So how much do you fit the "liberal stereotype???"

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

You know:

1. Birkenstocks
2. Drive a Volvo
3. Drink lattes
4. Read the New York Times
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
7. Atheist?
8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?

Stereotypes fascinate me, even though I think 99% of the time, they just don't fit.

We almost don't fit the liberal stereotype at all. Not atheist, never even tried on a pair of Birkenstocks, never had a Volvo (I don't think I've ever even ridden in one), I don't think I've ever had a latte (would I know?), I don't own anything hemp.

We are a former military family. Southern. Deep southern roots. A tiny bit redneck, in the nicest sense of the word (at times gloriously unsophisticated, not bigoted). Husband drives a pick up. I'm an Aggie. Etc.

We DO eat a BIT of foo-foo food. By that I mean, fancy, gourmet, "weird", organic, etc. And I do read the New York Times. The Sunday edition is $5 here, I can only get it at my town's only Starbucks, but it's worth it because I can make it last for three days of reading and sometimes the internet just doesn't cut it. I want to HOLD the paper.

Anywho. How do you fit or not fit stereotypes?

[jpgray]

1. Get to work already.

Your procrastination is making even me nervous about your deadline. :P

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

6. Eh

I'm reading and working in between doing this. And I type 95 wpm. Does that make you feel better? I even got an idea for an article while sitting here. You guys help me!

Your concern touched me! LOL!

[JohnKleeb]

2. I dont believe so

1. Birkenstocks (nope I wear skate shoes generally, skateboarders shoes for those who dont know, and no I dont skate)
2. Drive a Volvo (I dont drive period)
3. Drink lattes (I like frapucanninos from starbucks actually)
4. Read the New York Times (I read the Washington Post but I would read the NYT if I lived near therE)
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot (whats that?)
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? (nope not at all)
7. Atheist? (Try Catholic)
Oh and I do in one respect, I got long hair for a guy but sometimes its short, but its long right now because I prefer it long. I keep my hair long because I think I look better like it. Other than that I really dont fit a sterotype.

[pagerbear]

16. JK, have a look at www.nytimes.com

[JohnKleeb]

17. I read it when I get time

I have an account there, used it to read some interesting stuff.

[jjmalonejr]

3. I'm a liberal, and I don't fit any of the stereotypes you mentioned

I am from MA, though, and I did go to Harvard, which for some convervatives is about all they would need to know to dismiss me.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

5. Hey so

let me ask you a question: my daughter wants to go to either Harvard or Columbia. Just strictly from the viewpoint of a big ol' liberal, which school is better to go to? Again, JUST as a liberal.

[NashVegas]

28. Just As a Liberal

even though I wasn't asked :)

The better school to go to would be the one that most encourages students to avoid a herd mentality.

[jjmalonejr]

50. I'd second what the other poster said

Among my favorite things about Harvard were the diversity of people and the diversity of thought.

If your priority is to surround yourself with a bunch of "big ol' liberals" so you can all pat yourselves on the back for being oh so correct and insulate yourself from any other viewpoints, Harvard is not the place for you. There are liberals aplenty, but don't expect to avoid being challenged.

I don't know enough about Columbia to comment.

[nickgutierrez]

4. Some of them

I read the NYT, I tend towards the agnostic point of view, and I'm in college.

[daisygirl]

7. Not all, but a few

1. Birkenstocks: Nope. Never owned a pair. These days I wear sneakers as much as possible; I used to live in my Doc Martens but I guess I'm getting old - they make my back hurt now.

2. Drive a Volvo: Nope.

3. Drink lattes: Every so often I'll get a mocha frothamawhatzit. Preferably frozen. I'm also partial to that fake cappuccino you can get out of a machine in convenience stores.

4. Read the New York Times: Online, parts of it.

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot: Nope. I like my food ordinary. I'd buy organic meat if I could afford it, though.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? Nope.

7. Atheist? These days I'd probably describe myself as agnostic with pagan leanings.

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?

I'm not highly educated, at least not formally. Due to chronic underachieving (and some extenuating circumstances) I didn't even get my high school diploma until a year after I was supposed to. Went to trade school, though I'm not actually working in the field I trained for.

I'm highly self-educated, though. I read a lot, and when a subject interests me I'll learn anything and everything I can about it.

[scarlet_owl]

8. Hmm. I do wear Birkenstocks.

Actually, they are cheap K-Mart knock off Birkenstocks. I drive an old Pontiac Sunbird. I have never had a latte, been inside a Starbucks, or ever read the NY Times. I eat very regular, plain old food. I have some bracelets made of hemp. I am not an Atheist, I am a Christian. I never went to college, but I do consider myself highly intelligent. I guess I don't totally fit the sterotype.

