A visit from the UK

[Richard]

Hi,

I'm from the UK and just stumbled across this website by accident.

Here we have no such thing as polygraph tests - in fact most of the population wouldn't know what the word means!

UK society seems to work quite well without such things.

Certainly any pre-employment test of any sort would be found insulting and laughable. Job interviews and perhaps the taking up of references from prior employers are the norm.

(I believe that maybe one or two firms operate drug tests here - but I'm not totally sure about this)

So how the heck did lie detectors come to be used in the US?

And the key question: why do people put up with it?

I find it even more odd because America is supposed to be the land of the free and to be a population of driven dynamic people ... not a population of people who submit to taking lie detector tests.

Whatever happened to trusting people?

[quickfix]

It's called "trust but verify".  But let's not forget your country invaded ours twice in order to quash our quest for democracy (and got your asses kicked both times).  Democracy?  Which country has a "queen" and a "royal" family?  And which country sent out press gangs to fill their Navy ranks?  Oh, let's also not forget the flogging of sailors and "kissing the gunner's daughter". You can take your idea of democracy and your queen and shove them both up your ass.

[stefano]

If it is verified, then it is not trust. If I put a tail on my wife to make sure she's not cheating, am I verifying my trust in her?  :-/

[stefano]

You can take your idea of democracy and your queen and shove them both up your ass. 

Bill, want to reconsider the sociopath opinion? Other choices could include:

antisocial personality, insane person, lunatic, mad person, maniac, mental case, nutcase, psycho, psychotic, schizoid, unstable personality, or just plain asshole.

Actually, Quickfix does a great service to this website--accurately demonstrating the genre of "professionals" who have the con on this instrument.

I encourage you and pailryder to switch sides; both of you could really help to rectify these inequities and probably double your income in the process.

[Bill_Brown]

Stefano,

I am without words on this one.  Guess 6/18/1812 is with us too this day in some persons.  I just hate brands.  I'm sure quickfix will respond and possibly clarify. 

Richard,

polygraph is used in the UK by your government. 

[quickfix]

Bill:not sure what you need clarification on.  A British national offering his two cents on something he is not subject to, and doesn't even know polygraph is used on some Brits.  Comparing his country to ours concerning citizens' rights?  A country whose naval officers used to flog their sailors for minor offenses?  Don't get me wrong, I like the Brits as much as anyone, but his holier than thou spiel required a reply, and thanks to freedom of speech, we can do that in this country.  As for Stefano, I guess it's "Doctor" Stefano now.  Congrats, I didn't know you have a degree in psychiatry.  Able to make a psychiatric diagnosis right over the web!  Wow, former examiner, psychiatrist; what else, lawyer, too?  You sound very similar to one of our former examiners, asked to leave our program for sub-standard performance.  He declared, "I will bring down polygraph!" as he carried his personal possessions out the door.  Very similar to you, always has to have the last word on any thread posted.  Keep up the good work dispensing your "expert" advice.  You give us a good laugh up here every day with your jibberish.

[stefano]

No I am not a former disgruntled polygrapher. Asking me if I have been to polygraph school is like asking the Commander of the Space Shuttle if he has a private pilot's license.

[pailryder]

stef

You know that shuttle doesn't fly anymore.

[stefano]

You know that shuttle doesn't fly anymore. 

Better to keep your job as a polygrapher; your wit is running dry.

[stefano]

It's kind of amusing that when they run out of sound arguments, that they resort to Eddie Haskell-ism.

[stefano]

You give us a good laugh up here every day with your jibberish. 

Yes, I can imagine all of you chortling away in the corner of the donut shop, puffing on Pall Mall non-filters with your Crown Victorias in the parking lot.

[pailryder]

steffels

If you want to discuss stale takes, lets start with your donut shop references.  You use that in every other post.

[stefano]

I find it even more odd because America is supposed to be the land of the free and to be a population of driven dynamic people ... not a population of people who submit to taking lie detector tests.

I agree. I'm astonished that these applicants submit themselves to this humiliating experience, then walk away defeated and broken.

You probably have realized by now that this forum has a peanut gallery of sophomoric polygraphers who, lacking an effective argument, deteriorate into a rabble. Your comments are welcome here regardless of your country of origin or opinion.

[stefano]

Pailryder,

I was serious about my recommendation that you switch sides. You would make a lot more money and reverse this process of morphing into a cantankerous old shell.

[stefano]

If you want to discuss stale takes, lets start with your donut shop references.You use that in every other post.

Sometimes you just come across a keeper!