An article from HuffPost shared the phrases you should eliminate from your vocabulary because they may come off as passive aggressive. One that Bobby Bones is trying to stop saying is “Does that make sense?” He knows some people may take it as him questioning their intelligence, even though he does not mean it like that, so he’s trying to eliminate it.
Below is the list that was shared:
- "Good for you." It's passive-aggressive if there's secret resentment or envy behind it.
- "I'm sorry you feel that way." People use it as a non-apology. Like, "I'm not sorry for what I did, but I'm trying to sound like I am." Instead of taking responsibility, you're placing the blame on the other person's feelings.
- "It's fine." Especially when it's obviously not fine. You're avoiding confrontation when you should really just tell them how you feel.
- "Whatever." You might use it when you're throwing in the towel. Like, "I don't really want to watch that movie, but whatever." Either get on board for real or stick to your guns.
- "If you say so." It's dismissive and implies you don't really believe what they're saying. But you're also shutting down the conversation.
- "You're just too sensitive." It discounts their feelings and shifts the blame onto them, so you don't have to apologize or feel bad.
Bones also mentioned that it irks him when people call him “Bud” or “Buddy.” Everyone is going to work on eliminating these phrases moving forward!