[catzies]

48. I love my cheap K-Mart knock off Birkenstocks too!

So #s 1, 4 5 and 7 for me.

[No2W2004]

9. Sorry, not a stereotype...

1. Birkenstocks - No

2. Drive a Volvo - No

3. Drink lattes - Not really, I'll have an espresso when I need a jolt.

4. Read the New York Times - No

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot - If by that you mean do I try new things to eat, then yep. The only things I eat a lot is the food I make.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? - No, but I don't make a point of not wearing anything made of hemp either.

7. Atheist? - Agnostic, only because I prefer to think for myself.

[Mara Steele]

10. I guess I LOOK like a stereotype...

...Especially with my new t-shirt (matches my avatar)...

But otherwise...don't drink lattes, wear birkies (bad ankles), eat much gourmet food, or wear hemp (too expensive)...

I do read the new york times, & plan for a PhD., though....

[La Lioness Priyanka]

11. almost completely

dont drive (always lived in cities)

drink lattes

nytimes is the only paper i read

eat real food mostly and not processed/unnatural foods

atheist

dont want kids

have cats

am bisexual

[Fenris]

12. Wow. Not much going here.

1. Birkenstocks - Jesus shoes? Er, no thanks. I wear tennis shoes.

2. Drive a Volvo - No, I drive a Ford pick-up.

3. Drink lattes - I don't drink coffee, much less that mixed shit.

4. Read the New York Times - Why would I read that?

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot - Not in the least.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? - No, and I never have.

7. Atheist? - Okay, guilty.

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not? - I dunno. I'm an intellectual. That must be a stereotype.

[MikeG]

13. Thank you. I do almost none of these things but will start doing them.

Just to piss off the conservatives.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

35. I like your attitude

it's great! :)

[SarahB]

14. me

1. Birkenstocks
I own a pair, but I don't wear them a lot. I like my blue flowery Teva flip flops better. Equally comfy, but a little more femme.

2. Drive a Volvo
Nope, I drive a minivan.

3. Drink lattes
Rarely

4. Read the New York Times
Occasionally

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
Not really. I eat tofu sometimes, but that's about it.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
My daughter makes hemp necklaces, so sometimes.

7. Atheist?
Currently, I'd consider myself more a spiritual agnostic with some leftist Christian leanings.

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?
I have a lot of college credits, but their not well-packaged enough yet that I'd use that term, but educated enough. Other than that, I tend to look very femme and have spent a number of years being a suburban stay at home mom, so no, I probably don't fit the stereotype at least in outward appearances, but as they say, you can't judge a book by it's cover.

[Mara Steele]

15. Oh, TOFU... damn it...

I DO eat that stuff... :)

[JohnKleeb]

18. now tofu is a sterotype

and as far as food goes, I am so not hte sterotype, I love meat.

[salvorhardin]

19. Not very well

1. Birkenstocks -- nope, wear hiking boots (one of the few things that fit my oversized feet).
   
2. Drive a Volvo -- acutally a 95 Mercury Sable, 'cause I got it for real cheap and low mileage and it's decent on gas.
   
3. Drink lattes -- well, I love a really good cappucino, but they're generally impossible to find where I live out in the middle of nowhere, so it's pretty much Folger's French Roast for me.
   
4. Read the New York Times -- yep, and anything else I can lay my dirty little broadband connection on
   
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot -- well, only if you consider pot roast and pizza to be foo-foo food although I do seem to consume Chinese food on a weekly basis. Does Beef LoMein count?
   
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? -- No, but if I could afford it I can think of much better things to do with that plant.
   
7. Atheist? -- Holy jesus christ on a stick yes!
   
8. Highly edumacated? -- Yes, but non-traditionally.
   

[pagerbear]

20. Only partially

1. Birkenstocks
Loafers, Skecher sneakers, or these ugly but very comfortable casual brown shoes I picked up but don't know the name of

2. Drive a Volvo
Old BMW that I brought back to the city from the suburbs which I'm thinking of getting rid of becuase it just costs more money than it's worth to keep it.

3. Drink lattes
You betcha!

4. Read the New York Times
Online. Less so, since I get lots of my news from DU now. Hate the NY Post with a red-hot passion equalled only by my disdain for BFEE.

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
Nope. Some folks are surprised that a fat (or formerly fat) guy isn't a foodie. The two don't go hand in hand.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
Cotton for me, baby!

7. Atheist?
Absolutely not!

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated?
I'm an educated gay man, I make a good living (although I can't seem to keep any of it), I think and care about people.

