I watch American shows and movies, and I get the impression that it's not... Being a Malay, I can only say that it's rude in our language. What's the general attitude towards it in the US, UK, and elsewhere?
2006-11-06 23:42:42 · 15 answers · asked by espers_cypher 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Yes, is is considered rude. If you think about it, it is not an answer to a question. "Whatever" is more a sign of who cares, which would break the rules under community guidelines. It is very smart that you are taking the time to find out. I can only speak one language. Sorry about that!
2006-11-06 23:44:16 · answer #1 · answered by dogloverdi 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It's dismissive, if you say 'does my bum look big in this?' and they say 'whatever', they are telling you that no-one cares about your question. The rudeness/ignorance is in proportion to the question. I would say that the above reply might be appropriate although rude, however if the question was 'what can we do about the starving millions in the world?', the response 'whatever' suddenly scales up to being monstrously inappropriate!
(UK answer)
2006-11-06 23:53:35 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first time my teenage daughter said it to me, I was flabbergasted. I don't know why. It sounded so. . . bodacious. These days, it's one of my favorite words. It says so much. In real U. S. life, I consider it acceptable. But, because here on Yahoo Answers we are from so many different nations with so many different connotations for words like that, I consider it rude. Please forgive or be tolerant of people who forget about the multi-cultural aspect of this setting. That, too, is part of getting along internationally.
2006-11-07 00:01:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. it implies or suggests in a way the person answering the question couldn't care less in giving an honest and proper answer. it also demonstrates ignorance, lack of respect and rudeness on their part. in addition, with the tone of their voice as they say it, its as if they are disregarding the other person.
for instance: ' i have told you once before not to do that. don't ever do that again. do i make myself clear?' and he/she responds with 'yeah whatever'. its not just rude but it is a stupid answer too.
2006-11-08 07:27:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's rude. You are basically dismissing whatever the person is saying to you -- not really listening. When I'm arguing with a certain person and this person goes on and on about nothing, I just say, "yeah right, whatever" and walk away, basically to say, "I hear you but I'm not listening to your crap!"
2006-11-06 23:48:48 · answer #5 · answered by Mary C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's rude. I say whatever a lot when people are trying to put me down. Saying "whatever" is like, you are brushing their comments off. You don't care what they are saying, so you respond by saying "Whatever!"
2006-11-07 03:42:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's considered rude in any language, ( my view) but then again we are living in a rude society.
2006-11-06 23:48:44 · answer #7 · answered by MKM 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Using 'Whatever' on is own is contemptuous and dismissive of the questioner. It indicates laziness and ignorance in the user.
2006-11-06 23:47:58 · answer #8 · answered by Clive 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is very rude because it like you are showing off your attitude. it also makes a person come off as mean and unapproachable
2006-11-06 23:45:48 · answer #9 · answered by danicolegirl 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
its considered very rude...although it seems that simple courtesy is slipping in cultures, hence why it may look like its not rude
2006-11-06 23:49:05 · answer #10 · answered by Michelle B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