Wayne Boatwright
I blame daytime talk shows for the tactlessness (and tackiness!)
I've concluded that the *only* acceptable thing to say when told of someone's trouble is, "I am so sorry to hear that." or even just "I'm so sorry." Period. Don't try to say anything comforting, because you're probably just going to put your foot in your mouth and pee off the person you're trying to comfort.
The summer my grandparents died, I was told the following:
"At least he had a good long life." Yeah? Guess what, when it's *your* 84 year old loved one dying, it's not nearly long enough.
Way OT: Phrases you Hate 936On Fri, 9 Dec 2005, Puester Go, Gloria! No flameproof suit needed here. You're right. It seems that over the years educators in high places have not had...
"You wouldn't want her back the way she was, in all that pain, would you?" Why, do I *look* like a sadistic, selfish monster? Of course not, pea-brain, I want her back the way she was *before* she got sick.
"You didn't really think you'd have your grandmother still at age 35, did you?" I actually replied to this one (said to me by my sister-in-law.) "Well, gee, Lyn, did you think you'd have your mother at 35?" "Of course I did!" "But your mother was 42 when you were born." "I know how old my mother was!" "Well, my gramma was 42 when I was born, so yes, I thought I'd have her for a few more years."
And, of course, the ever popular, "Everything happens for a reason.", as mentioned above. Great. Perhaps you can tell me what possible reason there is for *anyone* to die of cancer? Perhaps my Gramma hadn't suffered enough prior to her diagnosis, and this was to even
As I said, stick with "I am so sorry to hear that."
Lisa Ann
