Unacceptable platitudes
Unacceptable platitude #7: “Fair does not mean equal.”
“Fair does not mean equal” is a convenient phrase that is overly used in situations in which inequality exists and the ability to mitigate that inequality either doesn’t exist for structural or financial reasons or is beyond the intellectual and creative abilities of the people in charge to eliminate altogether. In other words, yes, “fair…
Read MoreUnacceptable platitude #6: “I never said I was perfect.”
“I never said I was perfect.” Criticizing someone does not imply that you are questioning their level of perfection. Discard this platitude like the piece of trash it is. Besides, you probably never assumed that they were perfect. Especially someone stupid enough to say something like “”I never said I was perfect.” Point this out…
Read MoreUnacceptable platitude #5: “It’s not the worst thing.”
In the past two days, two people have used told me that “It’s not the worst thing” in an attempt to mitigate my level of annoyance. On Sunday, I was asked to remove my hat from a restaurant in New York City. This is a request that never sits well with me, and for good…
Read MoreUnacceptable platitude #4: “To each his own.”
It’s been a long time since I added to my list of unacceptable platitudes. Past platitudes include: “That’s your opinion.” “Nobody’s perfect.” “At least I admit my faults.” Today I offer you a new one. “To each his own” “To each his own” is ridiculous. It is a statement that seeks to exonerate all human…
Read MoreUnacceptable platitude #3: “That’s your opinion.”
“That’s your opinion.” For clarification, this statement, and ones similar to it, are often made after a person states an opinion in the midst of a heated argument. For example: “No, I think chunky monkey is a the stupidest ice cream on the planet. Strawberry is clearly the best. It’s simple. It’s classic. It’s known…
Read MoreUnacceptable platitude #2: “Nobody’s perfect.”
“Nobody’s perfect.” Your perfection was never in question. In fact, it wasn’t even in the universe of possibility, so to imply that I might not have been aware of your imperfection only serves to highlight how far from perfect you are. Furthermore, how do you know that nobody’s perfect? Do you know everybody? Philosophers can’t…
Read MoreUnacceptable platitude #1: “At least I admit my flaws.”
“At least I admit my flaws.” How is this supposed to help me? I already know that you’re an idiot. Acknowledging your stupidity has no value to me. At least I admit my flaws? At least? This platitude is in no way an acknowledged means defending one’s position, nor is the passive-aggressive implication that I fail…
Read More