Is it the rudest thing you can do...

[Homebird8]

...to tell someone they are being rude?

I may be pedantic but I've been crippled by this idea for decades. Please help!

don't people get round it by saying 'not being rude or anything but...'

I thought that saying "but" more or less negated whatever came before it in the sentence. e.g. "I love the way you've dressed BUT aren't you a bit old for that style?".

No the rudest thing you can do is criticise someone's pronunciation of their rudeness. For example: 'oh so I'm a biatch am I - wow, what species is that - perhaps it's a branch of your inbred family which has evolved an extra 'a' along with the slack jawed look?'

Ooh. I love that sort of rudeness. Do you do tutor sessions?

You are wrong btw, you should say: "I love the way you've dressed AND aren't you (are) a bit old for that style?" because then both are statements not opinions. You don't want to broke any argument with your insults.

Nothing like being direct. I definitely could learn a thing or two from you chocie! Can I pay in Cadbury's?

Indeed you can. I need some chocolate to melt down for DD's birthday party (am making chocolate mice for the party bags).

Your homework for tonight is to practicing raising your eyebrows and saying 'oh really' while looking dubious. This will stand you in good stead for any insulting you need to do over the festive period.