Is there a new trend of saying "if that makes sense"....

[MyGazeboisLeaking]

when the statement in question CLEARLY does?

For example: "Usually Brownjes is on a Tuesday, except in the summer when it's on a Wednesday, if that makes sense?".

Or: "I like to cook our meals in the slow cooker, if that makes sense?".

What is this all about? Do people suddenly feel we are incapable of understanding a simple situation or statement?

I think you may be right. Now you mention it I have noticed that a bit. It doesn’t annoy me too much, I think it sounds like they are trying to be polite ?

It drives me insane. My colleague always writes it at the end of emails. If you feel what you are writing doesn’t make sense, write better to ensure you are understood! If it does make sense, have some confidence in yourself and credit the person who is reading it with a brain!

weak and wishy washy. Hate it.

@Chickenandrice - @Snowpaw has expressed my exasperation perfectly!

I have a colleague who constantly says it. It feels quite passive aggressive.

Oh hate it. I find it so condescending. It’s the same as “do you understand?” at the end of a sentence.
My Dad does it all the time
“I found it a really emotional moment, does that make any sense to you? And especially given the context of what happened, do you understand?” It makes me want to scream YES, YES, I’M NOT A COMPLETE IDIOT, I UNDERSTAND THE WORDS YOU ARE SAYING.

I use it when I'm trying to explain something someone doesn't understand and don't feel like I've worded it as well as I could have. Is that alright?

Eek, I do that. Its so I don't sound like a know-it-all when I know more about something than the other person, if that makes sense? Ha ha

Oh god I catch myself saying this and it's not because I think I dont but where the issue is complex and I want to make sure it actually does make sense... but now I'm thinking it comes off patronising:/

Ohhh no I do this, it tends to be when I'm typing something so I worry it's open for interpretation

I say it all the time and it's beginning to irritate me. Sometimes it's because I talk myself in and out of a point without meaning to (particularly at work!) and I'm not sure if what I've said makes sense - my boss is pretty good at interrupting my waffle by now. Sometimes it's that I've talked so quickly I'm checking the person I'm talking has caught everything. And occasionally (with DH!) it's to see if he's actually listened instead of being engrossed in his phone.

Not sure it is new but I've recently started stopping myself from saying it.

I was just going to say it is usually women that say it because they are the first fo second guess themselves but then I saw someone above say their dad says it!

It is like saying what you have said isnt clear enough and could therefore be nonsensical. Like a self put down.

I say it when I am not sure if I am expressing something well. It's not because I think I'm talking to an idiot.

@stressbucket1

Eek, I do that. Its so I don't sound like a know-it-all when I know more about something than the other person, if that makes sense? Ha ha

Well just stop it cos it's a bloody awful habit. Assume I know what you mean and if I don't, I'll ask for clarity.

I know a few people who do this. Sometimes I just say "no it doesn't can you explain it in a different way" until they stop asking.

“It’s the same as “do you understand?” at the end of a sentence.”

It really isn’t.

It is intended to soften the impact of the speaker (or writer’s) statement.

Rightly or wrongly, women often feel they have to do this. See also question marks at the end of sentences that really should end with a full stop.

I don’t particularly like the habit, but I also don’t understand why people need to see “passive aggression” everywhere when actually it’s the opposite.

Oh god, I think i’ve started doing this recently. Must stop.

I think it can be several things - nervousness/insecurity on behalf of the speaker making them add unnecessary words, or genuinely confused themselves over some perceived unnecessarily convoluted point due to sleep deprivation (me!), or passively aggressively insinuating the listener is stupid. But I agree it is annoying now that I’ve noticed it. Gah!

@WaterOffADucksCrack

I know a few people who do this. Sometimes I just say "no it doesn't can you explain it in a different way" until they stop asking.

Exactly.

If it's said after something very complex, then of course it's ok to say.

If it's habitual, patronising or self depreciating, then your response is brilliant - I will try that!

I say this and similar version a lot, English isn’t my first language so I have to check the person has understood as without that I don’t know if I hve used an incorrect word etc when speaking.

It's maddening.

@SimonJT

I say this and similar version a lot, English isn’t my first language so I have to check the person has understood as without that I don’t know if I hve used an incorrect word etc when speaking.

That's very different - you are genuinely checking accuracy.

The thing is some people mind and some don't. Asking someone to stop doing something harmless that doesn't bother them and some other people because it bothers you is quite arrogant, if that makes sense.

I prefer 'if ya get me'

My boss does this at the end of a long email and tbf about 50% of the time I ring her saying ok please explain because this does not make sense

That's very different - you are genuinely checking accuracy.

So how can you tell which is which if you go about feeling frustrated with anyone who says it. Do you ask to check why they're saying it before unleashing your full wrath on them?

Not worth it, do you understand?

Ha, I'm guilty of this, if that makes sense.