(December 5, 2021 at 11:51 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:(December 5, 2021 at 11:28 am)Ten Wrote: I understand this is talking about being diplomatic and subtle but I'm stuck on the "go to hell" aspect of the metaphor. I guess I'm having trouble following the logic of wanting to tell someone to go to hell but also wanting/allowing them to feel safe/like it's appropriate to ask ME for directions. I guess I'm an emotional firecracker with no tact. If I tell you to go to hell, I don't want you to feel confused about how I feel about you and I don't want you to think I'm talking about vacation, as if hell is somewhere you might be eager to go, "Oh! Sounds nice! So, which way is it?"
If I told you to go to hell and you asked me for directions, I'd think you were being a smug arsehole.
You wouldn’t actually use the phrase ‘go to hell’ (remember - this is about diplomacy). The idea is to make someone think you have their best interests at heart while you’re negotiating for your own best interests, and planning to give them a jolly good rogering in the process.
It’s similar to Will Rogers’, ‘Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice doggy” while reaching for a rock.’ There’s no actual dog and no actual rock.
Boru
Oh. Well, now that you say that, yes, that seems obvious. It just hit my brain weird, I suppose and I knee jerked.
