Friday, November 09, 2007

You Said "What?"

The other day, someone at work said, "I don't mean to be an ass, but . . . " and before thinking, I said, "yeah, you did."

When people say, "I don't want to butt in, but . . . " or "I am not racist, but . . .", I figure they are signaling me that they are what they say they aren't.

I am typing up a storm for that freakin' NaNo-crap thing, so I am all spent for the week, but this just occurred to me.

I also wonder why the price of gas goes up right after crude oil prices go up, but it takes so much time to transport, refine, etc. But when crude oil goes down, the price of oil doesn't go down the same week. Weird, huh?

12 comments:

Advizor54 said...

My two favorites are:

"It's none of my business, but...."

or

"If you asked me....."

Of course, they then proceed to make it their business, and answer the unasked questions. My mother-in-law is a specialist with both

Anonymous said...

"I don't want to be an irresistable sexy beast, but..." That's how I plan to start my next conversation with a Japanese woman.

- Grant

Deb said...

Wait, the best has to be......"Can I ask you a question?" I guess that falls under "stupid questions".

"Are you sleeping?"

Hate that.

I nearly flipped out when I went to the gas station yesterday. $3.79!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kathi said...

I've said a third of those, but (see, there's the *but*) I've always meant it. I know people who preface every statement with those sort of intro's, that's pretty annoying. But I never purposely mean to offend though.

kathi said...

Lol, I've also said 'can I ask you a question?' and 'are you asleep?'...sorry deb!! C'mon down for gas deb, $2.79...though that's 30 cents more than a week ago. Geeze.

Advizor54 said...

When I'm feeling snotty, and want to act like a 10 year old (which is all too often) I get this exchange.

Them: "Can I ask you a question?"

Me: "You just did." And I just walk away.

Leesa said...

advizor: good one, none of my business. Good one.

grant: I assumed you start most conversations that way.

~deb: I get pretty good gas mileage, so I have not hit the pump in a week. I am a wee bit scared right now.

kathi: I have said some occasionally. And I think prices just crossed $3/gallon, I think.

advisor: when I am feeling snotty, I blow my nose.

Frankly Speaking said...

"I'm not a racist but" -- yeah, that always is going to be followed by something racist. Same thing with "I'm not a sexist, but" ... watch out.

I've been bothered by that gas truism, too. I always assumed it was panic on the one end and the love of the additional profits on the other.

Anonymous said...

As they say in AA: "Everything before "but" is bullshit."

Shadowdog said...

I don't mean to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong but these are all good points. >:-P

J R Estelle said...

Gas at the QT is just under 3 bucks...I'm sure by the time Thanksgiving travel rolls around it will be over that and then more at Xmas time.

My favorite question is when someone sees that you're wearing a watch and says "Do you have the time?"

I always want to say, "no, this is broken, I just wear it because I feel naked with out it".

Leesa said...

frankly: but panic should not be part of the oil companies' decision-making process. They always clear a profit.

gary: that's the whole point.

shadow: tuche'

jr: regarding, "do you have the time?" I know some people who guard the time.