Posted by trouble on February 11, 2002, at 11:00:27
In reply to Re: What's yer least favorite circumlocution? » trouble, posted by IsoM on February 11, 2002, at 1:21:10
Oh yes, "impacted" drives me up the wall too. Any time nouns are used as verbs and vice versa.
This is the main area I have problems with concerning the general public-if I'm in a bad mood I pick fights w/ strangers, and it ususally takes the route of correcting their grammar, ridiculing their word choice.Like when someone says
"I need you to..."
"I need you to stand in that line over there, I need you to sign this paper..."
The "nicest" way I can respond to that is to smile mournfully and drop my gaze, as if I'm too polite to look at the person in their moment of sheer pomposity.
How fearful we've become of saying "it is necessary that you sign these papers" or "this window is for xyz, the line YOU need forms to the right" or the one thing that makes me want to throw chairs thru the window is when the person serving you is not going to listen and you can tell before you start. So they answer a question you hadn't asked, as they were expecting a more typical inquiry than the one you presented. You knew this was going to happen b/c they were'nt paying attention. Happens to me on a frequent basis and it makes me insane.How 'bout this one? Friday I was meeting my SS Appeals attorney for the first time (an absolute dreamboat, but I digress), and his personal assistant handed me these forms to fill out. Fine. Then I asked another unrelated question about the next step in the procedure and she kept referring to these goshdamn forms, as if I could twinkle my nose like Samantha on Bewitched and complete them while standing before her.
Finally I said in a neutral tone (I hope!)
"I've heard that directive three times in as many minutes and it has registered. I'd like to move on now." And she looked up at me for the FIRST time I'd been "engaging" w/her. Startled rabbit expression in her eyes.
I made it a point to be extra friendly and polite for the rest of my stay, to try and show that I'm not just some glamourous, spoiled, beautiful bitch, but that I will say things to command respect when push comes to shove.This thread may sound pointless and winded, and it is, it is, but for me it's always a significant moment whenever I can PROACTIVELY IMPACT my environment w/out being mean.
poster:trouble
thread:18044
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020202/msgs/18079.html