I think I've got liberal written all over me!

[bushwakker]

21. I look like a Secret Service Agent

but think like a flower child.

[mojowork_n]

22. NEWSFLASH

Uh, I'm sure this isn't really news to anyone, but psychological research recently confirmed the prevailing wisdom -- non-conformists and independent thinkers of every persuasion loathe and abhor shallow, incomplete, stuttering, blank-look "stereotypes".

Failure to do so is the intellectual equivalent of a medical "code blue". Like sharks in the ocean who need to keep swimming to survive, not making the extra effort to look past "appearance", to uncover the underlying "reality", is the first sign of impending "lights out"...

...There's a small section in M. Scott Peck's "The Road Less Travelled" (sorry, it's been a long time since I read it, so I don't remember where, exactly) which compares sentient existence to the exercise of "map-making". From the time we first become aware of ourselves and start drawing inferences about the world we live in, people are always shifting and juggling the signposts, shadings and outlines of the "maps" they depend on. "Stereotypes" are good for cheap laughs, but that's about it. Actually relying on them is like having your radio always turned to the "classic oldies" station, the musical equivalent of embalming fluid.... Might as well just pack it in.
_________________________________________
Footnote-- uh, let's see, shorthand summary of requested biographical data... Have never worn birkenstocks or ever even had a ride in a volvo. Rely on internet web-surfing for primary news source, not the NYT.... Although I have to admit it, if the phone ever rang and Maureen Dowd or Paul Krugman called; yes, I'd meet them at Starbucks for coffee. (In fact, if it was Maureen, she'd get to see my favorite Sean Jean {"Puffy"} Combs polo shirt, I'm sure.) ...David Brooks and Thomas Friedman would have to bring bags and bags of take-out from Zabar's or Balducci's, to get me to sit down with them. ...I've smoked hemp maybe 6 or 7 times in the last 15 years, but have never worn accessories or garments fashioned from same. I come from a deeply Christian family background and only hope that I've continued to nurture those spiritual seeds, in faith with The Creator's Plan...

Assorted other Misc. data... English is, technically, my second language. E. European immigrant as kid, but for the last 9 or 10 years or so, have had greens and cornbread at Christmas and Thanksgiving family dinners, and am comfortably enjoying getting past the stereotypes, and being one of the few white faces at the holiday table... Getting pretty darned old, but make it to the gym 4 or 5 times a week... I absolutely *hate it* when I catch someone I know and care about making a fib... let alone High Government Officials, or People Like That, who should know better.

(Come to think of it, maybe I do continue to nourish and maintain a few too many dull stereotypes, for my own good...)

[Iris]

23. You lost me at #6

Hemp is unattractive!

(And, actually, no Volvo, yet, but it will be our next car b/c we live in a city of SUVs).

For #8 - How about "immoral" or "has no values"? That's what many Republicans in GA believe about "liberals".

[mark0rama]

24. Hmmm... not very.

1. Nope. Wear New Balance athletic shoes most of the time, Rockport dress shoes when needed.
2. Nope. Nissan.
3. Cappucino, actually, as lattes are too weak in the coffee. Will give you this one, as the difference is too subtle for yer typical moran.
4. Yep. Used to subscribe on Sundays, now just read it online.
5. I don't think so (I like pizza a lot), but I like lot of ethnic foods (Asian, Indian, Greek) that would probably set off a more provincial right-winger's foo-foo alarm.
6. No, hemp's for smoking, not wearing.
7. Agnostic. Close enough.
8. Not highly educated (less-than-useful bachelor's degree: psychology), occasionally commute by bicycle. Slightly overweight white guy with short hair (but a beard!). So I only fit the stereotype about halfway.

[starroute]

25. Uh, yeah, sort of, but mostly in weird ways

Personally, I think of myself as an over-educated radical-populist with strong geek tendencies and a lot of leftover hippie-ish prejudices. Stereotypical liberals are just a little too clean and shiny to match my self-image. And most of the stuff on your list I indulge in only when I can do it on the cheap.


1. I wore Birkenstock knock-offs for years, after I threw out my Earth Shoes. Now I'm wearing a pair of Nikes, which is probably evil, but I got them on sale and they're insanely comfortable.

2. We did have a Volvo back in the late 80's/early 90's, but only because my parents passed it on to us when they bought a new car. I don't know why they bought it -- probably for quality. These days, I drive an old red Chevy Cavalier.

3. I don't drink coffee. And lattes are a yuppie thing, aren't they? (My son comes along and says, "What about chai?" I say, "I don't think the people who stereotype liberals have even heard of chai.")

