7 Shocking Phrases That Reveal a Startling Lack of Kindness and Empathy—Do You Recognize Them?
3) “I told you so”
The phrase “I told you so” has a unique, almost universal ability to provoke irritation. It’s a phrase that’s often used to express vindication or superiority, but it can also highlight a lack of empathy and kindness.
When someone says “I told you so,” they are essentially pointing out that they were right and the other person was wrong. It’s a phrase that puts emphasis on the speaker’s correctness, rather than the listener’s feelings or experience.
According to a study, individuals who regularly use phrases like “I told you so” are more likely to have lower levels of emotional intelligence.