Snap judgements (not a book)

I ran across a forum post containing a list of ways to make snap judgements people make about others based on their behavior. It was interesting, so I decided to remember, write down, and comment on the more poignant ones.

Cheap tippers = entitlement complex / never held a real job
My reaction: I don't always tip, and both of those things apply to me
My reaction: I should tip

Rude to people in subordinate roles = not a nice person or leader
My reaction: Nice people exercise courtesy and patience with subordinates.

Rude to the elderly = bad person
My reaction: Yep. I'll offer to help old people from time to time. I think it's cool that they're still out there doing things.

Talks too much about something = lying, exaggerating, making it up
My reaction: I would add "inflating its importance" in there. Something's up with people who do this, balanced people move on to different topics.

Talks a lot about money or materialistic things = will forsake you for them
My reaction: True, but it's to be expected

How people drive = a glimpse at who they are
My reaction: Balanced people will drive competently and quickly forget others' stupidity. I put a little too much emphasis on caution when I drive, and I also do that in life.

People who cut other people off when they're talking = self-centered and egotistical
My reaction: Definitely.

People who cheat = cheaters at life
My reaction: Agreed, they don't want to face challenges squarely or submit to them

"I'm going to be completely honest with you" = "Everything I said before this was a half-truth or meant to placate you"
My reaction: Hah!

Doesn't make simple decisions without asking excessive questions = tiny, fearful person who can't think for themselves
My reaction: Yeah, I've seen myself doing that and been conscious that I've given off that impression. No more.

No handshake from a guy = insecure or socially retarded
My reaction: I'd never see this because I always offer a handshake. I respect people who beat me to it.

Bonecrushing handshake = douchebag or insecure hypermasculine pricks
Too many pumps = needy and overly friendly
My reaction: The proper handshake is firm, with one or two pumps.

People who only buy the best = overly concerned with what others think
My reaction: Yes, the world is not set up so that people can buy the best of everything.

Women who won't bowl or complain about it constantly = high maintenance
My reaction: Anyone who complains about anything constantly is high maintenance. Anyone who thinks they're too good to bowl probably can't enjoy the simple things.

"I'm not, but" = "I am"
My reaction: This one's been around since Ben Franklin's days.

More complicated drinks = more neuroses
My reaction: ???

People who broadly proclaim they're right = uncertain or bullshitting
My reaction: Classic overcompensation. Also, their egos demand respect for their knowledge.

People who don't like dogs and weren't attacked as a child = flawed character
My reaction: It's hard to ignore dogs' loyalty and love.

People who aren't liked by dogs = flawed character
My reaction: Maybe, but I would hate to judge someone based on a dog wigging out at them.

People without a small circle of close friends = not trustworthy
My reaction: How can you not have a small circle of close friends?

People with nothing good to say about exes = bitter
My reaction: I would say vindictive and small. Unless someone's conduct towards you has been thoroughly reprehensible, you should always have kind words for them. I like to focus on the good, not the bad.

The social mask that people present to you = how they cover up their inner insecurities
My reaction: This sounds about right. If people can't competently discuss or field questions related to the things they bring up about themselves, that's a sure sign of insecurity.

People who refer to their parents as mom or dad without using "my" = immature and spoiled
My reaction: Whoa, hope I never meet any of those in my adult life.

People who don't drink or swear = not trustworthy, unless they're recovering alcoholics
My reaction: Or they're religious. The reason not to trust these people, I think, is because they aren't attuned to the world.

People who never have an opinion = people pleasers
My reaction: Then there are also the passive-aggressive people pleasers. These people hold definite opinions, but want all the politeness points earned by letting others speak first. A sure sign is that they don't like putting their preferences on the table when the question's first asked, but they like to quickly "trump" the first people to speak by saying, "No, let's do it my way instead..."

How someone looks at you when you're not looking at them = a good measure of how they feel about you
My reaction: This is bona fide brilliant.

How someone's behavior changes around people of the opposite sex, outside the presence of their significant other = giant character indicator
My reaction: That's an easy way to discover a mismatch.

A girl who hasn't offered to pay for anything by the third date = dump
A girl who hasn't allowed you to pay for anything for her by the third date = insecure
My reaction: Sounds about right.

Smokes = fucks
More than five piercings = fucks
My reaction: Probably. I'm sure there's a better chance than there would be otherwise.

Fat people = lack discipline
Slightly fat people = lazy
My reaction: That's too broad of a generalization. Questions would need to be asked to support that hypothesis.

Can't hold a job = unreliable
My reaction: Whether or not they can get places on time or do the things they've said they'd do is a better indicator of reliability, but that wouldn't come up in your first few conversations with them.

No life goals = waste of space
My reaction: Yep. Count dumb life goals ("breed") or goals they're not working towards the same way.

No continuing education = stagnant in life
My reaction: I would be surprised if I could find someone like this.

Bad table manners = no class
My reaction: As arbitrary as table manners are, they're an important indicator of cultural awareness.

Good reaction to compliments = good person who's comfortable with themselves
My reaction: Yeah. Also, the ability to give compliments is a good indicator. I'm guessing that in today's egocentric world, more people can give than receive compliments.

People who read = worth getting to know
My reaction: I agree, but I have to point out that reading's not some magic intellectual talisman of coolness. What you take away from a book or magazine can be less than what you take away from a documentary or a movie. That said, I do enjoy conversations with people who read far more than conversations with people who don't. Readers are more likely to be intellectually well-rounded and less validation-oriented than people who lack the patience to stare at blocks of black text for hours on end.

People who treat children like people of value = good human beings
My reaction: For the most part, I do this. My patience with bratty kids has probably increased as I've grown older.

Attributions = typically projections
My reaction: This one's especially important.

Posture = identifier
My reaction: This falls under body language, which I should learn more about.

People who complain about others behind their backs = not likely to ever confront them
My reaction: I need to watch for this. If I'm talking to one guy about another person, I'm not talking to the right guy.

People who change the subject because they know nothing about it = dodgy characters
People who admit they don't know enough to have the conversation you're trying to have = secure people
My reaction: Nice. Lately I've been abandoning discussions the second I realize my knowledge is insufficient to continue them.

People who know what they're talking about but aren't willing to see the merit in your points = tools
My reaction: Pretty much.