Neutral phrases

[Anonymous]

In preparation for the holidays, I am preparing a list of pat expressions to offset unwanted feedback. I bet this group has a few.

Here's my start:

Well, isn't that a blessing?
Kids. Right?
That's just ___ being ___.
Wasn't that a wonderful memory.
I wish him all the best.
Bob's your uncle.
Lovely.
What a nice suprise.
Oh! That would make a great plot for a movie.

Anymore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In preparation for the holidays, I am preparing a list of pat expressions to offset unwanted feedback. I bet this group has a few.

Here's my start:

Well, isn't that a blessing?
Kids. Right?
That's just ___ being ___.
Wasn't that a wonderful memory.
I wish him all the best.
Bob's your uncle.
Lovely.
What a nice suprise.
Oh! That would make a great plot for a movie.

Anymore?

"What an interesting way of looking at things."

[Anonymous]

Just smile or smile and laugh. You don't have to say a word in many situations. I've observed older people in my family and have seen how well it works, so that's my go to now.

[Anonymous]

"I'm glad you found something that works for you [/your family.]"
"Oh, how nice."
"No thanks, I've got this covered!"
"I'm good, thanks."
"No, thank you."
"This is what works for us."
"We've got this, thanks."

[Anonymous]

"Excuse me a minute"

[Anonymous]

I'll discuss that with her pediatrician.
Thanks, we're comfortable with our course of treatment for her.
What an interesting way of seeing things!

[Anonymous]

I like monosyllabic noises with various implied punctuation marks.

Hmmmm./Hmmmmm?
Ahhhhh./Ahhhhh!
Ohhhhh?/Ohhhh!

Most people just want to talk about themselves anyhow. You insert these while only half-listening and it won't interrupt their flow or force you to actually engage with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like monosyllabic noises with various implied punctuation marks.

Hmmmm./Hmmmmm?
Ahhhhh./Ahhhhh!
Ohhhhh?/Ohhhh!

Most people just want to talk about themselves anyhow. You insert these while only half-listening and it won't interrupt their flow or force you to actually engage with them.

Yes, Terry Gross does this on Fresh Air all the time and the people she is interviewing continue to talk and offer interesting insights.

[Anonymous]

That's definitely something to think about!

[Anonymous]

Interesting.
Why do you ask?
We'll see.
Maybe one day.
Yes, I read about that.

[Anonymous]

I like "Wow".

[Anonymous]

"Why do you ask?"
"Why do you say that?"

[Anonymous]

Pour me another, please.

[Anonymous]

I love all of these!

THx for the material, and the chuckles.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me what the transition was like from actually answering questions/responding to comments to just ignoring busybodies and using "neutral phrases" like these? I've been trying to actually communicate for far too long, and I'm ready to try this approach.

Any horror stories, or did it go pretty well? TIA!