Gransnet forums

Chat

'Reaching out '

(65 Posts)
Aveline Wed 27-Aug-25 11:02:54

Since when did the oleaginous 'reaching out' become a substitute for just plain 'contacting' or even just emailing?
I find it nauseating and instantly take against anyone who thanks me for 'reaching out'. Pah. Modern life.

mokryna Thu 28-Aug-25 17:00:53

When youngest DD, who lives in the UK, complained to me that her DSi, who has lived most of her life in France, hadn’t ‘reached out’ to her, I replied that I didn’t see any reason for her to do so as she had no problems. It was of course the wrong thing to say, I had to point out the difference between what we used to say, ‘hadn’t been in contact’ and her ‘reaching out’.

Paperbackwriter Thu 28-Aug-25 17:06:21

Someone else might already have said this but my feeling is that unless you are a member of the Four Tops, the term 'reach out' is not to be used.

WithNobsOnIt Thu 28-Aug-25 17:13:48

I also do not like reaching out especially when my Trainee Solicitor used it. I thought that using the word contact, would have been a lot more professional.

Reminds me of that cheesy awful song.
Reach out and touch somebody's hand. Make this world a better place. Yuk!

Even the BBC now use these words, phrases and expressions on a daily basis!

We have always adopted so called Americanisms in this country. And language and expressions change daily. But now with the Internet and mobile phones. It seem to do it
at a rate of knots.

You can't legislate for the words people use and the way they use them. l

But l think language is very telling about people's attention span. lack of vocabulary, ;imagination and general lack of comprehension and the ability to be precise and discerning.

This is not a class thing by the way.

Sorry for the punctuation but l have
.stiffness and shaking in my hands due to arthritis.

My pet hates are

Pretty
Awesome
So
Yeah
Epic
The best version of my self
At the top of the show
Heads up.

Going now, but l hope someone posts a thread on pronunciation and and the massive loss of consonants which is now common place and widespread in England.
⚰️🔮⏳👾📙

Applegran Thu 28-Aug-25 17:17:42

I do see that lots of people do not like these new phases - but personally I just think language has always changed and will change again. The phrases you don't like may well disappear as time goes by - but I realise that they will still annoy you till that happens! I wish you well (and hope you are ok with this phrase!) smile

Allsorts Thu 28-Aug-25 17:20:21

Have not had anyone reaching out but someone did touch base during their busy schedule.

ClicketyClick Thu 28-Aug-25 17:22:29

Drives me nuts when DH introduces me as his other half. Err no, I don't remember being born a Siamese twin.

Musicgirl Thu 28-Aug-25 17:28:16

I'm afraid I have come across some younger people talking about bathrooms and gotten is becoming regrettably common on MN. American words are fine in the USA as long as they stay there - sorry, American G'netters. As for reaching out - what is wrong with the old-fashioned phrase getting in touch? I also dislike the turning of verbs into nouns. As for Enjoy, you guys when addressing a group of mature ladies....

valdavi Thu 28-Aug-25 21:01:21

silverlining48

I don’t like the terms grab yourself something, we used to get told it’s rude to grab

Also dislike can I get instead of can I have or I would like.
I always want to say yes it’s in the kitchen on a shelf by the door…or something similar.

These are Americanisms which we keep picking up.
Well I don’t actually, but the youngsters do. I have found myself correcting my gc but it has little effect.

At least we don’t say bathrooms… not yet anyway.

Both my sons ask for the "bathroom" when in cafe / restaurant etc. It embarrasses me.

HelterSkelter1 Fri 29-Aug-25 07:03:47

I don't mind "bathroom"although I have a long list of things I don't like.
Asking for directions to the Ladies often results in a quizzical look. So many are now unisex. Even asking for the toilets has resulted in a blank stare. I shall ask for the bathroom next time I need to ask and see what the result is.

bibibetti Fri 29-Aug-25 17:13:32

How about :I am good thanks ; when you offer something

Scribbles Fri 29-Aug-25 17:27:32

I will try not to reach out to you, Aveline, but if I do make contact and ask your advice, please, please don't "signpost" me to a solution!

NanaBabs1 Sat 30-Aug-25 07:53:32

How about ‘it’s so fun’ instead of ‘it’s such fun’ - a handy abbreviation of ‘so much’. It’s everywhere now. 😖

NanKate Sat 30-Aug-25 08:04:29

It’s very/so unique 😩

silverlining48 Sat 30-Aug-25 11:24:07

How about ‘cute’ used randomly even for things not normally regarded as particularly cute.
An example heard recently, a cute tree? 🌳 who would call a regular big old tree cute. 🥰 ?