8 Common Phrases That Secretly Reveal Poor Social Skills—Do You Use Them?
5) “No offense, but…”
I have to confess, this is a phrase that I’ve used in the past. “No offense, but…” It feels like a get-out-of-jail-free card, allowing us to say something potentially hurtful while avoiding the backlash.
But here’s what I’ve learned. When I use “No offense, but…”, it’s usually because I’m about to say something that I know could be offensive. And that’s not okay.
This phrase doesn’t absolve us of the impact our words might have on others. If anything, it alerts them that something hurtful is coming, which can make the conversation even more uncomfortable.
