Need better response than, 'Good day, now get off my lawn'
December 24, 2011 4:01 PM Subscribe
Gang of kids tell me I'm stuntin'. I'm assuming that it's not ironic, tho' I am not sure what they mean. How do I respond?
So, this group of pre-ads in my urban neighborhood informed me that I was indeed stuntin'. As I am in a manual wheelchair (and I usually look pretty kick-ass) I took it as complimentary but not quite sure of its import -- I was like, is it stunts you want then.
I did look it up in the urban dictionary,, but definitions were vague and it didn't tell me what the appropriate response was. While I am bad-ass, I am sorely out of touch with many things. The next time I am informed of my stuntin' status, how should I respond, beyond 'hey thanks,' which seems weak?
If I was in fact insulted, please break it to me gently.
So, this group of pre-ads in my urban neighborhood informed me that I was indeed stuntin'. As I am in a manual wheelchair (and I usually look pretty kick-ass) I took it as complimentary but not quite sure of its import -- I was like, is it stunts you want then.
I did look it up in the urban dictionary,, but definitions were vague and it didn't tell me what the appropriate response was. While I am bad-ass, I am sorely out of touch with many things. The next time I am informed of my stuntin' status, how should I respond, beyond 'hey thanks,' which seems weak?
If I was in fact insulted, please break it to me gently.
When I was a kid, "stuntin" was negative - it meant that you were pretending to be something you weren't by talking a lot of smack. But now, "stuntin" means someone who has a lot of money/cool stuffs and is generally kick-ass. It can actually, also, refer to the performance of actual stunts... but the more complimentary definition is the one I'm most familiar with. And if you didn't hear it with a negative tone, it probably wasn't an insult.
However, I think a "hey thanks," is more than fine. Maybe accompanied by some sort of flash wheel spinning or something.
posted by sm1tten at 4:12 PM on December 24, 2011
However, I think a "hey thanks," is more than fine. Maybe accompanied by some sort of flash wheel spinning or something.
posted by sm1tten at 4:12 PM on December 24, 2011
Long-time lurker (years!) who totally registered so I could be the one to reply to this. Your eponysterical username makes this answer extra awesome.
They were referring to a popular dance called Cat Daddy and the song by the same name. The song included a line that goes "move your arms like your wheelchair stuntin'" which just sorta refers to the way the dance looks -- like you're going really fast in a wheelchair.
What this means is up to you, but I think they probably meant it as a compliment.
posted by cajalswoon at 4:17 PM on December 24, 2011 [97 favorites]
They were referring to a popular dance called Cat Daddy and the song by the same name. The song included a line that goes "move your arms like your wheelchair stuntin'" which just sorta refers to the way the dance looks -- like you're going really fast in a wheelchair.
What this means is up to you, but I think they probably meant it as a compliment.
posted by cajalswoon at 4:17 PM on December 24, 2011 [97 favorites]
Go with lurker above for the definition.
As for the reaction? Good god man, you don't thank someone for telling you you're stuntin', you merely acknowledge how correct they are, IE:
"Thaaaaaaaaat's RIGHT"
or
"You're goddamned right I am"
This also works if you're being insulted, because the purpose of an insult is to make you angry. If the insult never manages to hit its target, the person who delivered it is completely robbed of the joy they thought they would get by delivering it. For this reason throughout my life I have often pretended to interpret insults as compliments. It drives the other people insane. You gotta keep your troll hand strong.
posted by Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night at 4:26 PM on December 24, 2011 [50 favorites]
As for the reaction? Good god man, you don't thank someone for telling you you're stuntin', you merely acknowledge how correct they are, IE:
"Thaaaaaaaaat's RIGHT"
or
"You're goddamned right I am"
This also works if you're being insulted, because the purpose of an insult is to make you angry. If the insult never manages to hit its target, the person who delivered it is completely robbed of the joy they thought they would get by delivering it. For this reason throughout my life I have often pretended to interpret insults as compliments. It drives the other people insane. You gotta keep your troll hand strong.
posted by Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night at 4:26 PM on December 24, 2011 [50 favorites]
Response by poster: ZOMG never knew I was doing a sexy little dance, like, all the time.
posted by angrycat at 4:28 PM on December 24, 2011 [77 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 4:28 PM on December 24, 2011 [77 favorites]
a) Awesome answer by cajalswoon
b) Almost all remarks by young boys (assuming these were boys) to adults are kind of like this: Half-serious and self-sarcastic. Most kids aren't comfortable enough socially with adults to give them a straight-up compliment, so they deliver it in kind of a cool way like this.
