Maybe people really are stupid...

[thistlechaser]

Class today, another pre-bariatric surgery thing, this time held at the hospital. Two hours long. I'm surprised I'm not bald from pulling my hair out.

I often say "People are stupid!" or "Everyone is stupid!", but I don't really mean it, it's just something I say when I'm angry. But know what? Maybe it's true.

Hour one of the class: Instructor gave us 2-3 sentences of information, then asked us questions about it. Example:

"You should have protein with every meal. After surgery, your protein source could be beef, chicken, pork, eggs, cheese, or a protein shake. It should be the first thing you eat during each meal."

Then the questions were things like "What should you eat first during your meal?" and "What's an example of protein you might eat at your meal?" No one could answer! I got so annoyed, I was just answering everything myself, until the instructor told me to stop (she laughed and did it jokingly, but I know she really meant it). So when I stopped talking, the others spoke up. It was so painful.

One gave a potato as an example of a source of protein we should eat post-surgery and plan our meal around.

Another example. Instructor said "A three ounce piece of fish has 30 grams of protein. So if you eat one ounce of it, how much protein would you get?" No one could answer! Arg! Finally I just answered, because I was getting so frustrated.

People didn't even know the most basic crap. Basic math. Food groups. How in the world do they function in life?

And that was the good hour of the class. The second was the instructor reading to us. Before the class started, they handed out a booklet. While they were handling paperwork, I read the booklet. Cover to cover. Yet we spent an ENTIRE HOUR sitting there while she read it cover to cover out loud to us.

And that not bad enough? After each paragraph, she asked if anyone had questions. They kept having questions that were answered RIGHT THERE IN THE PARAGRAPH!

"After surgery, you won't be able to have soda or anything with caffeine. Any questions?"

"I'll be able to still have Coke and frappuccinos, right?"

Seriously! That's an exact example from the class! Arg!

I do not know how these people function in life. It was a complete waste of two hours time.

And get this: One of the people in the class has the same surgeon as I did, and she was bitching to me how "strict" he was. She said, "He asked me to lose five pounds! And I can't lose even one!" Yeah. He asked ME to lose 10-15, and I've done 21 and still have a month left to go.

Blarg. I swear. Instructor said something like "You should get up and walk every 1-2 hours", and one of the students replied, "So, um, we should stop once or twice on the 18 hour car trip I'm about to make?". I swear, I just swear, these people.

Comments

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, I would have died...XD

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I almost laughed a couple times, it was just so painfully stupid.

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

Oh brother! Most people are so ignorant about basic nutrition! Actually you can build a meal around a potato and get all 8 essential amino acids, provided you eat some sort of dairy with it, or soy, or beans. I don't imagine that'll give you the same amount of protein, say, a lean chicken breast would.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a potato could be a fine part of a meal for most people, but that wasn't the point of the question, and potato is supposed to be a "rare" food post-surgery.

Because stomachs will hold so little after it, the concentration has to be on lean, high protein things, like chicken breast.

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

Ah okay - I get it now! :)

[socksofjello.livejournal.com]

During school I cultivated the powerful ability to ignore my surroundings and concentrate on mental problems while others spoke. This is one of the reasons why.

Boy, that's groan-worthy. Guess you now know why they forced you into so many phone interviews!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm sure this class and those phone calls were helpful for stupid people who can't read or pay attention some people...

I should have used your trick!

[gonzostar.livejournal.com]

LOLLLLLLLLLL there were totally those people in my classes too. And I tend to answer all questions too. I can't help it!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I wasn't trying to show off, I just wanted to get it over with!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Wow. Sorry folks are like that.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Same. Thanks!

[kamalloy.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure whether I would have punched someone or ran out of the room screaming. Possibly both.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I think both is the best choice.

[dinadifree.livejournal.com]

No way! Really?
It's hilarious!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yep, seriously...

[elfy.livejournal.com]

Ouch -_-

There are two things in life that are endless, the universe and stupidity. I'm not entirely sure about the first one. ~ Eintein (I think)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Ha! :)

[teaandfailure.livejournal.com]

This blows my mind. I seriously can't even describe how slackjawed I was reading this, especially the part about Coke and frappucinos.

OH. GOD.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I know... My head still hurts!

[bacchuslives.livejournal.com]

Always put your money on the stupidity, it's not getting any smarter out there! Hate to say it, but it's true…

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I hate it, but it really is true.

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I realise it must have been maddening to sit through this for two hours, but it's a hilarious anecdote :-D

I don't think I've commented on any of your recent surgery posts, but I'm actually really excited for you. I follow them with great interest, even if I don't comment as often as I could.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

No worries about commenting! I'm glad you're finding them interesting.

And yeah, sometimes that gets me through painful things, the thought that it will later make a good story or LJ post.

[adam-0oo.livejournal.com]

Haha, that would have driven me insane.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It was so hard to keep my mouth shut! Basically I just watched my watch and waited for it to be over.

[blue-eye.livejournal.com]

This does not surprise me in the least...

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Sadly I agree.

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

I think I would have had trouble keeping myself from laughing out loud at how stupid some of them were. Or beating my head against the wall!!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, beating my head against the table was looking better and better.