4. I grew up in a household that got the New York Times every day and kept buying it on Sundays even after I left New York, until I got pissed at them over their Vietnam War coverage and realized they were a tool of the Establishment.

5. Foo foo food? Yeah, some. Mainly 70's Whole Earth type stuff crossbred with Mexican/Chinese/Indian/Southeast Asian. But the only really foo foo stuff I get come from the local salvage grocery. (They actually sell gourmet items cheaper than name brands because they don't know what they are. It's a great place for finding dented cans of coconut milk.)

6. Hemp clothing? No, not my generation. Also, I can't afford it.

7. Atheist? It gets complicated to explain, but these days I mostly tend to describe myself as a pantheist-agnostic. (Hey, it beats walking.)

8. Education -- Harvard, BA in linguistics. But I hated the place (for reasons I didn't understand then but mostly had to do with it being yet another playground of the Establishment) and spent all my free time hanging out with my geek friends at MIT.

Other? Umm . . . house full of books . . . friends include a lot of teachers and psychologists (and also a lot of carpenters and stone masons) . . . recycle religiously (another 70's thing) . . . two cats . . . went through the whole natural childbirth/midwife/alternative school thing when my kids were born and were little . . . down pillows (but only when I can get them on sale) . . . Land's End T-shirts . . . live in a 1920's bungalow with a big sloppy maple out front and feel a certain amount of contempt for people in developments . . .

[tigereye]

29. I fit some of the stereotype

Birkenstocks - no, sandals and flats and boots. Always meant to get a pair, but never did. I did wear earth shoes in the 70s

Volvo - No. We have Saturns. Volvos are safe, but notoriously hard to have repaired. A lot of my friends have used ones. Wish I had a Jag.

Lattes - check. But not at Starbucks. I like the small indep. local cofeehouses.

NYT - only on Sundays. It is a great paper.

Hemp - no.

Educated - Check. I have a Master's degree and post-master's credits and am a prof. woman. But I went to state- related schools.

Atheist - no. I was raised Catholic, but am now more of a Unitarian or a "Christian Socialist."

Foo-foo Food. Hmm. I'm not a food snob, but we love Thai, Middle Eastern, Indian and a lot of ethnic foods. But my child loves burgers and fries, so I guess that's a no.

I also either dress like a hippie and at times wear a lot of black like the punk I once was. Not sure if that counts. And I read and think, unlike the current occupant of the White House. :)

[guitar man]

26. hehe

1. Birkenstocks- no, either cowboy boots or sneakers

2. Drive a Volvo- Ford 4x4 truck, Lincoln Mark VIII

3. Drink lattes- coffee black, thank you

4. Read the New York Times- yes, online subscrition

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot- bbq, steak, fried chicken, pizza.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?- no, but I've damn sure smoked some :)

7. Atheist? -no, I'm a mixed bag of liberal christian, neo native american and new age. Kind of my own "custom blend" I guess.


8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?- I'm not highly educated from a formal standoint, just an associates degree, but I am constantly seeking knowledge and I don't like being told what to think, that's why I wouldn't make a good conservative.

[tech3149]

27. Pretty much not at all

1 I wear Dexter's mostly, but I do have a $500 pair of Italian shoes
2 6 y/o Civic Most Volvo drivers I know are either saftey weenies
or drive like they have a death wish.
3 Maxwell House (used to be Gevalia but no money now)
4 Don't subscribe to any but read most on-line
5 Meat & potatoes
6 Hemp....naaa
7 non-organized Christian I don't need a church to practice

I do own my own tux, but never wear it. Other than that I'm just a rust-belt blue collar average Joe.

[sbj405]

30. Ummm, maybe just a tad

;-)

1. Birkenstocks
I own three pairs.
2. Drive a Volvo
Nope. Not anymore. I actually drive an American car.
3. Drink lattes
No. But probably just as stereotypical - organic, fair trade made in a French Press.
4. Read the New York Times
Occasionally online
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
Life's too short to eat bad food. Vegetarian foo-foo food, of course.
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
I have some necklaces, but don't wear them too much
7. Atheist?
Yep.

[Gothic Sponge]

31. Me

1. Birkenstocks (NO)
2. Drive a Volvo (No, but i drive a Subaru)
3. Drink lattes (No, but i drink carrot juice)
4. Read the New York Times (Only online, but it's not my primary news site)
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot (What's this? Tofu? Yes, i do. I'm vegetarian)
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? (None that i can think of)
7. Atheist? (Agnostic)

[name not needed]

32. Let's see...

1. Birkenstocks - Nope. Pumas

2. Drive a Volvo - Don't even have a license

3. Drink lattes - Rarely.

4. Read the New York Times - Yeah

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot - I live on easy mac and top ramen. You tell me.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? - Nope.

