Do you have any idea how much we do that? Pretty up what we're going to say in an attempt to make it, I don't know, hurt less?
I'm sorry, but...
I hate to have to tell you, but...
Can I ask you something?
I don't mean to be rude, but...
Can I ask you a personal question?
Don't take this the wrong way, but...
I know it's none of my business, but...
Sometimes, maybe it's necessary, and sometimes it helps make something difficult a little more polite, but sometimes I think people use these openers as an excuse to say something they really just shouldn't say at all.
I mean, really, "I hate to be rude..."? Okay, then don't.
Easy fix.
Or am I just over-sensitive?
9 comments:
so, what if it is fiollowed by something innapropriate, but not bad? Case in point.. I overheard a man tell a woman today "Don't take this the wrong way, but... you have an incredible ass!"
This was said in the workplace, so borderline harrassment, except the girl loved the attention.
I agree, sometimes we need those phrase to get out what follows, I actually used the I'm sorry but... yesterday to tell my online guy that I'm not re-booking the ticket to come see him. I've got the plague/death flu and am not traveling in this condition, so I canceled my trip for the weekend - in the process I realized that I am really not that into him - he's a great guy, he's just not THE great guy for me.
Someone once told me to be careful using the word "but," because it's a verbal eraser. It negates everything you said before it. And it's true, if you think about it. "I'm sorry, but I really hate the sound of your voice." If someone said that to you, what would you hear? The apology, or the insult? I'd only hear the insult.
Yes, when I hear those phrases my heart drops through the floor. Sometimes it's politer to be briefer and more to-the-point.
i think we are just selfish and dont want to look like beeeeyotches !
Slinger, I don't know what to say because I'm still laughing at that line!
Jenn, sorry about the plague/death flu. Gah. But, also, good that you figured out that he's not quite the guy for you, yay! Boo, death plague though ; )
Laura, man oh, man does the word "but" do just that for me. "I'm sorry but" all of a sudden means nothing. "I love you, but" means even less. Dude. I totally only hear the insult.
Aurora, sometimes they prepare in the worst way, don't they? :(
Leaha, yeah, I don't ever want to look like one of those! hee.
Isn't the proper definition... placing one's ass comfortably on a sofa whilst laying back relaxing and enjoying a game of footy??
Phrase: I couched through two games on the weekend... it was tough.
Ya, I'm big into couching.
;o) lol
Ahhhh, hah hah hah hah!
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