpose in society...

Answer 9

Here's another question:
Why are you such a snotty b*tch?
Not all rich people are retarded like you to ask such a dumb a*s question!
1)Just because those people drove a van doesnt mean they are poor
2)They were upset and probably were on their way to fix the car but you were too dumb to consider that
3)You are never going to find a best answer because its so obvious that more people are going to criticize
4)Just cause you have money doesn't mean that the rest of the world shouldn't matter : did you even stop to consider those peoples feelings? You should've apologized for the damage and offered to help them in any way you could instead of being so quick to help yourself.
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Think about others instead of yourself you snotty a*s b*tch!

Answer 10

You don't even know their social status. Just because they were driving a van doesn't mean they were poor. That was a rude question to ask