Thereβs a fine line between sarcasm and plain rudeness. Thereβs an equally fine line between well intended and just stupid. Which one do you fall in? Thatβs a tough answerβ¦but for the sake of argument, letβs assume you mean well.
Still, how many times have you opened your fat mouthβ¦only to be desperately looking for your foot to stick in there?
βYou Seem HappyβΒ β You never know how someone is truly feeling, so you may need to find another way to put this. TherapistΒ Erica HornthalΒ says itβs about understanding your audience. "For people with mental illness orΒ high-functioning anxiety,β she explains. βThese phrases can feel invalidating and unsupportive."
βWell, Thatβs AmazingβΒ β Unless whatever happened really was amazing? This will be subconsciously perceived as snotty. βIt's often a cover up for when we're either jealous or simply not listening,"Β Wayne PernellΒ offers. βInstead, respond by saying βThat's fantastic! Tell me moreβ.β
βYou Shouldβve Reached OutβΒ β Like someone needs to fee lousier? How about βPlease feel free to reach out to me in the future. Iβm here for youβ instead? This leaves an open door, especially if your friend is going through some things.
βThis is Better Than I ExpectedβΒ β Youβre ratting yourself out andΒ admittingΒ that you had low expectations from the jumpβ¦and that youβre surprised that things actually turned out well. BEWARE, you may get a few foul words thrown your way.
βYouβre So CuteβΒ β This is something you tell your little brother when heβs trying to grow up on you, and you squeeze thoseΒ little cheeks.Β Heβll probably just shoo you away and go on about his business. Try saying this someone older, and it definitely wonβt go over as smoothly. Unless the recipient is under 10β¦itβll come off as patronizing.