. . . and then proceed to say something outrageously offensive? This doesn't happen all the time, but a lot of the time it does. (Ex. "No offense, but that outfit makes you look really ugly.") You could say instead, "No offense, but that shirt isn't very flattering to your figure. A scoop neck might look better on you." Or something like that, that's just an example.
2006-06-15 18:17:29 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
People say "no offense" before they something offensive because they have not matured enough to figure out another way to criticize. They hope that by saying that, you will overlook that fact that what they said was offensive. Instead of saying "that shirt makes you look fat" their criticism would be more acceptable if they said something like "you know, that shirt doesn't accentuate your figure as well as it could. Maybe another style would suit you better."
2006-06-15 18:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by sail blower 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tend to think it's a softening measure - that the person is about to be honest - unfortunately, often brutally so - but they say "no offense" to mean the the comment was not intended as a insult but a remark.
Of course...those two can be interchangable, too.
I think that if people feel they need to say "no offense" - then theres a risk of offense...and if there is, then they should look for a more indirect, polite way to point out the facts...
2006-06-15 19:01:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people say no offense because they are trying to spare your feelings. Others say no offense so you won't get mad at them. Even when they do do that, it still comes out bad. It probably wasn't intended but it happened so you just have to deal or do something about it.
2006-06-15 18:54:09 · answer #3 · answered by underoath777 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is the same as the following example: " I do like you, but you have some unsmooth habit that I can not bear."
The reason why people do this is only because they do want express their bad feeling. in order to make their world easily to accpet. So they just saw" No offense, I do like you, such kinds of world"
2006-06-15 18:23:45 · answer #4 · answered by robin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's to let you know that what they are about to say might be hurtful to you but they say it in honesty.
If the person is going to sugar coat the comment then there is no point in saying no offense. Also notice that the first comment you have is much shorter than the long drawn out comment
2006-06-15 22:20:48 · answer #5 · answered by 2cute4you 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably just because they don't want to hurt your feelings. It would probably be most polite to find a softer way of positivitely critiquing someone but some people are just crass.
2006-06-15 18:20:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a way of expression again, knowingly ridiculing the person
2006-06-15 18:23:20 · answer #7 · answered by NchantingPrincess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Becouse, maybe they really don't whant to be offense just informitive/honest.
Or they just wana hope you will think they arn't.
2006-06-15 18:19:21 · answer #8 · answered by CrazyCat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they are going to say something offensive and don't want you to kick their butt
2006-06-15 18:21:51 · answer #9 · answered by Moma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you hear "no offence" be ready to hear something offensive.
Same with "frankly".......
2006-06-17 19:55:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