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I think its the exaggeration I can't stand

(120 Posts)
volver Tue 17-Jan-23 09:12:08

I think that's why I feel I have to reply to some posts in a way that's seen as negative, by some. Why do people exaggerate so?

All Met officers are corrupt.

All politicians are in it for themselves.

All SNP voters hate the English.

All the strikers are trying to bring down the government.

(I don't believe any of these, let me make that clear.)

Why do people take these attitudes? Is it just an attempt to make life simple in their minds, when it's anything but?

M0nica Tue 17-Jan-23 12:40:39

It is something I try not to do, and I suspect, my pernickeytness, irritates a number of people.

What I do not like about broad generalisations is that they turn those covered by them into stereotypes and into 'lumpen proletariat' and this, is where the primrose road to prejudice and the exclusion of groups starts, whether Jews, gay, disabled, communists.

SueDonim Tue 17-Jan-23 12:43:46

I feel the same when the word ‘we’ is used when speaking of thoughts or feelings. How can it be known that everyone thinks/feels the same thing?

MerylStreep Tue 17-Jan-23 13:04:22

Kate1949

I think it's very kind of you to constantly tell us we are wrong volver.

Couldn’t agree more, Katie. I don’t think we show Volver enough gratitude for how she educates us.

eazybee Tue 17-Jan-23 13:07:21

All politicians are in it for themselves

Of course they are, as is everyone in whatever career, job, vocation they choose for themselves. People work to earn a living and they generally choose to do something they enjoy, they think they are good at, that brings them pleasure, that will benefit themselves as well as others. even nuns and monks and the clergy.

dragonfly46 Tue 17-Jan-23 13:07:35

Ouch!!

volver Tue 17-Jan-23 13:09:54

I'm not commenting much on this thread yet because I'm interested to see what people say about the OP.

But I am learning just who the sad people are who think that random attacks on other posters are funny, or somehow make them look clever or part of the big girls' gang.

AGAA4 Tue 17-Jan-23 13:24:12

I enjoy reading Volver's posts and I agree there is some exaggeration on here.
I know I exaggerate about things rather than people eg I told my DD there was loads of snow here when there is half an inch.

dragonfly46 Tue 17-Jan-23 13:31:13

My DH is the greatest exaggerator I know.
If he quotes a figure or a length of time you have to halve it. I do not know why he does it but he is convinced he is right when questioned.

HousePlantQueen Tue 17-Jan-23 13:49:12

I totally agree with Volver on this, which is why I got so annoyed by some of the comments on the thread about the Met Police Officer convicted of rape, and was then subsequently accused of wearing rose tinted glasses'. I get intensely irritated too when people comment on my behalf as in everyone knows or everyone hates'. Maybe it is a mix of language and grammar pedantry and affront that others are speaking for me. By the way, those of you nit picking and jumping on everything Volver says, can I just point out that it is intensely irritating to some of us? We are all entitled to our opinions, and as others have said tackle the ball, not the player.

Nanatoone Tue 17-Jan-23 13:58:19

I get annoyed and tend to avoid, posts with exaggerated or over the top content. I love a debate, as long as it’s reasonable and not personal. I know we all feel very passionate about some things, that’s different for us all (though the same thing often) and that’s ok as long as you realise it’s your opinion and you have no right to impose your view on others. I felt very passionate about the H&M posts for various reasons and tried not to say too much as that’s not a good time to post. I enjoy most posts and get most out of the ones where experienced people have something to say about current affairs. I do not like the constant sniping that goes on, it’s very boring to read.

MerylStreep Tue 17-Jan-23 14:44:26

i don’t like the constant sniping that goes on, it’s very boring to read
So is constantly being told how wrong you are.

Baggs Tue 17-Jan-23 14:52:23

It's possible to avoid reading posts by someone whose posts one has learned to dislike or whose posts bore one.

Norah Tue 17-Jan-23 14:55:20

eazybee

^All politicians are in it for themselves^

Of course they are, as is everyone in whatever career, job, vocation they choose for themselves. People work to earn a living and they generally choose to do something they enjoy, they think they are good at, that brings them pleasure, that will benefit themselves as well as others. even nuns and monks and the clergy.

Said of design build contractors as well. It's false and annoying. They're in fact building what people want or couldn't stay in business.

Lucca Tue 17-Jan-23 15:03:16

MerylStreep

Kate1949

I think it's very kind of you to constantly tell us we are wrong volver.

Couldn’t agree more, Katie. I don’t think we show Volver enough gratitude for how she educates us.

Where has that happened on this thread ! What does that have to with the OP ?

I think people do it because it’s easy ? Or an attempt to just have their viewpoint come over as the only possible opinion ?

halfpint1 Tue 17-Jan-23 15:38:25

I don't mind the exaggerations, its the put down comments
that are rude and unnecessary

NotSpaghetti Tue 17-Jan-23 16:25:19

Delila

Don’t you think the wider audience listening to exaggerated spoutings can usually discriminate between exxageration and the truth NotSpaghetti?

No, I think many people in that wider audience are taken in. Especially if things are said often enough and with enough force!

LauraNorderr Tue 17-Jan-23 16:35:40

I’ve just eaten an omelette made with two dozen eggs.
Now that’s eggsageration.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 17-Jan-23 16:36:50

Followed by constipation I fear.

LauraNorderr Tue 17-Jan-23 16:38:11

Oh yes GSM eggstremely painful.

AGAA4 Tue 17-Jan-23 16:38:44

Very eggstreme Laura

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 17-Jan-23 16:38:50

😱

AGAA4 Tue 17-Jan-23 16:39:05

Sorry X post!

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 17-Jan-23 16:47:57

I would suggest an eggxtra helping of prunes (yuk) tomorrow. If we don’t hear from you tomorrow we will understand you’re otherwise ‘engaged’.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 17-Jan-23 16:48:59

Apologies for diverting thread with schoolboy humour.😊

VioletSky Tue 17-Jan-23 17:10:04

I don't trust people who exaggerate and I don't feel they are able to be objective.

Exaggeration is exactly why we have stereotyping and stereotyping leads to racism and homophobia and transphobia and...

Being unable to seperate the deeds of an individual from the demographic they represent shows bigotry.

It just leads to fear, rumour, gossip, conjecture... All that gross stuff