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"Get a life"

(56 Posts)
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Grannyknot Wed 24-Apr-13 07:58:17

"Get a life" may be a crude and harsh way to express it, but it was the best advice I was given (gently by my mother-in-law) when I was a young 'golf widow' (I married into a family of golfers) and I used to mope around miserably and bleat about my husband being on the golf course on weekends, making everyone around me including my children unhappy too.

What it meant to me (when I got the message) was that I was no longer dependent on something or someone else to make me happy (or blamed them or it for my unhappiness), but I simply got on with my life and made the best of it. And enjoyed it!

Although it didn't make things right (he was being selfish), I started enjoying my independence, harmony returned to my home, and not long and it would be a case of "What do you mean you're not playing golf this weekend?! I'm off with so-and-so to do such-and-such. Bye!" smile So to me being told to "get a life" was a good thing.

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Greatnan Wed 24-Apr-13 19:16:51

Why would I need help of that sort? When in a hole, jingle..........

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j08 Wed 24-Apr-13 19:20:56

Yes. I'll stop digging. grin

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nanaej Wed 24-Apr-13 23:27:40

'get a life' usually means stop moaning and do something about your unhappiness so I guess it matters how you are being told to do so and by whom. Said in and irritated or aggressive way it is just plain rude!

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Eloethan Thu 25-Apr-13 00:24:20

Though the phrase "get a life" is in common usage and may not be intended to be offensive, it is in effect a rather dismissive and sarcastic criticism of another person. Confident people might be able to shrug off the remark but those who are less self-assured or emotionally vulnerable may be very hurt by these words.

It's difficult to know another person's state of mind and, since it might hurt someone's feelings, why use this phrase?

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Elegran Thu 25-Apr-13 08:58:17

Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is very difficult when you have no strength and nothing to lean on. Those standing confident and upright on solid ground may see it as lack of effort, but they are not in the quicksand.

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