This drives me crazy! If you say something to me and then say "no offense," obviously you've said something to which I probably should/will take offense. And what is the appropriate response?
Example:
I'm originally from the Northern USA but I currently live in the South. I was IMing this dude from the South the other day and he types "Every girl I've met from the North has been really rude and snobby. No offense." WTF? Is it my job to prove this guy wrong or something? How would YOU react?
FYI...I came back with "Well, isn't that like saying all Southern men are hicks who are still fighting the Civil War?" (which is totally untrue!)
2007-05-01 06:03:34 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
whatisthisworldcomingto, good answer!
It just ticks me off when people insult me or my people...ok, so the comment wasn't directed at me, but what's the point of even saying something like that? As far as I can tell, there is none. It seems like saying "no offense" is just a way for people to get away with saying ignorant things...i.e. "All the blondes I've met were morons. No offense."
2007-05-01 06:12:26 · update #1
BabysMom, another good one! Cute kitty too! :D
2007-05-01 06:14:03 · update #2
Well if they say "No offense"..that's pretty much open season to be offended. It's like starting a statement by saying "sorry to say this"...well if they were really sorry why the heck would they say it in the first place.
By the way ..great comeback to his statement.
And..."No offense"..I think he's just upset that our great great great grandfathers kicked his ggg grandfathers butts 135 years ago :D
2007-05-01 06:08:14 · answer #1 · answered by whatisthisworldcomingto 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't like that phrase, either. I am not sure what I would say in response. My response would depend upon what was said.
Most of the time I am not offended. The person is stating a fact or expressing feelings.
However, the times I am, I would say, "Well, offense taken." Then, that would lead the other person to apologize. Maybe even discuss what was said.
I know this isn't much help, but I understand what you are going through.
2007-05-01 06:14:06 · answer #2 · answered by Daisy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's childish if nothing else.
It's game that people play to enter into a debate with the hottest point at the start of the debate. I don't know anything about debates since I dispised the practise....
But, I know that people do this in order to provoke people into some kind of heated debate for their own amusement. IF you are foolish enough to follow up with your similiar comments then you end up arguing for countless minutes or hours, only to find out that the person is ignorant and quite boring and had nothing better to do then to cause you to belittle yourself by responding.
Please ignore those people:)
2007-05-01 06:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by lisa 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just my take (old lady, sorry) here: If someone says "no offense" they don't mean to make you retaliate, but they want to say something ugly. Sounds like you came back with a good one. I am also a dangyankee living in the south (Texas) and I suffered a lot of what you're describing. "No offense, but do y'all always talk like that?" "No offense, do you mean what you say, or is that just what you think you should say?" "hey, don't take me wrong but are all northerners so boring?" .... Generally, I GOT offended - and let them know (I'm also a redhead) and got an apology. They sometimes think they're being funny with it. Good luck!
2007-05-01 06:11:02 · answer #4 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Take offense! If they truly meant no offense, they'd have kept their opinion to themselves.
I usually "smile and nod" absentmindedly and move on or raise my eyebrows. Ignore it or be subtle.
Sometimes I confront it lightheartedly and try and joke about it.
Does he know you're from the North? If so, it was probably a lame attempt at flirting.
2007-05-01 06:06:28 · answer #5 · answered by tcdrtw 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means they want to say something rude and overly general without any of the negative consequences.
As for how you should react, I'm not sure, though I think you handled your situation quite well. That should have gotten the point across. If it didn't, then he's probably pretty dense.
2007-05-01 06:32:29 · answer #6 · answered by I'm Still Here 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Answer as you would have if they had not added "no offense." They are just using that as an excuse to be rude.
However, after reading about this particular instance, he probably meant that every northerner other than you.
2007-05-01 07:46:36 · answer #7 · answered by startwinkle05 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is your job to prove him wrong. Reacting in an offensive way just make you rude, and proves the guy's right. In this situation, stay calm, explain to him you're not like that and that he met the wrong girls.
That's all.
2007-05-01 06:07:33 · answer #8 · answered by Gasgano 55 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think of that gunshots are the sound of a final hotel problem being performed out. i does no longer opt to get rid of the stunning of persons to undergo hands, yet i think of this is nicely previous time that we acknowleged that deer looking would not require an AK-40 seven.
2017-01-09 06:14:34 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It simply means they are stating their personal opinion, (which by the way they are COMPLETELY entitled to) and they are aware it may offend but they are honest enough to share their true feelings/opinion.
I'd rather hear what people honestly have to say then to have someone nod their head in agreement to every word I say.
2007-05-01 06:13:10 · answer #10 · answered by icy_tempest 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