You said WHAT?! The “Concerned” Put-down

Sometimes people say the strangest things, and it is not until afterwards that you think of a good response. This post will equip you to respond to one of those sayings.

The “Concerned” Put-Down

I like to think of this little dandy as being offered by an individual who really is trying to show a form of concern, but in the process pokes you in the eye. You normally don’t catch this until too late, but now you will be prepared.

thought-bubble

 

  1. What it looks like: “You look REALLY tired today, are you doing ok?”
  2. Translated:
    • “The bags under your eyes are so distracting I can hardly carry on a conversation with you.”
    • “You must be in over your head judging how AWEFUL you look today.”
  3. Appropriate* Response
    • “No, I naturally have saggy eyes.”
    • “Crazy! I was about to say the same thing to you.”
    • “I was up all night praying for your soul. What were you doing last night with your precious hours?”
    • “Yes, actually, I am. I really need help cleaning my house/finishing a paper/doing laundry/washing our dog/sorting my bug collection alphabetically by latin species name. And since you are volunteering to help, you can come over tonight at 7 pm. Bring protective eyewear.

 

  • Alternative – Why don’t we stop making the “concerned” put-down and just ask how people are doing.

 

*”Appropriate” is based on the “Seth Standard of Sarcasm”

 

Let me know – What do you say?