How to Blow Your
Street Creds
Overview
There seem to be many people that are very aware of how important
"Street Credibility" (Creds) are in acquiring a job, holding a job,
keeping friends, making friends, etc. Yet there are an equal number of
people that fail to understand how important Creds are. So much so
that they seem to be perpetually doing their best to destroy their own
Creds. Their problem seems to be that even in trying to blow their
Creds, they mess up that effort due to either a lack of knowledge or a
significant ineptitude. This web page has been put together to assist
those that, inadvertently or on purpose, are blowing their Creds,
so they can be more effective at that task.
Be SURE you . . . .
These are some of the items you need to BE SURE you use in your
self assigned task. They form the major factors in how others perceive
you and your actions.
- EXAGGERATE
- Every one of us has the tendency to stretch the truth a little
when trying to make a point or impress others. If you are trying to
blow your Creds, make sure it is plainly evident you are blowing smoke.
For example, if you are above average intelligence, say 130, make sure
you blow that completely out of proportion, any number over 200 will work.
Another example would be about what it costs you to operate your house.
If it costs you $250 for electricity to run A/C, then state it as over
$600. ALWAYS make it so outlandish that anyone listening knows you are
blowing smoke. After all, if it is merely a stretch, they may simply
think you are stupid.
- BE CONDESCENDING
- To be totally obnoxious, you need to look-at/treat others as if
they have little or no intelligence or purpose. One way you can
accomplish that is by, literally, looking down your nose at them so
you appear to have a dignity or superiority they lack. Another
way is to agree with what they are saying, in a manner that belies
your words. Make sure your agreements show you are sneering. Thus you
smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or
contempt.
- USE ABSOLUTES
- Far too many people have come to qualify their words to avoid
arguments. In your attempt to destroy your Creds, never use "may" or
"could" or "appears to be". These are far too easily passed up if
looking for an argument. Instead, use ALWAYS and NEVER. For example,
if you say "you seem to be", that can easily open the door to a
discussion. If you instead say "you ALWAYS", or "you NEVER" it
immediately invites the argument "I DO NOT!" After all it is when you
are perceived to be perpetually looking for a fight that your Creds
diminish.
- Verbally ABUSE anyone that messes up
- If you are talking or working with someone and they mess up, either
in word or deed, BE SURE you belittle them. Now be careful with this
one. Many people will give others a "hard time" as a way of kidding.
Make sure your comments are sharp enough or acidic enough that no one
will mistake them for kidding. Consistent verbal abuse of others does
wonders for diminishing your Creds.
- GET MAD as quickly as you can
- There are many in our world that can easily be pushed far enough
to become mad. To diminish or destroy your Creds, be sure you become
livid, in seconds, over minuscule problems and get even worse when the
problem is of significance. You do not want to seem anywhere near
reasonable. Make sure people think you are totally out of your mind.
- ALWAYS look bored
- This is an extension of being condescending. When you are in a
discussion, or one starts near you, MAKE SURE you look bored. If the
people involved are certain that you consider their comments stupid or
irrelevant, no matter what they say, and especially if they are
restating your opinion, your Creds go all to hell.
- NEVER give positive feedback
- Many people will provide what passes for positive feedback, even
when none is due. To destroy your Creds, NEVER give positive feedback.
MAKE SURE you perpetually provide negative comments. Leave no doubt!
The old saying of "If you can't say something positive, don't say
anything." should leave you with literally nothing to say.
In a discussion . . . .
- NEVER show respect
- This is another area that you need to be very careful with. There
are certain portions of our society that showing a lack of respect
can get you killed. Presuming you are not in that segment of our
country, be sure you show absolutely NO respect for anyone you work
with or talk with. Some of the easier ways are described above in,
looking bored, getting mad far too quickly, being condescending, and
exaggeration. Simply talk down to everyone.
- Use Insults
- It is far easier to insult someone than to try to befriend them.
In addition it shows disdain for the individual, thus furthering your
goal of destroying your Creds.
- NEVER try to understand the other person's position
- WOW! This one can be tough. Many people have spent a large amount
of time working with difficult people. They provide reasoning that is
well founded and based on easily verifiable facts. Faced with that,
you will have to work especially hard to not understand what they are
saying. TOUGH IT OUT! If you want to blow your Creds, NEVER
acknowledge that anyone else may have a good or valid point, and
especially DO NOT try to understand someone that is of a lesser
ability. They may have inadvertently stumbled on something that is true.
- GET TO THE POINT!
- In a discussion, as someone is attempting to explain what or why
their point is, interrupt with "GET TO THE POINT!". This assures they
will find you obnoxious and self centered, thus furthering your goal
of destroying your Creds. If they continue to try and help you
understand their point, use the second part, "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME
TO DO ABOUT IT?". This will, most often, get them upset. PERFECT,
you now have the entry for "CALM DOWN!" Used properly, you will
have shut down anyone willing to talk with you. As such your Creds
are safe. They are gone. . . . . . . On the rare occasion that anyone
is still ready to try and talk with you, the final insult is to say
"BE REASONABLE!" If that doesn't work, the person is hopeless
and you should just walk away.
To your boss or team leader . . . .
- WHY?
- When your boss is giving instructions or assignments, be sure you
ask WHY? as many times as it takes to get him/her angry.
- You wouldn't understand
- If you are explaining your point and anyone asks you WHY?, immediately
say "You wouldn't understand." If that doesn't work, the very next time
you say "BECAUSE THE RULES ARE THE RULES!" If you still have a
job after that, smile a lot. You are now qualified to go to Chicago,
get a do-nothing job that pays immense amounts of money, and become
president of the U.S. within five years.
E-mail at:
w0ipl@arrl.net