7. Atheist? - Nope, I just don't like organized religion. Something about going to church weekly for the next 60 years to prevent eternal damnation just annoys me

8. What else? Nope.

[curse10]

33. I wouldn't be caught dead in Birkenstocks

those things are an abomination and should be destroyed!

2. Drive a Volvo- No, I have a Mustange
3. Drink lattes- I don't drink Coffee
4. Read the New York Times- No time to do so
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot- yes. I'm actually the queen of foo-foo food
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?- ummmm... no
7. Atheist?- Yes. Very much so.
8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not? Yes, highly educated. Live in a city. I take public transporation. Drink wine.

[leftistagitator]

34. Hmm, I don't like lattes

Can't afford a Volvo, don't wear birkenstocks, love meat and potatoes although my brother has gotten me interested in Japanese rice rolls, which I guess are kind of foo-foo. The only thing I do with hemp is smoke it, but I do read the NYT and I'm not religous anymore. Oh yeah, I'm a college boy. But I'm also a Texan, so I guess I'm half redneck half fancy-pants elitest liberal. I just can't afford the fancy pants right now.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

36. You made me laugh out loud

with your last line. That's me too.

[NightTrain]

37. Here's me....

<<1. Birkenstocks>>

I don't even know what those are!

<<2. Drive a Volvo>>

Try a 1987 Plymouth Grand Fury.

<<3. Drink lattes>>

Bleah!

<<4. Read the New York Times>>

See #3.

<<5. Eat foo-foo food a lot>>

Nope; I'm a junk food junkie.

<<6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?>>

Not that I'm aware of.

<<7. Atheist?>>

Yes.

<<8. Highly educated?>>

Two years of community college; no degree.

Geez, I realy oughta be a freeper! :wtf: happened to me?

[rucky]

38. I do the NYT crossword

does that count?

other than that, none of the above.

I get my coffee on the inside.

[Eurobabe]

39. only one answer

1. Birkenstocks (had a pair, daughter stole 'em, but that's okay because I tripped going up the steps of the library at school and almost killed myself, they never stayed on!)
2. Drive a Volvo (Almost bought one, but went for '04 Acura TL)
3. Drink lattes (no just local coffee house joe for me)
4. Read the New York Times (online version, yes)
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot (I eat organic meat and dairy, is that FOO-FOO?)
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? (no, just all cotton stuff)
7. Atheist? (Agnostic, spiritual, but no dogmas thank you!)
8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? (I guess, have Master's degree, when did being edumacated become such a BAD thing?)

[Maestro]

40. Holy Crap!

I'm none of those. I guess I need to start watching Faux News.

Wait, I do drink Venti, non-fat, vanilla lattes.

[SOteric]

41. Hrm... I hadn't heard that liberals were that into 'foo foo' food...

Me:

1. Birkenstocks

Nope. And I shave my legs too, so if we're looking into that all natural fibers/Birkies/doesn't shave and uses crystal deodorants stereotype, I don't much fit. In fact I wear heels and suits to work on a regular basis Monday-Thursday.

2. Drive a Volvo

I drive a convertible sports car.

3. Drink lattes

20 oz with 4 shots of espresso.

4. Read the New York Times

I do the crosswords every weekend...in ink.

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot

I'm not sure what you're calling 'foo foo' but I'm betting I eat fairly well comparitively. My mother and my elder brother were classically trained as chefs and work in industry. My father is an importer/distributor of gourmet food items. I can tear it up in the kitchen.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?

No.

7. Atheist?

Practicing Catholic.

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype?

Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?

I have graduate degrees. I'm exceptionally well read. Rumour has it I'm pretty bright.


Stereotypes I have heard about liberals:

• Long hair,
  
• tree-hugging environmentalists,
  
• lots of body art and piercings,
  
• listen to NPR, watch public television,
  
• are jobless or have alternative/artistic careers,
  
• are bleedinghearts and whiners,
  
• drink alcohol and smoke pot,
  
• are obsessed with and near constantly engaged in kinky sex
  

[Endangered Specie]

42. Very little, in fact, I fit alot of conservative stereotypes:

-Big Southern (+accent) White Male who wears baseball caps.

[flamingyouth]

43. Yep, you've pretty much described me to a T

Drive a Volvo, live in a renovated 1914 Craftsman bungalow, drink (not lattes but) tea, have subscribed to the NYT since high school, exist mainly on foo-foo food, own several pieces of hemp clothing. Not an atheist, but I'm a pagan.

