The Slice: Imparting wisdom to the ignorant often a tough task

Here’s the problem with people thinking they are clever.

Spokane’s Tom Latimer, who is almost 80, dislikes it when strangers and casual acquaintances greet him with, “Hello there, young man!”

“I resent this,” he wrote. “It’s as though the greeter thinks it is amusing to me to be reminded that I sure as heck am an old man.”

It isn’t.

He wondered if Slice readers might have suggestions about how he might handle such encounters.

Whacking these people with a cane comes to mind, but I don’t know Tom and it would be ageist of me to assume he uses one.

Try to remember: The broader, diverse geographic “South Hill” of reality and the “South Hill” of cultural stereotypes aren’t the same.

Just a reminder: If you are obnoxious and boring about your college football fandom, you can be assured that some of your co-workers actively root for your team’s opponents.

True or false: In Spokane, 75 percent of the people in medical waiting rooms look like they are dressed to do some yard work or wash the car.

Don’t look now: But the Ice Palace reopens next month.

Today’s Slice question: When there is contention over some large or small public policy matter, many people around here are quick to suggest that those who disagree with them embody the attitudes that prevent Spokane from being all that it can be.

Happens all the time.

Don’t agree with me? Well, then you are exactly what’s wrong with Spokane.

Don’t share my opinion? That’s precisely what’s holding Spokane back.

Often this is accompanied by name-calling. It usually doesn’t make for productive debate.

Anyway, here’s the question.

What, in your recollection, was the all-time most ridiculous playing of the “This is indicative of the whole problem with Spokane” card?