Assumption, Assumption, what's your function?

Well I know Its been awhile since I put up any new rants or musings, but a lot of stuff has been pissing me off recently, so you might see a few new rants and musings here in the next few days or so. I'm starting off with this, because I can hit a lot of bases at once with it (and get a lot off my chest) and I am so fucking TIRED of people assuming things about me or my family and friends.

as·sume transitive verb
Middle English, from Latin assumere, from ad- + sumere to take -- more at CONSUME
Date: 15th century
1 a : to take up or in : RECEIVE b : to take into partnership, employment, or use
2 a : to take to or upon oneself : UNDERTAKE b : PUT ON, DON
3 : to take control of
4 : to pretend to have or be : FEIGN <assumed an air of confidence in spite of her dismay>
5 : to take as granted or true : SUPPOSE
6 : to take over (the debts of another) as one's own

Merriam-Webster Online

The definitions that concern me are #'s 2 and 5. Lets look at definition 2 first, shall we? To take upon oneself. Usually when that happens it's not asked for, wanted or needed. My son does this to me the most :) Like he wants to do something so he assumes I would say YES and takes it upon himself to do it without asking. This is one of the ways I have to deal with that kind of assumption. (and it's not bad - just happens every once in a while LOL)

The other way is that people take it upon themselves to assume I'm not teaching my child proper manners and the like (or that I let him play too many video games, blah blah blah, yackety smackety). In all actuality, I don't think it's going to kill anyone if my boy eats with his elbows on the table as long as he keeps his mouth closed when he chews.

The 2nd definition is usually the well - intended kind of assumptions. Annoying to a degree but easy to deal with. Its the 5th definition that usually winds up getting people into trouble. From the beginning of time man has felt the impacts of one person assuming things about the other. Our basic stereotypes are assumptions of a person based on their sex, religion, height, weight, appearance, income, ect. Sometimes assumptions can take a more personal nature.

Take sluts who sleep with two men within weeks of each other. These whores find out they are pregnant and ASSUME that one of the men is the father because she doesn't want the other guy to be the father. So without PROOF these numb cunts run around telling other people half-truths about what nasty little sluts they are. I hate bitches like that, but they usually wind up getting what's coming to them.

Or how about chauvinist PIGS who ASSUME their ignorant comments and innuendos won't offend anybody. Leaders who are supposed to LEAD instead of sit by and watch things go to shit? Playa's who ASSUME their womanizing doesn't hurt anybody.... I could sit here all day with example after example after example.

Bottom line is - try not to assume things about people. It's one thing to follow a gut instinct, but assumptions can hurt. assumptions can start wars, end friendships, and all kinds of other nasty stuff. Not much good ever came out of an assumption. If you feel you MUST make your own assumptions about things do the world a favor and keep them to yourself.