Tag: pet peeve

I have a pet peeve that I have not been able outgrow. It is any statement that starts with “they” said. As a child, my daughter used the statement when asking for permission to go out with friend, “They said to ask if I could_______”.  I put a blank because I have no clue what else was stated. “They” said would void the entire sentence. I explained to my daughter how much I detest the statement. I even told her to be direct with her request. But she insisted on “they” said, so the answer became no to everything with “they” said in the sentence. But she was a child, deflecting her desires into “they” said hoping I would say yes. With adults the pet peeve worsened. Coworkers that “they” said me would be met with strong unforgettable words. Associates that “they” said me would be ignored as if a child and never became a friend. Family that “they” said me would be warned of my distaste, then ignored, and finally met with strong unforgettable words. And my inner circle knew that I did not care what “they” said and avoided the statement. So why do I deplore “they” said you might ask?

1. ““They” said is a cowardly expression. Anyone who knows me, know that I am not going to throw a rock and hide my hand. I am bold enough to throw the rock, stand there with another, and throw it as well. “They” is hiding their identity. If you have anything worth saying, own it. People who make bold statements need to be identified. My Lorrieism is if you cannot stand by what you speak, you cannot stand for anything. And why be so bold to make a statement then shrug away from rebuttal or consequences. If you are weak at heart maybe silence should be the preferred stance.
2. “They” are irrelevant. So, an unidentified person or persons is speaking into people lives or about peoples lives and others should care. I will not, shall not, do not care what “they” said about anything. Many are gossiping, full of drama, bearers of foolishness. It is pathetic to speak about others business when you can speak on your own. Or is that the problem! “They” do not have any business worth discussing of their own. Spewing vile comments about others because the gossip of someone else is better than their reality. Surely igniting false opinions and illuminating flaws of others can not bring joy.  Or does it?
3. “They” facts are over exaggerated and often completely false. (With the exception of a group of men, who do not qualify as “they”. Men are often telling the truth but leaving out the names of the people standing there. Another exception is an Associate that never became a friend. Because they never gained enough trust to be a member of your inner circle. I digress.) The point is “they” do not know you. “They” are making superficial or erroneous statements with little to no credibility. My Lorrieism is a statement void of fact is fake news that can be demolished with good character.

And even worse than “they” said is the person who tries to relay to me what “they” said. When addressing this person, I question, “Why do “they” feel so comfortable discussing me with you?” Are you a member of “they” said? Are you one who enjoy the drama filled foolishness? Are you bold enough to have a face- to- face conversation about false accusations with me? Then I state, “They need a life, relevancy, and facts before consider speaking about me. And “they” are probably discussing your foolishness as we speak, because “they” are not loyal”. Then I offer a small bit of advice, “They need to spend time cleaning up their mess instead of creating mess for others”. My final response leading up to strong unforgettable words is, “If “they” said all of this, what do you say?” This abruptly ends the “they” said conversation.