there you go. He's got 1 years worth experience. I've got 9 years experience under my belt and I do not consider myself anywhere near being an expert. I'm sure many other members have much more than me (eg. mojo). Every day, I learn something new, whether it be through someone else's experience of my own.
you also contradicted yourself. You said they completely ignore other fish in the tank, yet your dad's choked on a cory cat....
Just because 90% of people do it, does that make it right? If all of your friends killed people, does that make it right for you to do?
AND the moral of the story: Buy the fish that you want. Who cares what people think?
Is that the statement of a responsible fishkeeper?? No, in my opinion it's not. If you truly loved tinfoil barbs, you'd advise people to steer clear of them if they do not have the required tank space.