Post #2165730

2026-01-18 14:38 UTC

@nedbat On the opposite end, that reminds me of when I had a private driving *instructor* when learning to drive, and they made fun of the very technical way that I asked questions, and how I did not understand anything at all about cars. e.g. I asked "what is the default speed limit for driving?" and both the term "default" and the question itself repulsed him. he said i was the dumbest smart person he'd met.

Replies (4)

@nedbat@hachyderm.io 2026-01-18 14:40

@pamelafox I can relate to this! :D

Open ##2165731
@nedbat@hachyderm.io 2026-01-18 14:48

@pamelafox I got into trouble with normies (like my wife!) for using "default" also, though now she is used to it. It took me a while to explain what I meant by "modulo" also, like "the store is open on Mondays, modulo holidays".

Open ##2165732
@dashdsrdash@tilde.zone 2026-01-18 19:31

@pamelafox @nedbat You probably know this, but just in case: many jurisdictions do in fact set a default speed limit. They tend to be cited as "unless otherwise posted".

Open ##2165734
@almad@fosstodon.org 2026-01-19 16:13

@pamelafox @nedbat Oh in my country, driving instructors were Stack Overflow commenters way before it was cool. You’re obviously not a man unless you can rebuild the car engine yourself, from raw materials. And as a lady you can obviously never properly know anything about cars, but you should show continuous gratitude for allowing you to drive it

Open ##2165736