Random Thoughts

[Ahriman]

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.

Whoever you told to go to hell, must not really believe you.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

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

[no one]

In order to get to hell, you have to hang a right at Isengard, just past Mordor. If you reach Narnia, you've gone too far.

[zwanzig]

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.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

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.

Don’t feel too badly - the first time I heard the Americanism, ‘There’s more than one way to skin a cat’, I thought, ‘Why would you need more than one way?’

It was years before I found out that no cats were harmed in the making of this proverb.

Boru

[brewer]

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.

Tell them to turn left before they get to Pinckney.

[no one]

BSBIV:
Don’t feel too badly - the first time I heard the Americanism, ‘There’s more than one way to skin a cat’, I thought, ‘Why would you need more than one way?’

It was years before I found out that no cats were harmed in the making of this proverb.

About a monthish ago, a coworker was explaining how in his gaming group, one of the team members was from England, and he did not understand "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" proverb. I thought how can anyone not get that. Then, not 10 minutes later, another coworker who is from Nigeria, asked if anyone was sitting in a chair, to which I replied, "On your feet, lose your seat."
I could visibly watch the utter confusion wash over her face. And then I thought, "Oh, now I get it".

Sometimes you think words make so much sense, but not so much in other societies.

[T.J.]

On the negative I can't seem to keep my food down. But hopefully I'll get to see the doctor tomorrow and get some medication for this illness of mine.

I also now have 18 subscribers so I'm happy.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

BSBIV:
Don’t feel too badly - the first time I heard the Americanism, ‘There’s more than one way to skin a cat’, I thought, ‘Why would you need more than one way?’

It was years before I found out that no cats were harmed in the making of this proverb.

About a monthish ago, a coworker was explaining how in his gaming group, one of the team members was from England, and he did not understand "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" proverb. I thought how can anyone not get that. Then, not 10 minutes later, another coworker who is from Nigeria, asked if anyone was sitting in a chair, to which I replied, "On your feet, lose your seat."
I could visibly watch the utter confusion wash over her face. And then I thought, "Oh, now I get it".

Sometimes you think words make so much sense, but not so much in other societies.

That’s very true, but there are exceptions. I’ve been told ‘Go fuck yourself’ by people from at least a dozen different cultures. Their meaning was always unmistakable.

Boru

[onlinebiker]

BSBIV:
Don’t feel too badly - the first time I heard the Americanism, ‘There’s more than one way to skin a cat’, I thought, ‘Why would you need more than one way?’

It was years before I found out that no cats were harmed in the making of this proverb.

About a monthish ago, a coworker was explaining how in his gaming group, one of the team members was from England, and he did not understand "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" proverb. I thought how can anyone not get that. Then, not 10 minutes later, another coworker who is from Nigeria, asked if anyone was sitting in a chair, to which I replied, "On your feet, lose your seat."
I could visibly watch the utter confusion wash over her face. And then I thought, "Oh, now I get it".

Sometimes you think words make so much sense, but not so much in other societies.

That’s very true, but there are exceptions. I’ve been told ‘Go fuck yourself’ by people from at least a dozen different cultures. Their meaning was always unmistakable.

Boru

Except it New York city where it colloquial for "have a nice day"