why do people say no offence before they say something offensive?

Answer 1

Because they want to give you the truth and but warning you that they don't want to offend you.

Answer 2

This is a very good question ! I guess you would have to presume that the person or people whom say "no offense" before saying something that may be offensive, are in effect protecting themselves and you from possible harm by providing you a means to better look at an issue from their prospective without first getting upset. It is merely a way people use to express themselves to another person on a topic of which could be missconstrued as offensive, When a person says this to another person at the begining of a sentence, it is to show you respect and also to let you know that they do not intend anything harmfull in your direction.
An example of this is used in legal terms on letter heads. example : " To Whom It May Concern Without Prejudice Nor malice." When this this printed at the top of a page of a statement, no person can use the statements in the letter agains't you in a Court Of Law, as it is inadmissable evidence, being that the person whom wrote the letter has clearly stated in legal terms that they intend you no harm!

I hope this has helped you.

Answer 3

If a person says "no offense" then he knows that what he is about to say may offend someone. Why would you apologize for something if you knew there was nothing offensive about it? The world would be better if we would all remember what Bambi's mother taught him: "If you can't say something good, then don't say anything at all."

Answer 4

Because, generally, their intent isn't to offend, it is to make a statement. Usually the statement is a true statement, or they simply are unable to state it differently, and do not wish to personally offend anyone in ear shot. If I preface a statement that can be construed only as false and defamatory with "No offense", it doesn't make it less offensive, however.

Answer 5

Either because they are ppl who secretly hate you guts, or they want to warn you not to feel too hurt by something that they think you might be offended by. You can normally pick up on if the people telling you 'no offense' are ppl just out to be catty, or ppl who really care about you.

Answer 6

Because they know the statement is going to cause discontent and they want people to know that they know it already. It's like 'hey I'm being offensive but in a way I'm not cos I'm open minded enough to admit that I am offending.' Either that or they don't want to get their questions kicked from this site.

Answer 7

It depends upon the character. Some people think that they were not hurting but actually heart the person.
So always we need to behave with the person psycholoy to whom we are speaking. That leaves good impression about us in there mind.

Answer 8

If they say no offense, it's usually because they see it as the truth, and as such, it needs to be said, even though it may be offensive to some.

Answer 9

They say no offense to be corgially polite to what they are about to express ( it may or may not offend someone).

Its simply being courteous to others judgement of perception.

Answer 10

cuz they realize that some ppl might take as bein offensive but they still want 2 express themselves in an unhateful manner, or at least in lots of cases ne way

Answer 11

so that the people who they are saying it to don't take offence