Grammar: Something white people like

If you read this blog, then you may be more Caucasian than you care to admit. It seems that number 99 on the list of stuff white people like is grammar. Why?

White people love rules. It explains why so they get upset when people cut in line, why they tip so religiously and why they become lawyers. But without a doubt, the rule system that white people love the most is grammar. It is in their blood not only to use perfect grammar but also to spend significant portions of time pointing out the errors of others.

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If you wish to gain the respect of a white person, it’s probably a good idea that you find an obscure and debated grammar rule such as the “Oxford Comma” and take a firm stance on what you believe is correct. This is seen as more productive and forward thinking that simply stating your anger at the improper use of “it’s.”

Comments

[Elizabeth Guzman]

As a Puerto Rican Sanskrit scholar and English teacher, I can assure you that white folks are not the only people who love grammar. What are you suggesting--that white folks have a monopoly on this? What is your point? This post strikes me as racist. I am surprised and perplexed. Why such stupid comments on an otherwise wonderful blog?

[Ray Ward]

I thought that this post makes fun of white people as being too uptight. It makes fun of white grammarians by depicting them as being a bit too proud of themselves. The general them of the blog "Stuff White People Like" (where I got this post from) is to poke fun at Caucasian quirks. And I thought it would be okay for a white guy (me) to make fun of white people.

Personally, I'm guilty of many of the things skewered by "Stuff White People Like," e.g. shopping at Whole Foods, wearing New Balance running shoes, drinking bottled water.

[Greg May]

The "Stuff White People Like" blogger has a book deal! And he just started blogging in January!