Delivering a blatant insult in a soft voice and graceful manner ....?

Question

what do you call this technique of insult/offense?

Answer 1

I don't know that it has a specific name. Misdirection, perhaps?

It depends on something a psychologist at UCLA found in the 1960s - if there is a difference between what you say, the way you say it, and the way you look/act when you're saying it, then most people will attach most importance to the NVC (non-verbal communication - body language and speech characteristics) and take very little notice (maybe only 7%) of the words.

So, if the IMPRESSION you give is that you're being nice, most people just don't register the insult. And many people still don't get it even if they think about it afterwards.

Answer 2

It depends on whom is delivering the insult. If that person is a close friend/relative, I would probably interpret that as one of two things. 1. They're joking or 2. there is a serious reason behind that insult that they're afraid of bringing to my attention.

If it comes from someone that I don't know very well, I would take offense, no matter what voice/technique they used to deliver that insult.

Answer 3

Ignorance with a portion of narcissism. Narcissists act as though they are blissfully above good or bad manners because they mean no harm. They deliver their insults or criticism as though it is a favor to you, almost as though you might want to thank them for their insightful observations.

Narcissus was a figure in ancient mythology that loved his own image so much he bent over a stream to gaze at his reflection one day and fell in the water and drowned.

Answer 4

Don't insult ~ speak with truth and experience when giving advice. If a person takes that as an insult that's their problem.

Answer 5

Hi. Not sure, but when Sammy Davis Jr. told Archie Bunker that "You're the whitest guy I know." Archie was thrilled. Sometimes called a 'left-handed complement'.

Answer 6

The, "Oh no she didn't, did she?" technique.

Answer 7

that's bitchy. sry.