Oh, and I live in Seattle, in the 7th congressional district, represented by none other than Jim McDermott.:)

On edit, I also wear Birkenstocks on occasion.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

44. Stereotypes are stupid. nt

[lojasmo]

45. well...here goes.

Birks
ear rings
goatee
shaved bald ?
drive a 45 MPG car
funky glasses
work as a nurse
best friend is gay
live in an old house (hate new houses)
Tattered clothing
son has VERY long hair...people think he's a girl.

[SmileyBoy]

46. Not as much as I fit into the conservative American stereotype.

I never shop at Wal-Mart, I only get my news from CBC and the BBC, and I never drink Coke and Pepsi, but I drink other pops made by those companies. I hate Coca-Cola especially. I have a John Kerry bumpersticker on my car, and I hate McDonald's. And I don't drive an American car. My car also gets very good gas mileage (33 mpg).

Other than that, I love shopping malls, I drive quite a bit (though I'm trying to cut down), I love many kinds of fast food, football is my life, and I go out drinking with the guys like a normal guy would.

I'm not a quintessential American, but I'm a typical American. A liberal American.

[ForrestGump]

47. Not well at all

1. Birkenstocks
No

2. Drive a Volvo
No -- but I do spend a lot of time avoiding them, given that they seem to be one of the non-SUV cars of choice for the Truly Bad Driver.

3. Drink lattes
No. Nor any other kindof coffee. Not big on brie, either.

4. Read the New York Times
No

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
Um...I don't know. Don't usually eat much meat, if that's the key, but what I do eat tends to be pretty down-to-Earth most of the time.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
No

7. Atheist?
No. Not a 'believer,' either.

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?
If it is, that's me. Have a PhD. Not doing me a ton of good right now, though.

[blondeatlast]

49. Call me a Lipstick Liberal! My college education is the only .

thing that would make you think I'm anything other than a Bergdorf blonde.

I'm a dyed blonde who wears makeup and shoes with heels and my dream car is a Solara convertible (at least it's a Toyota--does that count at all?)!

No hemp in my closet; no, not even THAT kind!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

51. Liberal chick by stereotype? Let's see...

1. Birkenstocks? Nope. They look comfortable but they're too ugly for my taste and too expensive for me. I'm more a TJ Maxx/Marshall's dept. store kind of gal. If I can find a pair of cute sandals there, I'm happy.

2. Drive a Volvo? Nope. First car was a Plymouth Sundance Duster. Now I drive a Toyota Camry.

3. Drink lattes? Nope. Prefer herbal teas.

4. Read the New York Times? Yep, on occasion. Can't stand the local conservative bullshit paper here in Central VA.

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot Huh?

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? Nope, never even smoked the other kind. I'm so square.

7. Atheist? No, Jewish.

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype?
Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?

Have a Bachelor's degree. No higher education than that, though my degree is in English, so it is in the "liberal" arts. I attended poetry readings, which I enjoyed, in college.

[tedoll78]

52. I'll play along.

I don't own Birkenstocks. Yuck.

No volvo for me.. too boxxy.

I have an espresso maker, but it's gathering dust.

I seldom read the NYT.

Foo-foo food? Eh? I like steak, etc..

Hemp? Is that available? And is it still legal?

Agnostic.

Adding my own:
Homosexual: why, yes! In an 8-year old relationship. Monogamous, btw.

Southern.

Very family-oriented. I plan on moving back to New Orleans soon to be closer to my family. Austin is nice and all, but it's nothing compared to seeing my family every week.

My partner is a redneck-ish Air Force veteran. He's teaching me some shop/carpentry/mechanical skills. We can take apart a carburator & re-assemble it, do some simple welding, do most routine plumbing, etc.

I dress fairly regularly. T-shirt and cargo shorts or jeans. I hate labels of any kind. No A&F, no DKNY, no Hugo Boss, or whatever the gays like these days. I am kinda sloppy in appearance.. a Schlomo, if you will. I shave once a week (maybe twice), even though I always have a 5 o'clock shadow the following day. And my hair is a crime.

I take my female friends out for abortions all the time! Just kidding. I've actually advised against abortions though. Adoption is a nice thing.

I'm not lazy. I've been known to hold two jobs for long periods of time, just to get a little bit ahead. Of coure, in a Bush economy, that "ahead" money quickly vanishes..

I listen to NPR. Every day. Ya got me. Prairie Home Companion is great, as are Click and Clack. And I miss Bob Edwards.

