Why do people start off saying something with "Can I Be Honest With You?" Do they mean they would lie to you if they didn't say it? What if you said NO???
2006-08-18 09:10:39 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I am trying to prepare you for information you might find rude and or hurtful. By answering yes you are saying to me "I accept your criticism and I willl not blame you for hurt feelings."
If you say"No" I am not going to share my feelings......
IE
TrayDiva: Does this yellow and black dress look OK on me?
Miss J: Well, can I be honest with you?
TrayDiva: Of course you can!
Miss J: You look like a d@mn bumblebee
see it works like that!!!!
2006-08-18 09:37:17 · answer #1 · answered by Natural_Woman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe they don't want to come off as harsh, joking or lying. Actually its best not to use such a phrase or similar phrases because it makes the impression that you're not trust worthy, pretty much what you suspected. It is something to avoid during an interview, which I found out first hand. But I guess this depends on the situation.
2006-08-18 16:35:30 · answer #2 · answered by Elliot K 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All they're trying to do is prepare you for something that might otherwise be shocking just to blurt out. It's to prepare for the blow, and helps to spare your feelings. If you say "no", you might not be in the mood for bad news, and they could take that as a good sign to back off and leave the matter alone.
2006-08-18 16:19:36 · answer #3 · answered by Meredia 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A blunt introduction to warn the listener that something unpleasant is coming. It's never followed by anything good, is it?
Like you'd ever hear "Can I be honest with you? You just won $1,000,000!"
2006-08-18 16:16:24 · answer #4 · answered by stimply 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a phrase used right before people say something rude and hurtful.
2006-08-18 16:16:31 · answer #5 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means listen up. They're gonna tell you something that should have been told to you a long time ago, but every body else was too embarassed.
2006-08-18 16:18:30 · answer #6 · answered by elvenjewl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think people ask that because they know the truth usually hurts, and what they want to tell you is going to hurt.
2006-08-18 16:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by bc.grown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anytime someone says that to me, I know it is going to be something that I don't want to hear!
2006-08-18 16:20:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are just trying to tell you something that you might not want to hear or believe.
2006-08-18 23:09:03 · answer #9 · answered by ~*~*~*Jenny Anne~*~*~* 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are saying that they next thing they will say may hurt your feelings.
2006-08-18 16:16:36 · answer #10 · answered by murph_ltt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