Don’t you hate it when people preface some nasty remark with an insincere up-front apology – as if that justifies their tone or gives them leeway to be ungracious. I always cringe when I hear certain caveats that just serve as a trigger for delivering some especially sharp retort or critical insight.
Here are some of the most commonly used apologies:
– Please don’t take this the wrong way, but… (What other way did you think I would take it?)
– I don’t mean this to sound harsh, but… (sure sounds harsh to me)
– I don’t want to throw stones, but… (no but you have no problem heaving boulders)
– I hope this doesn’t sound critical, but… (it sure doesn’t sound encouraging)
– I’m not pointing the finger at anyone, but… (just remember whenever you point fingers there are three fingers pointing back at yourself)
– I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but…
– I ain’t trying to diss you, but…
– I don’t want to harsh your mellow, but…
(You can see I got some help from the younger generation at the end there.)