I long for the Clinton years. He wasn't perfect, but life almost was. Good court appointees, good speeches, good grammar. THe music was even better back then. And people were getting nice jobs - right outta college. Hell, even Saturday Night Live was better back then. I think his aura of optimism/humor/confidence subconsciously transferred all throughout society back then. Naaah..

I'll bet good money that we're not alone in the universe. The odds are too great that we aren't.

I have a bumper sticker on my truck once four years. You guessed it: whomever our candidate happens to be. I also ride a motorcycle.

There ya go.. an idea of how I do/do not fit the liberal stereotypes..

[ulysses]

53. .5 out of 8

I occasionally buy organic food. No to everything else.

[Dogmudgeon]

54. The BKL Inventory

1. Birkenstocks
Nope. K-Mart running shoes with velcro straps.

2. Drive a Volvo
Nope. 1996 Chevy Cavalier.

3. Drink lattes
No again. Folger's coffee bags, sometimes No-Doz. I'm not even sure what a latte is, except that it's an Italian word for "milk".

4. Read the New York Times
Philadelphia Inquirer -- a whore paper now.

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
I used to eat tofu when it was cheap, but I gave it up after the studies showed that it greatly reduces testosterone. (Yes, I think testosterone is good for you, and it does NOT make men nasty and arrogant -- unless that's what you're into.)

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
Nothin'. Hemp should be kept inside the body.

7. Atheist?
No. I'm a staunch member of the Church Of Being Scared Shitless Of Dying.

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?
Stereotypes? If you want to live a stereotypical life, knock yourself out. But your own life would be much more interesting.

Yes, I'm "highly educated" -- I read a lot. No, I'm not a millionaire yet. I'm entrepreneurially oriented, but unlike most entrepreneurs-manqués, I think Ayn Rand was an idiot. And I never went to a protest to get laid (which is probably accounted for by the fact that I am too god damn lazy).

Is that enough?

Is it ever?

--bkl

[WindRavenX]

55. Some...

1. Birkenstocks-no
2. Drive a Volvo-no
3. Drink lattes-no; but I am a coffee freak
4. Read the New York Times- every single damn day
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot- yes. Tons of salad.
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?-no
7. Atheist?- yes
8. What else?- educated (well, ok, on the PATH to becoming educated)

[drumwolf]

56. Here's mine....

1. Birkenstocks
I did once own a pair, but I was much more inclined to wear Doc Martens.

2. Drive a Volvo
I've never even been able to afford a car, let alone a Volvo.

3. Drink lattes
I did regularly drink lattes for a short period of time, and for a long time I regularly drank mochas (which I believe are lattes with chocolate). Now I just drink coffee, but I do spend a lot of time in exactly the kind of trendy hipster coffeehouses in SF that serve lattes.

4. Read the New York Times
Yes, regularly.

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
I eat a lot of burritos, shawarma and Indian food, and I used to eat sushi very regularly, so I'm guessing that I do eat a lot of food that Freepers would consider "foo-foo."

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
Not to my knowledge. :)

7. Atheist?
I'm agnostic, and to many fundies, same difference -- atheists and agnostics are both secular.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

57. I would rather die than wear Birkenstocks

I read the NY Times on days Paul Krugman writes his column, and I don't drink lattes and only occasionally eat frou frou food. So I don't fit the stereotype though many in my city Cambridge do.

[Obamarama]

58. You can have my Volvo when you pry my cold, dead fingers off the wheel...

Lets see....I subscribe to the Sunday NYT.....downed not one, but TWO Venti Cafe Lattes from Fourbucks (Starbuck's) today....went to the gourmet food shop down the road to buy nicoise olives, camembert cheese, a bottle of Lindemann's Framboise and some Plugra (clarified butter).

Yeah, paint me a big, ole' liberal.

[Taverner]

59. Not really

1. Birkenstocks - nope, not since college
2. Drive a Volvo - Saturn actually
3. Drink lattes - no I like my coffee like I like my women, bitter and strong!
4. Read the New York Times - That GOP rag?
5. Eat foo-foo food a lot - usually eat a lot of meat
6. Do you wear anything made of hemp? - Nope, that stuff is ugly
7. Atheist? - Nope, deist with serious reservations about organized religion.

[smirkymonkey]

60. Well, kind of

1. Birkenstocks
I own a few pairs, but never wear them (they are very comfortable as long as nobody sees you in them). Considered a form of birth control for single women.

2. Drive a Volvo
Used to, now I live in NYC and don't drive. I saw the ad where they drove the Volvo off a cliff and the passenger section was still intact. Since I thought that looked like something I would do, I got a Volvo just to be on the safe side.

