How come people say "no offense" as a preface

[Coventina]

to something they know darn well is offensive?

I don't get it.

:shrug:

Do they think that by saying "no offense" first that it somehow excuses the remark? Or are they telling the person, "You're not allowed to be offended by what I'm about to say?"

[Blue-Jay]

1. No offense, but that's the dumbest post I've seen all day.

*runs away*

[Coventina]

4. LOL! Thanks! I needed that!

:D

[davidinalameda]

2. its a CYA thing

its to disarm the person about to be offended

[Modem Butterfly]

3. I use that a lot

It's my way of saying, "I don't think this is offensive, but just in case you find it offensive, please ask me about my intentions before you freak out. You might find it wasn't as offensive as you might have thought,"

[Phentex]

14. That's how I take it. Someone will find offense no matter what....

I take it as "I'm about to say something you might not want to hear, but I am not trying to offend you..."

[Modem Butterfly]

17. Well! How utterly convenient for YOU to have a little phrase you can use!

Just practicing my outrage.

:evilgrin:

[redqueen]

5. When I use it it means

"I'm not trying to insult you, but someone realy should tell you..."

[Webster Green]

6. I like the Archie Bunker version....

"No intense offended"

I still laugh when I think about him saying it.

[tridim]

7. "With all due respect" bothers me

Especially when the person doesn't deserve any respect, like Republicans congressmen. I hear that all the time.

[Straight Shooter]

8. Pluggers know that nothing good ever comes after "With all due respect"

A great cartoon strip from years ago, I saved it. It shows a capitano of a firing squad offering a cigarette to the bound prisoner.

Cracks me up every time I look at it, and reminds me that "With all due respect" is usually spoken to people for whom we actually have very little or no respect whatsoever.

bush: "With all due respect, my fellow Americans, would you like a little Vaseline first, or shall I deliver it raw?"

[undergroundpanther]

11. It's shame

When a person is intending to be a shit head but wants to save face,sometimes they preface it with No offense,,,
But in fact if it hurts it was meant to do that to you.
The writer just doesn't want to be held accountable for what he says.
It's sorta like when a bully who accidentally on purpose knocks a drink on your lap ,and blames you for being so damn clumsy around other people in a 'comical' appearing way,suddenly smirks saying "just joking" and you leave the scene feeling like you have just been insulted and you don't know why it bothers you.

It's an underhanded use of language some people wanting to be an ass and get away with it,use to socially excuse the same old verbal emotional sadism by making the assumption for you ahead of your own reactions,that you must see their words as "not an offense" Even if it is offensive..it's a manipulation of perception.A dirty game...

If you really mean no offense,don't go excusing yourself as you show your ass to somebody. Instead be honest, don't be offending or admit it,you are being an ass and take the music from the offended party like an adult.Or apologize and admit you were offensive and take steps to smooth things and don't brandish your petty ego as you apologize for being an ass,than things may be OK.

[bloodyjack]

9. "Now, I'm no expert" prefaces a lot of inspired tripe too

[Midlodemocrat]

10. It's like when someone says

I am not a bigot, BUT.......

God I hate that.

[jswordy]

12. It's because they WANT you to take offense...it's sort of a...

...suggestive sell!

But I don't mean that in a bad way! LOL ;)

[Coventina]

15. Yeah, it just seems passive-agressive to me

"no offense BUT......(I'm going to offend you anyway)"

[Ladyhawk]

13. I started exactly one thread like this.

It was intended to explain that I didn't mean any harm, but that the content might be misunderstood. Funny thing is, I didn't go back to see the responses in the thread because I was afraid it would degenerate into a flame war despite my best intentions. Sigh.

GD is like a forest that has suffered through ten drought years. It doesn't take much to cause a firestorm.

[AlCzervik]

16. because it's not genuine?

it's like when someone says..."I can't stand Toyota's....not yours of course, your's is really nice"