Who cares?

valdavi

I hate "it is what it is" my DH uses it all the time about stuff in our business, it means "keep your nose out".
Worst thing is, I pick up sayings so when I'm with friends I sometimes say it myself then want to whack myself round the head!

Valdavi, you mentioned you think ‘it is what it is’ means ‘keep your nose out’. I don’t understand how you can think that.

Surely it means that circumstances are just that. My husband and I used that phrase all the time he was dying from cancer. It meant that the circumstances were just what they were and couldn’t be changed. It meant acceptance of the horrendous side effects of chemo and of his impending death. It gave us peace of mind in a strange way.

Perhaps your husband isn’t being rude to you at all but just giving you a factual heads up on matters.

A different choice of words which means much the same. Each to their own way of expressing their opinion in any given circumstance. Whatever one chooses is hardly a hanging offence.

‘I don’t mind which restaurant we go to’ would be my choice of vocabulary … I’m not saying I’m right, but that’s how I would say it ..

these not theses

Apologies, Gransnetters, I stated I have never said 'I don't care.' I have uttered theses words in situation like, 'I don't care if we go to restaurant 1 or 2 as they both serve food I like.' Would I utter them in a situation that would hurt or harm someone, no I wouldn't.

In certain circumstances 'yes'. Personally, I have never stated 'I don't care'. Doesn't mean I do care though. Just not something I am prepared to waste my time on.

It’s down right rude to comment ‘who cares?’

I actually found this thread quite interesting in that it shows the ability of different generations to coin their own phrase. Around 25 years ago, when I was in teaching, 'who cares' was 'talk to the hand'. I love the way each generation puts its own stamp on the common language. The current expression seems to be, for situations rather than RIP posts, 'not my circus, not my monkeys'. I quite like that. Sometimes the young, without realising it, reinvent old sayings. The comment, 'what's your beef?' is one I remember from my childhood. Long may reinvention, and recycling of, the language continue.

Fidelity2

Another off expression is ...What's up!....meaning What is wrong

To me that means, "What is happening?" Generic what's happening in your life in general or what's happening in the moment.

I think it means the person who posted it doesn't care. Though it's a waste of time response and a bit rude. Just leave if the thread isn't of interest.

I don't know where the ..What is wrong.org has come from!!

Another off expression is ...What's up!....meaning What is wrong

I think it is all about everything you have mentioned and why and the behaviour of the people who say it. Not very bright.

I don't know why either, some people post stuff when they really have nothing to say.
Says something about their inner lfe?

Nothing better to do

Who cares has always been popular with teenagers. Including myself .
Having to listen to hours of WH Auden poetry at school.
Eventually grow out it when they have to get a job and grow up a bit

Back on the day we used it to put down male nerds and trainspotting types and very important types who liked to Lord it and loved the sound of their own voice.

Well Done for bringing this subject up.

I hate "it is what it is" my DH uses it all the time about stuff in our business, it means "keep your nose out".
Worst thing is, I pick up sayings so when I'm with friends I sometimes say it myself then want to whack myself round the head!

BlueBelle

Well I m never sure why someone who doesn’t care has bothered to read the post in the first place or even answered it
Thats a complete opposite statement isn’t it ?

Um, yes you're 100% right.
Some of the celeb posts I whizz past & might have a private grimace, but life's too short to call out others about their fads.

Snap me too haven't heard it for years

I have never used it, it is dismissive. Expressions that irk, a stranger saying Have a good day or the continuous, love you peppering conversations and ending them.

Witzend

IMO it’s very irritating when used as a sole reply to a post. If you ‘don’t care’ and aren’t interested in whatever it is, why bother replying at all?

Absolutely witzend

I think, by making a statement of “I don’t care”, or “it doesn’t affect my life” after another poster has made a comment on say a famous person/s, to me is like saying, “get a life”, don’t be nasty!
So yes I think plain it’s rude.

IMO it’s very irritating when used as a sole reply to a post. If you ‘don’t care’ and aren’t interested in whatever it is, why bother replying at all?

I haven't seen it so much here on GN, except in Pedants' Corner. As I care very much about correct spelling, punctuation and grammar, I find the comment annoying and wonder why that person is in PC in the first place.

Agree Fridayschild I find the comment rude and dismissive.

I think “Who cares” is just another way of those people saying “I don’t care”. Just unnecessary and often hurtful which is probably what they are aiming to be.

Who Cares? May really be a genuine question. Who does actually care about numerous problems around the world?

I think if someone says ''would it upset you if someone failed to remove their opera gloves when taking a drink in the theatre bar" it would be reasonable to answer with 'I'm not bothered' or 'I don't care' (unless, of course such an oversight would give you a fit of the vapours). A straight answer to a straight question.

If someone says 'Cosi fan tute' is on BBC 2 this evening they are giving information to posters who might be interested, and in that case, a reply of 'who cares?' would, IMO be rude, as it dismisses the attempt to be helpful.