Is it rude to call someone's major useless?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I'm a high school student, and while I was visiting a campus, I asked a girl what her major was, she responded saying, "Oh, I'm triple majoring in Anthropology, Theater, and Queer Studies." Unfortunately, at that time, it seems as though I wasn't competent at separating my inner thoughts with my verbal communication, and, unfortunately, I responded saying, "Wow, the three most useless things you could ever study." </p>

<p>She seemed very upset by hearing that and left. My friend comforted me and said, "Pssh, don't worry. She's probably heard it a million times before."</p>

<p>Honestly, I do feel that by encouraging people to go after their dreams, no matter what the risk, you're setting them up for failure. I mean, I know anthropology graduates, they're telemarketers now. All what the degree has done is made them look slightly more appealing than their high school diploma counterparts applying for work. The girl wasn't attractive either, so that greatly decreases her chances of getting a career related to theater. </p>

<p>A wise man once said this: College majors are like marriage, you pick the first one out of love, but the second one out of a desire for money.</p>

<p>She failed to do the latter part! It's important to understand that she needs to be that promiscuous woman who poker faces what she likes in order to receive a lucrative career!</p>

<p>College is getting more and more expensive; it's an investment. You have to make the right decisions, and, there are certainly wrong ones!</p>

<p>Was I out of line? Am I wrong? Please, wise, educated college students/graduates, enlighten me. Thank you!</p>

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<p>You already know you were a judgemental jerk. Who are you to tell her this – what business is it of yours? I was just talking with an adult yesterday who was an anthro major who is well employed now. FYI, you are not the “wise man”. You are a high school kid who just couldn’t keep from saying the first thing that came into his head. Learn to keep your opinions to yourself unless they are requested, and you will be a lot better off.</p>

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<p>I understand that I failed in etiquette, but, do you honestly think she made the right decisions? TRIPLE majoring in some egregiously risk fields. Think of her as a close friend of yours and she were to tell you her desired major. Do you not appreciate it when one is blunt? </p>

<p>I was loving. <3</p>

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<p>Our President was a Community Organizer which is what people with those degrees go on to do. That and college professors.</p>

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<p>You are interchangeably mixing the concepts of “useful” and “dependably employable/earning”.</p>

<p>You do realize that these campus tour guides make reports on the prospective applicants. Your rudeness to her is unlikely to cast you in a good light to the admissions office.</p>

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<p>Of course it was rude. You have NO idea what she plans to do after graduation or why she chose those majors or anything. You have a miserable four years ahead of you if you plan to spend them needlessly degrading other people’s choices. </p>

<p>

Never mind, this is a 100% ■■■■■ post. No one would actually post something so revolting and cretinous.</p>

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<p>It’s one of those things better left unsaid. </p>

<p>Yes, Theater and Queer Studies don’t seem like very “good” majors, just like majoring in Religious Studies. But, to answer your question, it was rude. You didn’t know the girl and she wasn’t asking for what you thought of her majors. It’s like someone asking you what kind of shoes you’re wearing only to hear them respond with, “Those are kind of ugly.”</p>

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<p>It’s tough love, but it’s reality. Getting a career acting is close to impossible. You’re aware that a Theater major doesn’t lead down a lucrative and bright path, don’t deny it. </p>

<p>If you’re lucky enough TO get such a job, you’ll desperately need one thing: looks.</p>

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<p>@BlowOffValve So, what do you say when someone says, “Do you like myself” and, in truth, you find them to absolutely revolting. Do you lie? Honestly, I’m not comfortable doing so.</p>

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<p>@EpicBacon, that is different. In that scenario, the person is asking you what you think of them. They are asking for for your thoughts. This was not the case in your initial case and in my example. Apples and oranges my friend.</p>

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<p>I’m not in college, but anyone can see that you were tactless. Were you actually hoping to help her change her mind, or were you just voicing an unsolicited opinion? I’d say the latter. </p>

<p>Doing anything solely for money is never a good idea. Without drive and genuine passion, people rarely go far in life.</p>

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<p>It’s definitely the former! I went her to be successful.</p>

<p>I’m actually a psychic, I could see, in her future, was misery and homelessness. I was advocating for change. I couldn’t be direct with her about my abilities. If I were to do so, she wouldn’t take me seriously.</p>

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<p>^There’s a difference between someone saying “do you like myself” and answering honestly, versus you asking someone “hey, what kind of shoes are those?” and then, when they answer that they are wearing Doc Martens (or whatever), saying “well, I don’t like them very much.” She did not ask for your opinion; you asked her a questions and she answered it. In no way do you owe it to her to “educate” her about her major, nor does she have to listen to you. It’s as if the mere fact of her being a theatre/Queer Studies/Anthro major is somehow offensive to you. It’s not as if she told you you have to major in it - for all you know, she’s pre-law and majoring in something she’ll enjoy.</p>

<p>I know Anthropology majors AND theatre majors who are currently well-employed in their respective areas (don’t know any Queer Studies majors since we don’t have them). Yes, it’s a tough job market. Do majors like Queer Studies or Theatre have fewer major-specific jobs available than, say, an engineering major? Probably. Does that mean that people majoring in these subjects won’t have a career and are doomed to a life of telemarketing forever? Probably not. Is any of this your business, especially as it relates to a random student who courteously answered a question from an (apparently rude) prospective student? Nope.</p>

<p>You were rude. It is rude to tell someone that their major is useless, no matter whether you think you’re being honest or not. She didn’t ask for your opinion.</p>

<p>EDIT: Never mind, just saw your latest response (“I’m a psychic!”). I call ■■■■■.</p>

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<p>Okay, you’re a ■■■■■. </p>

<p>Just become a Jehovah’s witness.</p>

<p>Edit: Thanks @reesezpiecez103.</p>

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<p>Of course those are as useless as majors can get, but nonetheless it was VERY rude to say it in her face when she didn’t even ask your opinion. If you continue to act so high and mighty don’t expect to go anywhere in life.</p>

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<p>@BlowOffValve</p>

<p>Take off your glasses, and read my words.</p>

<p>I understand you come from a religious background, lately, you’ve sort of drifted from those beliefs, but you haven’t completely abandoned them. I assure you, we, the psychics, are not satanic, we are not evil, but, as you can see, we do exist.</p>

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<p>Wat evn?</p>

<p>Um.</p>

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<p>@reesezpiecez103</p>

<p>That was a typo, I meant to say, “Do you like my shoes?”</p>

<p>Please, tell me, what jobs do these antho-theater people have?</p>

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<p>What’s more important, assuring that a young woman lives a good life, or acting as society desires me to?</p>

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<p>@EpicBacon… </p>

<p>Since when do I come from a religious background?
You are also missing everyone’s point. </p>

<p>Also, saying, “Do you like my shoes?” still does not change the context of the question.
The person is still asking for your opinion. Asking, “Where did you get those shoes?” is not an opening to share your negative thoughts about the shoes. </p>

<p>To recap. </p>

<p>“Do you like my shoes?”
-> Respond with your (honest/dishonest) thoughts, they are asking for you opinion on the matter. </p>

<p>If you ask “Where did you get those shoes?”
-> The person you asked isn’t asking for your thoughts about the shoes and sure as hell isn’t waiting for you to insult them.</p>