AS Field Trip Recap: Part II

So this blog is a follow up to my last one. In my last blog I ended with the question: why do people go out of their way to mask their hateful comments? After thinking about it a little bit I came to the conclusion that Americans try and mask their hateful comments because they want to play the role of the reluctant hero, a term that has been used so often in our AS class. 

    Americans act as if they do not want to say these things but it had to be said for the betterment of the group to whom he/she is talking to. By using phrases such  as "No offence, but," or "I hate to say this, but," we paint the picture that we mean to be selfless, but at the same time honest people that don't normally like to say this. Then we convince ourselves that what comes next is an honest, harmless truth that everyone would benefit from hearing.

We say that by making a "no offence" statement we will be saving our listeners from making a mistake or being a hero and saying what everyone else is thinking. Masking these offensive comments is a way for people  to swoop in and be the hero and say what they feel is the brutal truth that everyone needs to hear. 

Unfortunately though, people do find that offensive. And the "no offence" saying does not cover-up any harmful comment. People should really consider following the "If you have nothing nice to say don't say it" more often.