8 Innocuous Phrases Hiding a Patronizing Punch
But make no mistake, “bless your heart” can be a double-edged sword. Yes, it might be used genuinely to show empathy. But more often than not, it’s a sweet-sounding way to tell someone they’re naive, foolish, or have simply made a mistake.
It’s like saying, “Oh, you poor thing. You just don’t know any better.” And that’s where the condescension sneaks in.
Next time someone tells you “bless your heart”, take a moment to consider their tone and the context. It might not be as innocent as it seems.