In a way, it's kind of a test to see how the subject will take it. To see if you're cool enough to roll with it (sorry), or if you're the kind of grown-up who freaks out at kids being kids. If you want it to be a genuine compliment, treat it that way.
posted by drjimmy11 at 4:30 PM on December 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
b) Almost all remarks by young boys (assuming these were boys) to adults are kind of like this: Half-serious and self-sarcastic. Most kids aren't comfortable enough socially with adults to give them a straight-up compliment, so they deliver it in kind of a cool way like this.
In a way, it's kind of a test to see how the subject will take it. To see if you're cool enough to roll with it (sorry), or if you're the kind of grown-up who freaks out at kids being kids. If you want it to be a genuine compliment, treat it that way.
posted by drjimmy11 at 4:30 PM on December 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
If you're relatively young and cute, they might have also been practicing, "flirty talk to a lady who's safe because she's older and looks kind and doesn't go to my school."
posted by availablelight at 4:35 PM on December 24, 2011
posted by availablelight at 4:35 PM on December 24, 2011
There has never in the history of the universe been a better time to respond,
"That's how I roll."
(yeah, the kidz were testing whether they could say something cool to an adult in an edgy way. It's only negative if you react that way. If you react positively, like with my suggestion above, you'll get total props from them, and they'll be on your side forevahhhhh.)
posted by lothar at 4:43 PM on December 24, 2011 [73 favorites]
"That's how I roll."
(yeah, the kidz were testing whether they could say something cool to an adult in an edgy way. It's only negative if you react that way. If you react positively, like with my suggestion above, you'll get total props from them, and they'll be on your side forevahhhhh.)
posted by lothar at 4:43 PM on December 24, 2011 [73 favorites]
OK, what's pre-ads?? (sigh, embarrassed, trying to keep up)
posted by thinkpiece at 7:10 PM on December 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by thinkpiece at 7:10 PM on December 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Thanks for asking this question angrycat and cajalswoon for the answer. As another manual wheelchair user, I can incorporate tis expression into my "rolling stock" of repartee. Been saying, "that's just how I roll" for quite a while. I'm stuntin' now!
posted by a humble nudibranch at 7:26 PM on December 24, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by a humble nudibranch at 7:26 PM on December 24, 2011 [5 favorites]
I think one proper response is simply, "Yo."
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:06 PM on December 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:06 PM on December 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
There are surely others who can better explain the intent/context, but the most timely reference that jumps my mind when I hear that word is Kreayshawn's "Gucci Gucci."
posted by argonauta at 8:13 PM on December 24, 2011
posted by argonauta at 8:13 PM on December 24, 2011
OK, what's pre-ads?
Pre-adolescent youth.
posted by infinitywaltz at 8:37 PM on December 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Pre-adolescent youth.
posted by infinitywaltz at 8:37 PM on December 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is a Christmas gift to the internet! Awesome. (And I feel compelled to make you a Notorious C.A.T. t-shirt now...)
posted by DarlingBri at 12:50 AM on December 25, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by DarlingBri at 12:50 AM on December 25, 2011 [5 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks all. There was clearly some ambiguity amongst this group of kids, as when the first declared, "She's stuntin'" his maybe older sister yanked him sharply by the hood of his hoodie. He began to protest his innocence: "No, she's stuntin'! She's stuntin!" He was soon back up by a chorus of kids, one saying, "No, you stuntin', miss!"
It must be noted that I looked extremely cute, as I was wearing a tight silver hoodie and had just got my hair cut. There was a sort of a flirty vibe to it all, so I do what I usually do in such cases and give sort of an awkward smile and wave.
