6 Hidden Meanings Behind Everyday Polite Phrases

We do our best to be courteous on a daily basis, hoping to skate through life avoiding confrontations. Here are some common phrases that we have all used once or twice, and what they can actually imply. The intent is sincere most of the time, but sometimes you are simply trying to disguise the fact that you’re a huge A-hole..

1. Help Yourself!

Intention: I am trying to make you feel comfortable enough to approach whatever is being offered or extending an invitation to partake.

Occasionally Implies: Go get it yourself, I am not going to serve it you. I secretly hope you are still shy as hell and don’t take too much.

2. Feel Free

Intention: Don’t be shy, be comfortable! There are no chains around here!

Occasionally Implies: Can be used with sarcasm to hide the face that you’d really rather they DIDN’T do whatever is being suggested as in “Feel free to [not] do that”

3. Age Before Beauty (if anyone even still says this for real)

Intention: I am showing my superior/ elder respect by holding a door open or allowing them to enter first.

Occasionally Implies: Age before beauty? No this is never 100% polite. If that isn’t intentionally a back handed compliment, then I’m doing it wrong

4. Make Yourself At Home

Intention: You are a guest in my house, I don’t want you to be too shy to sit on the furniture, use whatever dishes you want and to comfortably get up and go where you want to go.

Occasionally Implies: I can’t feasibly sit here and give you permission for every little thing that goes on in my house, as long as you don’t ACTUALLY treat this place like your home. Still be shy to a degree- stay out of my drawers, use common sense when scouring the fridge, and if I smell one bodily function in my house you are gonezo.

5. Don't Mention It

Intention: I am happy to do something nice for you, I don’t need praise. And don’t worry bud, you don’t owe me anything.

Occasionally Implies: Next time I need something, I’m calling you. If you decline, I will be forced to passive aggressively bring up that one time I helped you. This one is almost always what we really mean.

6. It’s Fine, No Big Deal

Intention: I’m not going to get upset over this, and want to assure you that I am a reasonable adult.

Occasionally Implies: It’s not fine. It is a big deal. I am only saying this because I know my mental/physical capabilities can’t win in a fight. I’m going to drink a beer way too fast and blog my feels.