I still believe that most people have good intentions. People are naturally a social species, so we naturally enjoy interacting with one another. Obviously, we use words to communicate; we talk and talk and talk on a daily basis. Unfortunately with the amount of conversations we have in a lifetime, we are bound to offend other people from time to time – whether it is intentional or not.
Well, below is a compiled list of seven rude phrases that are used quite often. When people say these, they most likely do not mean to hurt the other’s feelings, but that is the result. Check out the list. Have you said these before? Today?
1. "Have you lost weight?"
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This may be the most commonly used phrase on the list. To reiterate, I believe most people mean well. I get it. All you are trying to do is compliment the person on their hard work in shedding some noticeable weight. Simultaneously, though, you are implying that they were overweight before, which they already know, hence the weight loss. Still, they may not want to hear it again! Instead, you can tell him/her that they look great! This will only build the person up with no tear down.
2. "When are you due?"
I think that most people have been advised not to say this one. You see a woman with what can’t possibly be mistaken as anything other than a baby bump. In fact, it is way more than a bump to you; it is a new life which is exciting, so curiosity leads you to ask when she is due. I get it. But what if she is not pregnant? Instead, she has been drinking too many beers, or more seriously, she has fibroids. Well, you just offended her. Instead, ask how the person has been. If they are pregnant, they will most likely bring it up. If not, just leave it alone.
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3. "How many more kids are you going to have?"
This statement suggests that they already have enough and that any more would be too much. It is a very suggestive statement, and the recipient will definitely take it like that. Maybe ask instead if they see more children in their future.
4. "How old are you?"
Look, the world keeps spinning. Days come and go. Every single second we are a second older. So age is a sore subject for some. Do I look old? Regardless, it is rude to ask someone their age. It is just a reminder of their mortality.
5. "I spent a lot of money on…"
So what? When your conversations always consist of how much money you shell out, you will come off as snobbish and shallow. Plus you can make someone feel financially substandard. Delete this phrase altogether.
6. "You look tired!"
Maybe there are exceptions to this one. For example, if one of your close friends told you this, you probably would not be offended. But telling someone who is not so close that they “look tired” is rude because it insinuates that they look bad. You’re certainly saying they don’t look good. And if it turns out to be a sleep deprivation issue, then the person just has to catch up on sleep. Easy. But what if they just came off a full eight hours of sleep (at least seven hours a night is recommended for adults), and this is their normal face? Just stay away from this statement, okay? Again, this is a circumstance in which you can simply ask the person how they are (it is important not to ask if the person is okay because this also suggests that it looks like something is wrong).
7. "Are you still single?"
Evident in this article, you never know what a person is going through. When we become adults, sometimes it is hard to balance everything. We go on with our professional lives, but maybe our social life is lagging. Scarily, some people lose sight on how to click with someone on a romantic level or even cannot find one that “connects” with them. This does not mean that at least a few great matches are not out there because they definitely are. But this doesn’t mean you’ve found them, yet. Asking someone if they are still single can be a disheartening reminder that they still have not found someone. The recipient may begin to think that something is wrong with them, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this also reminds the person of his/her age (double whammy!). Chances are, if they're seeing someone special, you'll know when they want you to know.
