Catch phrases you should quit saying according to Men’s Health:
- “I meant to…” — Translation: “I thought of you, and then immediately thought of something better.” It’s not always the thought that counts.
- “I’m sorry you feel that way.” — An apology doesn’t need to be long or repetitious. You just need to mean it, and to acknowledge that you were wrong not that someone thought you were wrong.
- “I’m not here to make friends.” — Reality TV contestants say that to each other all the time. Seriously. Search the phrase on YouTube. Know when that attitude helps in the real world? Never.
- “It’s a wi –win.” – Say that and other people hear, “I win and you lose, but you won’t realize that for another 2 weeks when I’m nowhere to be found, so in the end, I win twice.”
- “How much do I owe?” — Long division is for the classroom, not the restaurant. Pick up the check once in a while and you won’t feel guilty when your friends do it. It all evens out.
- “Here’s what you should do.” — Girls are right: You don’t have to fix every problem. Listening is its own form of help. So let her or your buddy vent, and offer direction only if they ask, “What should I do?”
- Anything you scream over live music. — We’re not sure why you’re at the show if you’re not listening, but rest assured everyone else paid $100 to hear “Jungleland,” not what you had for dinner. And when you scream into somebody’s ear, it hurts.
- “Cheers!” — It’s like a British car on U.S. roads: ill fitting and dangerous.
- “Oh, I know. That’s like when I…” — When a person’s telling a story, this is not an invitation to break in with your own anecdote. Your pal has the floor. When it’s your turn, you’ll appreciate his silence.
- “Can you help me move?” — It’s fun to move friends into dorm rooms, not into real homes. If you have a job, come on: Pony up for movers. Then you can invite your friends over for a housewarming party. You’ll be amazed how much beer they’re happy to carry in themselves.
- “I’m a good multitasker.” — No, you’re not. Nobody is. And as you peck at your BlackBerry under the dinner table, everyone is silently offended. But at least whoever you’re writing is enjoying a lousy e-mail.
- “When are you going to stop talking?” — Maybe you’re not saying it out loud, but we can all see it on your unengaged face. If a conversation bores you, make it better by contributing.
- “You’re wrong.” — Healthy disagreement makes you an interesting guy to talk to. Dismissing someone’s idea entirely makes you a radio yakker.
- “Call you back later, okay?” — Men have a hard enough time reaching out. When your friend says, “Hey, I need to talk,” he isn’t being casual. He’s downplaying. And whatever else you’re doing can wait.