I will definitely use the "that's the way I roll" line henceforth.
posted by angrycat at 12:09 PM on December 25, 2011 [6 favorites]
It must be noted that I looked extremely cute, as I was wearing a tight silver hoodie and had just got my hair cut. There was a sort of a flirty vibe to it all, so I do what I usually do in such cases and give sort of an awkward smile and wave.
I will definitely use the "that's the way I roll" line henceforth.
posted by angrycat at 12:09 PM on December 25, 2011 [6 favorites]
This is the greatest thread ever. I'm so happy!
Anyway I wanted to add that if a situation similar like this crops up in the future, I'm an almost-40 woman who spends a fair amount of time interacting with young folk. My stock response when this happens is to sort of screw up my face in a silly way and say, "Um... thanks?"
This accomplishes the following:
A) Makes it clear that I am aware that, as an almost-40 white lady, I am not - and will never be - part of cutting-edge youth culture. In other words, I am not fronting because seriously nothing is sadder and dorkier than a middle-aged white person trying to pretend like I know what the kids are talking about when I don't.
B) Gives them the opportunity to clarify their point. Kids are people too, albeit awkward and kinda twitchy sometimes. By leaving it open, they can clarify in whatever way they feel is best.
Usually they either get more sarcastic (in which case it's clear it was meant as an insult) or they get more enthusiastic (in which case it was meant as a compliment). They aren't always good at clarifying with words, so you have to go by tone. It sounds like the kids in your scenario were happy, so I think they meant it in a positive way.
C) It's kind of a funny response, which helps defuse the tension with some nervous laughter and giggling.
I love Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night's response, too - kind of the same idea, just in a different way.
posted by ErikaB at 12:24 PM on December 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Anyway I wanted to add that if a situation similar like this crops up in the future, I'm an almost-40 woman who spends a fair amount of time interacting with young folk. My stock response when this happens is to sort of screw up my face in a silly way and say, "Um... thanks?"
This accomplishes the following:
A) Makes it clear that I am aware that, as an almost-40 white lady, I am not - and will never be - part of cutting-edge youth culture. In other words, I am not fronting because seriously nothing is sadder and dorkier than a middle-aged white person trying to pretend like I know what the kids are talking about when I don't.
B) Gives them the opportunity to clarify their point. Kids are people too, albeit awkward and kinda twitchy sometimes. By leaving it open, they can clarify in whatever way they feel is best.
Usually they either get more sarcastic (in which case it's clear it was meant as an insult) or they get more enthusiastic (in which case it was meant as a compliment). They aren't always good at clarifying with words, so you have to go by tone. It sounds like the kids in your scenario were happy, so I think they meant it in a positive way.
C) It's kind of a funny response, which helps defuse the tension with some nervous laughter and giggling.
I love Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night's response, too - kind of the same idea, just in a different way.
posted by ErikaB at 12:24 PM on December 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
The proper response to any urban slang compliment is "Word" which should be pronounced more like "Wuuuuurrrrddddd!". See here.
posted by jasondigitized at 2:11 PM on December 25, 2011
posted by jasondigitized at 2:11 PM on December 25, 2011
I will definitely use the "that's the way I roll" line henceforth.
No, no, it's "that's how I roll." Unless you're trying for an Emily-Deschanel-as "Bones" vibe.
posted by Devoidoid at 3:04 PM on December 25, 2011 [5 favorites]
No, no, it's "that's how I roll." Unless you're trying for an Emily-Deschanel-as "Bones" vibe.
posted by Devoidoid at 3:04 PM on December 25, 2011 [5 favorites]
Thanks all. There was clearly some ambiguity amongst this group of kids, as when the first declared, "She's stuntin'" his maybe older sister yanked him sharply by the hood of his hoodie. He began to protest his innocence: "No, she's stuntin'! She's stuntin!" He was soon back up by a chorus of kids, one saying, "No, you stuntin', miss!"
That is the cutest thing I've heard all week.
posted by desuetude at 12:37 AM on December 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
That is the cutest thing I've heard all week.
posted by desuetude at 12:37 AM on December 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
I wouldn't say it was an insult, really, but they probably weren't being complimentary either -- unless your wheel chair really is blinged out with gold rims or something...
posted by empath at 4:12 PM on December 24, 2011