"Real People": America's Favorite Phrase

[Ninonybox_v1legacy]

This has been a phrase that always perplexed me, and now with this government shutdown I am hearing it all over. "This will affect real people". As apposed to what, androids? I know they are referring to the average american or civilians. But it strikes me as such an odd phrase....."Real people". Is it just me?

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

It's just a way of saying most people, I think.

 

[Voulan]

I think it's referring to the everyday person with everyday concerns, rather than perhaps wealthier or privileged people.

This is from a non-American, mind.

 

[Abomination]

Rather than talking about a demographic in this case, as a sort of soulless mass, it's attempting to say that

"That guy down the street you know? Nice fella, has 2 kids and is paying off his mortgage? Well, his wife works for the government and if she doesn't get paid his family can't make their mortgage this week or they can't afford their groceries. Now he isn't going to let his kids starve because he's a good father so he's going to miss the mortgage payment instead - and the bank is gonna fuck him with late fees because of it."

Of course, it's faster to just say "real people" and hope people think of the example I gave rather than think we're talking about how this is the first step into the androids having more benefits than us.

 

[Muspelheim]

It's a bit of a clumpsy term. It does imply that only a certain section of human beings are real people.

If I may be cynical for a moment... People who work their arses off to pay thrice the sensible price for a dollhouse made out of plaster and plywood that they hate, but are stuck with. Who are also expected to foot the bill with a smile whenever the highborne gamble away other people's money.

The moment they need welfare aid, they are no longer considered real people, either.

 

[TheIceQueen]

Rather than talking about a demographic in this case, as a sort of soulless mass, it's attempting to say that

"That guy down the street you know? Nice fella, has 2 kids and is paying off his mortgage? Well, his wife works for the government and if she doesn't get paid his family can't make their mortgage this week or they can't afford their groceries. Now he isn't going to let his kids starve because he's a good father so he's going to miss the mortgage payment instead - and the bank is gonna fuck him with late fees because of it."

Of course, it's faster to just say "real people" and hope people think of the example I gave rather than think we're talking about how this is the first step into the androids having more benefits than us.

You. You made me giggle. Thank you for that. I appreciate this dry sort of humor, especially in this situations like this one.

I don't have anything to contribute because you summed it up. I just wanted to tell you to shine on, you dry diamond.

 

[Hero of Lime]

It should be "normal people" or "average Americans" though as bad as this situation could be if not resolved soon, the whole government shutdown is being overblown to say the least. There have been 17 shutdowns since 1977, usually lasting about from one to three days, as this one probably will too. The U.S. didn't crumble after all of those and it won't crumble now. It's just something for news outlets to go crazy over to scare people into tuning in.

Politicians are stubborn creeps, but not stupid, they probably have already worked most of the problems out that would concern "real people" in the long run anyway.

 

[Robot Number V]

American here, and I have no idea what you're talking about. Mind saying exactly where you heard this phrase?

 

[Spambot 3000]

Well it's not like it's factually incorrect, anything that happens isn't going to affect all the imaginary people now is it?

 

[KeyMaster45]

The moment they need welfare aid, they are no longer considered real people, either.

This^

User was beaten with a club in his sleep for this post.

Real people, as opposed to people who don't work, make a living off their husband's desk job and inexplicably pull in enough money to pay for their 3+ kid family to take quarterly vacations to the Keyes.
You know, the kind of people who say things like "poor people just need to work harder."

I think what they were pointing out is that according to the media you drop out of the "real people" category when your situation in life forces you to use government assistance. At that point you either become known as "less fortunate" or "leech" depending on who's "reporting".

 

[Akytalusia]

i've actually never heard of this term, but it sounds awfully silly. it's probably just some new age way to say 'common people' if i had to guess.

edit: though from reading some of these posts, the real meaning's probably something that's likely to piss me off. so i'm gonna stop thinking about it now.

 

[Kevin Lyons]

I think the term could apply to people living lives, as opposed to numbers of people represented by a statistic.

 

[Gary Thompson]

It's just a phrase politicians use to talk about the people they want to suck up too.

Usually whatever people they want voting for them, and because most people consider themselves "real people" they assume they're talking about them, instead of people they consider "fake".

Which is usually the opposing ideology that doesn't vote for that guy.

 

[SinisterGehe]

Well I translate my languages "Real people", "Kunnoliset kansalaiset"
Basically it means those people who live their lives, obey the laws and rules, cause no trouble, you never hear of them, but they are the frame of the society.

 

[Drago-Morph]

I think it's based on the idea of "ten is a tragedy, a million is a statistic". Like, if they just throw out numbers then people don't really care; so there's that reminder that, no, these aren't just numbers, that the numbers represent something. Hence emphasizing that "real people" will be effected by something.

 

[Xdeser2]

American here

Im pretty sure it just means ordinary people, as opposed to the Rich Wealthy and Privileged.

Personally, I find the phrase dumb. its just another Buzzword, which politicians fall back on when they cant think of something meaningful to say and want applause.

 

[Fox12]

Political jargon meant to stir up Mr. blue collar Joe. This is going to affect YOU. Of course, most people don't realize they're just being manipulated.