to think if you start a sentance with "this is going to sound really rude" then you probably shouldn't say it

[autumnmum]

That's it really. Someone I had only just met started a conversation with me using this opener today, and then was suprised when I was upset by what they said.

[SantaWearsGreen]

'No offence but..'

[vintageviolets]

Im not being horrible but......

[HECTheHallsWithRowsAndFolly]

Ah yes. Trick there is to hold up your hand and say "I'll stop you right there. I'm not interested in hearing anything that you know even before you say it is rude. So it's best if you don't finish that sentence."

Can I be nebby and ask what they said?

[LRDtheFeministDude]

Mmm. Depends how you say it, I think. A mate of mine who has very polite American-south manner will say 'this is very rude, but ...' and usually the next thing will be 'I'm so tired I have to go' or 'I don't think I can make it tomorrow' .... ie., nothing remotely rude at all, in my eyes!

She is just very, very sweet and has an odd sense of etiquette that if you're you're leaving/turning down an invitation to a social event, you're meant to make out you're being very cheeky so the other person knows they can say no, it's fine!

I accept it is often used not to suggest the speaker is worried about offending you and hopes you'll excuse clumsy phrasing, but just to be fucking rude, though.

[OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos]

Depending on what followed, YABU.

On the rare occasions when I have used one of those openers, I have always been met with 'Hell, yes!' as I'd generally just be voicing something that the other person is thinking but doesn't want to say.

I wouldn't say anything that is likely to upset someone though, so if in a situation where I was likely to say it the person then ended up upset, it would probably be because they are over sensitive.

[ThePoppyAndTheIvy]

I also have a nosey need to know what was said......

YANBU though. If it is rude, don't say it. Quite simple really!

[autumnmum]

HECT I was at a meeting for volunteers (I am an intern for a large charity) to discuss the volunteer experience. When asked why we were volunteering I said it was because I wanted a job. This other volunteer took offence at this and took me to one side and said I shouldn't have said that as it made me sound bitter (I'm not, so I'm not sure what gave her that idea). She also said as I have been a SAHM for 8 years I should expect to start at the bottom and not "to get ideas above my station". I should mention that I am highly qualified and experienced in the field I am working in - but the very fact I am working for free should kind of indicate I don't really have ideas above my station.

[ThePoppyAndTheIvy]

Do you often point out the fact that you are highly qualified & experienced in the field you are working in to her or the other volunteers? Do you think maybe they are a little cheesed off with hearing this & think you are acting as though you are better than them and therefore have a right to a job when one becomes available, where they might not?

If not, then just ignore it as a silly person with a bee in her bonnet who has misunderstood you .

[CQuin]

sentence

[autumnmum]

Poppy nobody in the room had a clue about my background. I only mentioned it here because I am a great big show off wanted to illustrate I don't expect to waltz back into the sort of job I had before the kids came along. What I can't understand is why anybody would want to deliberately upset somebody else.

[autumnmum]

CQuin :) I'm a science expert not an English one!

[ThePoppyAndTheIvy]

In that case, take no notice. YANBU, but some people just feel the need to say whatever they are thinking without worrying how that will make the other person feel. They seem to think that using the phrase "I don't mean to be rude" excuses whatever follows. It doesn't.

It's akin to posting a rude or offensive reply to someone's FB status and ending it LOL, as if a LOL makes it OK.

It really boils down to some people having no manners.

[helpyourself]

I'm not being funny...
That makes no sense and you sound about 12.
Not you op- volunteering world is a weird

[helpyourself]

Place.

[merrymouse]

also the even less self aware phrase "I'm not being rude but...".

[lovemydogs]

My OH always says to me "I hate to say this but......" clearly he does not hate to say it - quite the opposite.

Another one is when people say "I'm not being racist but...." and then proceed to make a racist remark.

Agree with merrymouse too.
xx

[HalloweenNameChange]

I am not racist but... followed by something obviously racist

[Schmoozer]

I'm sorry but ....
I know someone who likes,to spout bollocks :)
She often precedes bollocks with i'm sorry but ....
And she really, really doesn't seem sorry ! :)

[thebody]

'Look don't take this the wrong way' and the funny 'you know me I don't gossip'. Lol followed by gossip.

Ignore op she's jealous, say' I hope you don't take this the wrong way but fuck off love will you?'

[Molehillmountain]

With all due respect (ie pretty much none)

[cynnerthenaughtyreindeer]

Let me be frank.....no..just no

[cinders005]

Or "no disrespect"

[wordfactory]

I speak as I find....

[Kalisi]

I'm not sure what's worse, pre warning you that what is about to be said is going to be rude or just saying it and then adding 'no offence' at the end.
Both fuck me off royally.....no offence.

[cumfy]

I don't mean to be overly critical but YABU;
it's a perfectly reasonable to prepend some sort of warning to appropriately flag up negative comments.

OTOH why the hell this person thought that you should lie when asked a perfectly straightforward question and that instead they can dictate the answer you should give is utterly bizarre.
Is this a religious sect of some kind ?

They sound totally unhinged.