3. Drink lattes
No, Americanos w/ Heavy Cream, but trying not to drink coffee at all. Bothers my stomach.

4. Read the New York Times
Well, it's my local paper, so I do occasionally, but get most of my news online.

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
Depends on what this is - Shop at Whole Foods, farmers market, eat out a lot. I am a foodie, but it has more to do w/ an appreciation of good food than anything else.

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
No, never.

7. Atheist?
I would consider myself a gnostic, loosely speaking.

8. Highly Educated. I suppose so, BA Economics, MA Health Education, Voracious reader, well traveled, fairly worldly.

[HamHocks4Kerry]

61. As far as appearance, not really. Philosophy? Far left.

[scottcsmith]

62. Not a one

Who dreams up these stereotypes? It's kind of silly. Also, in "real life" I don't talk politics at all, and if you were to meet me, you'd never know I was the same guy who writes those crazy columns at The Smirking Chimp dot com and Counter Bias dot com. I save the political stuff for my columns and web site. I hate lattes, have never read a single issue of the New York Times, do not drive a Volvo, am hemp-free, and as far as "foo-foo" food goes, I like Indian...is that "foo-foo"? I believe in God. I'm not college educated. I'm a military veteran. So, I certainly do not fit the mold of the stereotypical leftie.

[BiggJawn]

63. I don't match that list, either, and THEN some!

Birkeys? Sorry, Not me, but I think my ex wife or her girlfriend own some.

Volvo? I'd rather drive a Trabant before I'd sit in a Volvo.

What's Latte?

I don't read the NYT, but I do listen to the BBC and Radio Canada. Does that count?

"Foo-Foo Food"? Like fake meat made from soybeans and Sushi and all that stuff? Sure, it's TASTY!

I'm a "Retro-Grouch" with my bikes. You bet I use Hemp twine for various things...

Yes, I am an Atheist.

But! oh, but wait!
I'm not allergic to guns. I don't break out in hives at the mention of "Smith and Wesson"...So that's PROOF I don't fit the stereotype of a "Typical Liberal"....

Too bad for some ditto-head who thinks he's gonna strike an easy blow for Rush and Country, eh? :evilgrin:

[Longhorn]

64. I'm an atheist with a master's degree.

Other than that, I must not fit the stereotype because most people seem surprised to find out my views.

[bookfreak]

65. Let's see

I have fake Birkenstocks
I'm addicted to latte
I'm an atheist dabbling in Buddhism

I don't really read newspapers much other than the local papers every now and then because they bore me. Volvos are ugly and boxy. Foo-foo food is, well, foo foo. I'm more down to Earth...Yo quiero Taco Bell (although I do have a few exotic tastes like maple sugar candy and Starbucks).

I don't know about "highly" educated...I've had four years of college and I read books and some magazines like a fiend. I'm going to go for my MLS when I get the time and money.

So, I don't know, maybe I am somewhere in between....

[Guy_Montag]

66. Part of the "Liberal Elite" here,

1. What?
2. Cycle (though I do have a gas-guzzling 60's sports car, but it only comes out on sunny weekends - so twice a year).
3. Drink Fairtrade tea & coffee.
4. Read the Guardian or Independant(occasionally the Telegraph or Times to see what the opposition are up to). Never sink so low as to read tabloids.
5. Foo-foo food? Well I'm a complete food snob. My olives are stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, not reconstituted pimento. My chicken is free range corn fed.
6. Nope.
7. Agnostic.
8.1 Well educated,
8.2 Work in a university.
8.3 Parents crusty, old Tories.
8.4 Private school education.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-cyclopedia/1070504.stm

[RFKHumphreyObama]

67. Let's see

1. Birkenstocks
I’m not even sure what Birkenstocks are, let alone wear them



2. Drive a Volvo

Nope. I tend to rely on public transport quite significantly to get around due to a disability that prevents me from driving

3. Drink lattes

Occasionally, but I prefer Frappucinos and iced coffees

4. Read the New York Times

I am an online subscriber but I do not read on a frequent basis. I tend to get my foreign news and coverage of US elections mostly from the BBC and of course from a few centrist-leaning publications in my own country

5. Eat foo-foo food a lot
Nope

6. Do you wear anything made of hemp?
Nope

7. Atheist?

While I’m not a regular churchgoer, I do have a deep and profound belief in the Christian faith

8. What else? Can you add anything that you find in that stereotype? Highly educated? Is that part of the stereotype or not?

Not highly educated. Went through high school and completed a university degree but didn’t do Honours (although I may choose to do so at a later date)