Anonymous
11/20/2015 10:41
Subject: Neutral phrases
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!
Any horror stories, or did it go pretty well? TIA!
Anonymous
11/20/2015 10:29
Subject: Neutral phrases
I love all of these! 
THx for the material, and the chuckles.
THx for the material, and the chuckles.
Anonymous
11/20/2015 09:17
Subject: Re:Neutral phrases
Pour me another, please.
Anonymous
11/19/2015 16:25
Subject: Neutral phrases
"Why do you ask?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Why do you say that?"
Anonymous
11/19/2015 16:15
Subject: Neutral phrases
I like "Wow".
Anonymous
11/19/2015 12:38
Subject: Neutral phrases
Interesting.
Why do you ask?
We'll see.
Maybe one day.
Yes, I read about that.
Why do you ask?
We'll see.
Maybe one day.
Yes, I read about that.
Anonymous
11/19/2015 12:21
Subject: Neutral phrases
That's definitely something to think about!
Anonymous
11/19/2015 12:00
Subject: Neutral phrases
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
11/19/2015 11:49
Subject: Neutral phrases
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.
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
11/19/2015 11:48
Subject: Neutral phrases
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!
Thanks, we're comfortable with our course of treatment for her.
What an interesting way of seeing things!
Anonymous
11/19/2015 11:40
Subject: Neutral phrases
"Excuse me a minute"
Anonymous
11/19/2015 11:23
Subject: Neutral phrases
"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."
"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
11/19/2015 11:04
Subject: Neutral phrases
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
11/19/2015 11:01
Subject: Neutral phrases
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
11/19/2015 10:53
Subject: Neutral phrases
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?
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?