"Listen, ..."

[NinnyNewName]

Since when did it become necessary to start a sentence with "listen", and does it drive anyone else mad?

I've not experienced it myself but it would annoy me. Like the person thought what they had to say was either mega important (but wasn't) or that I was thick.

Is it better or worse than “look…” which was Tony Blair’s favourite and always seems so fucking patronising and rude?

I seem to hear it sooo much. Even listening to a comedian on a podcast right now (so not a politician).

It just seems so arrogant to me. "You're already listening to me, but I need to instruct you to listen even harder because what I'm saying is so important".

It really annoys me.

Rio 'Listen' Ferdinand is THE worst culprit for this. Drives me mad.

I hate it! Politicians do it all the time and its awful

Hate it. Very patronising. Also reminds me of Enid Blyton books where "rough" male characters would start every damn sentence with "now look 'ere!"

I think it's rude to address someone starting the sentence with "Listen.." but to each their own I suppose

Yes, "look" annoys me way more.

I think a tutor mentioned it's actually to do with thought patterns and how people learn/relate to the world.

People who learn visually tend to use looking words 'I see, looking good' , People that learn more by touch/doing with tactile words 'I feel' and people that use hearing with 'listen, sounds good' and so on.

I have just looked it up and

Visual learners. ...
Auditory learners. ...
Kinesthetic learners. ...
Reading/writing learners.

Oh wow Devon. Thanks for that. (Not sure it will help. As soon as they say "listen" I am so enraged I don't hear what they say next. Ironic!

Wait what?

Makes me incandescent with rage

@AnneLovesGilbert

Is it better or worse than “look…” which was Tony Blair’s favourite and always seems so fucking patronising and rude?

Hate hate HATE that! Funnily enough was only ranting about it this morning.

My new bf says that to me when talking to me and I ask him who he thinks I am listening to or what he thinks I am doing! Currently find it more amusing than annoying but we've only had a few dates so that may change.

It's better than 'So...'

'Listen' and 'look' are used by dickheads who think whatever they've got to say is more important than anything else going on. They tend to use it to state whatever they believe is fact.

Yes, spot on girl.

"Wait..." annoys me immensely. It sounds utterly moronic.

@girlmom21

'Listen' and 'look' are used by dickheads who think whatever they've got to say is more important than anything else going on. They tend to use it to state whatever they believe is fact.

This! 👏

''What it is, is...'' is the opener of choice for con artists.

I do it when I want someones undivided attention and I want them to pay attention to the point im making. Its very effective when used well.

So patronising.

Almost always used by men, of course.

Very annoying

Look.
Listen
So let me get this straight

All said by arseholes and I immediately don't look, listen or give two fucks what they have to say

It’s the patronising ‘, no?’ at the end of sentences that infuriates me. It seems to have become popular out of nowhere.

@AnneLovesGilbert

Is it better or worse than “look…” which was Tony Blair’s favourite and always seems so fucking patronising and rude?

It was almost like he was saying, “I’m going to break it down simply for you as you’re clearly such an ignoramus but first I need to get your attention because I’m only going to say it once”.