What Would the Setbacks Do?
Email questions to advice[at]thesetbacks.com
Don't Want to Get Fooled Again
May 31st, 2006
K. Mann writes:
I have a serious problem: I am very gullible. My ‘friends’ are always playing tricks on me, and I always fall for it. Everything from the old pointing at my shirt, then flicking me in the nose when I look down, to calling pretending they are the cops telling me my father was arrested for killing my mother. I’m in a constant state of readiness, but I still fall for anything that comes my way.
After reading your column, I figured you were exactly the guys who could help me. Your earnest and honest tips and advice have doubtlessly saved hundreds of people from problems just like mine. Please, Setbacks. Save me from this personal hell!
 Trevor |
Listen MANN! That is a very serious problem. The good news is that it can be treated through medication. Now, I'm obviously not qualified enough to be prescribing drugs, but it turns out any jackass with a pulpit can dish out crackpot advice. So here goes:
The only way to beat gullibility (outside of drugs) is training. You need to do it up right. Move to a cabin in a wintery place so that you can really focus on not being duped. Block out the whole world. Just like Rocky did before fighting Ivan Drago. Only in your case you'll be trying to get your dignity back instead of preparing for a fight against a guy who killed your buddy Apollo Creed. It seems like different situations, but really it's the same. I'm not really sure what specifically you can do at this north country cabin to beat gullibility, but I think you'll know once you get there. Let me know how it turns out. ps. this is not a trick. |
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 Steve |
I'd be lying through my teeth if I said this advice column is just a sham to give us a few laughs. Our reason for creating this forum was purely selfless - we love to help people almost as much as we love to destroy things with rock. In fact, this juxtaposition is the foundation of our band - helping and hurting - the ying and the yang, if you will.
Being gullible is not a good thing. I am also the kind of person who is easily tricked. I think mostly because I never watched any movies while growing up. Since moving out of my parents' home last year (oh wait, that's Chris), I've discovered that movies have a lot to offer. You see, movies can teach you something you can't learn at school or on those internet sites where you download free essays and pay Russian kids to do your homework... and that, my friend, is "street smarts". What are street smarts? Let me explain using an exmaple that haunted me for years: when somebody says "Gimme 5" you DO NOT have to give them five dollars. I've learned several such life tips from movies, and I bet if you watch some you'll wisen up too. I recommend starting with the Police Academy series. There are quite a few life lessons in parts 5 and 6 in particular. |
 Paul |
Awaiting wisdom... |
 Chris |
This problem of yours is very real indeed.
The only way to overcome this most terrible personal obstacle is by becoming a jaded, cynical, grouch of a bastard. Don't believe anything that anyone says. Even the stuff that is the truth. You encounter a cop stopping your for speeding or hitting pedestrians? Tell him he can give up the act. Your landlord tells you you're late on rent? Fuck you Mr. Doherty. Your father calls to tell you your mother died? Eat my ass Dad, I see through your bullshit attempt at bowling me over and making me look like a dickweed. This of course is offset by the fact that you could suffer a devastating blow personally if you dismiss something critical that is in fact true. Tread lightly. My own strategy of doing this made me miss out on getting a free Oreo from a homeless guy once, and I've been regretting maintaining the technique since that day. |
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