This post is inspired by Authentically Aurora’s post here. Her post reminded me of a lot of things I’ve heard on a regular basis that people seem to think are socially acceptable to say.
1. Why are you so quiet/you’re so quiet.
Yes, I know that I’m quiet. Thank you for pointing it out to me yet again, I had forgotten. That’s definitely going to make me want to talk more. I’m also struck by the temptation to reply “that’s because you’re so loud”, but I try to stifle rude comments, something I wish others would do 🙂
2. You look tired.
I don’t understand why people still say this. I know I look tired, because chances are, I am tired. I was just hoping that no one else would notice, or at least that they wouldn’t say anything. Or sometimes, I feel great and someone will say this. And I’m like, thanks for telling me that I look terrible.
3. Why aren’t you talking?
Hmm, probably because you’re dominating the conversation. Or the conversation isn’t really interesting me that much. Or I’m just feeling very overwhelmed and can’t focus. Oh wait, now you’re talking about something else and aren’t even listening to me, why do I even try…
4. What do you think about (insert topic)? Then they continue speaking without allowing response time.
Thank you for trying to include me, but you have to actually let me answer in order for this to be a conversation. Otherwise, you are just talking to yourself.
5. Have you met someone nice?
I know you mean a guy. Thank you for reminding me that I’m single, and telling me that I can’t possibly be happy that way. Even complete strangers have asked about my marital status. I don’t even understand…
There are definitely more, but those were the ones that came to mind pretty quickly. Apologies for the high levels of sarcasm, I have a pretty low tolerance for things like this 🙂
So what do you think people should never say?
Image credit: “Sitting in the Park” by Giacomo Carena is licensed under CC by 2.0
welcome to my little piece of quiet 
Haha, yes… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
One that irritates me is, “Well, that’s stupid.” Or other comments implying the same.
If you’re going to ask me what my opinion of something is, then don’t make me feel stupid for sharing it with you. That’s not going to make me talk more. In fact, it’s a sure fire way for me to check out of the conversation for the rest of forever.
Another one is, “You’re too serious.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get those a lot too, especially the “you’re too serious” one. Thanks for sharing yours 🙂
LikeLike
One, three and five. Story of my life. Haha 🙂
That and “don’t worry, we’ll get you talking eventually.”
That actually makes me want to rebel and refuse to talk at all. And this bothers people because I can literally go hours without a single sound.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, that’s a good one too, thanks for sharing. When people say stuff like that, I usually refuse to cooperate, but that’s probably just my stubborn side coming out. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I’m so honored I inspired this post! Thanks for the pingback. #1!!! I get that all the time. People can say the most ridiculous (and thoughtless things), can’t they?! But then… sometimes they say wonderful things, too. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, people can say some really wonderful things too, I’ll have to make a separate post about that one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, the “you’re so quiet!” comment always bothers me. Its never meant to be an insult, merely an observation. I’m sure there are other observational comments that bother people, i.e. “you’re so tall!”. It makes an individual feel like an oddity. There’s always been a certain pattern to this comment in my life: I will be in a group setting, listening, smiling, laughing and commenting occasionally, really just being comfortable being my true self, feeling like a piece in the social puzzle. Then comes the “you’re so quiet!” comment. I politely agree with a little laugh and then after that I feel myself withdraw emotionally. I feel frustration, embarrassment, like I was “doing it” all wrong somehow, even though it all felt pretty natural to me.
LikeLiked by 2 people