Hmmm...Does saying "No offense" make it all better?

Question

Rocky road, just because you don't get my name, doesn't mean it doesn't make sense. No offense. ;0)

Answer 1

never has worked for me...nope, actually makes it worse in most cases because if they did not mean to offend, they should have remained quiet.

Answer 2

I don't know. There's an easy way to prove this:

"No offense, but this is the dumbest question I have read today."

Now, did you take offense to that, or did the phrase actually work.

This is a funny phrase. I guess the premise is you can say whatever you want as long as you put "no offense" in front of it. Kind of like when someone say "this goes without saying". If that is true, then shut up.

But, i do find it humorous when people say something like, "I know atheist are immoral, and will burn in hell for eternity... But, I'm not trying to offend any atheists here, just asking a serious question"


**Added**

I love the answer about being dumb as a post. I grew up and live in the south, and you do hear that all the time. That answer gave me a good laugh. Sounds like something my grandmother would have said.

Answer 3

Hmmm...Does saying "No offense" make it all better?

If we take the facts of history and not over look them who has more right to freedom of speech? So where is the VIOLATION?

I Constitution (for my privacy) do not want a huge legal court case here just my freedom to help people know the facts they are not getting from their church and state mix.
All Yahoo Answers needs to do is show they are sorry by putting this info up in public where no one other than God himself can take it down! No human in any place of power good, bad, or ugly has the right to have it removed!
The best thing the clergy earthwide can do is to preach the golden rule and be an example of that great one of a kind rule that fits ALL! That is the nearest rule ALL can understand and live by. (Matt.7:12) PEACE AND SECURITY cannot be far off if we ALL take that clear rule to heart as our Maker wants of us ALL!
Foolish comments are sure to come but true wisdom is to take serious note of of the facts below! FACT!
Sincerely Constitutionally Sound!
They have removed it anyhow! "Hmmm...Does saying "No offense" make it all better?" Will it be here now? Will post it and see!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmXa2c20FGITu1lH_j5wg8rsy6IX?qid=20070326142133AAjhm7724faa

Answer 4

I guess there are times when it is appropriate. Said very gently and reassuringly if you notice that something you said upset someone and it was honestly unintentional. Some people take statements that are not intended to be personal in a very personal way. It is possible to highly offend someone without intending to offend them at all.

But it's not okay to drop a loaded statement and follow it with "no offense." That's passive aggressive behavior at best. I've also found that statements prefaced with "no offense" never follow with anything good.

Answer 5

If you know in advance you that what you say would offend someone don't say it because then that is just mean. If you say something buy accident that hurts someones feelings a sincere I'm sorry I did not realize that would offend you. means more. Just a casual "no offense" seems insincere and cold. Because if you say something that offends someone but you mean it and it is important to you to you should not apologies buy saying no offense. Just say this is my opinion it was not meant to offend you

Answer 6

I personally don't require those qualifiers but I guess it's really about the intent. On the other hand, I can say the most benign thing in the world and someone may get upset

I gave your sister AIDS, no offense

Answer 7

Depends on what's being said. If it's an observation on a generalization or an attitude, yet it's not meant to offend anyone, then I don't see where there would be a problem. Sometimes things said aren't meant to offend, but to bring to light what the person is seeing.

Answer 8

Of course. For instance, you can walk up to someone and say "No offense, but you're the ugliest person I've ever seen," or, "No offense, but I think you're annoying as hell."

But since you said "no offense", they can't take offense.

Answer 9

Depends on if they really do not mean to offend you and are simply stating a differing opinion or if they are simply saying it as a regurgitation of manners which they have no intention of using in the first place.

Answer 10

Nope.

I have it on good authority ( a Southern friend of mine) that the correct phrase is "Bless his/her heart".

You can say ANY kind of rude, cruel, judgmental, critical thing you like, so long as you append one of those two variations of that phrase to the end.

Ex:

"Well, you know he just cheats on his wife every chance he gets...bless his heart"

"She just does go on about how much better her kids are than anyone else's....bless her heart"

"You know her pies are just the worth things you've evah put in your mouth, and she thinks that she's the best cook in the county....bless her heart"

"He just doesn't have the sense that God gave a turnip....bless his heart"

And so on.

Answer 11

No, it does not make it hurt any less, when that phrase is spoken. It is a caution sign for something that is going to be offensive and mean.