Comments on: The Poison Phrase Police

By: Robert Harris

Robert Harris — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 13:29:10 +0000

I’ve used “no problem” many times meaning that the request really presented no problem to complete in the time requested. People often come to me to design a poster or banner in a short time frame. They come into my office, note that I’m busy on a project and start to leave. When I ask them how I can help, they acknowledge that I appear busy and don’t want to take up my time with a small request. I ask about their request. If I can complete it in the time requested without delaying my previous task I’ll accept the project. “Are you sure?” is the usual response, to which I say “No problem!.” This is a phrase that can be used both ways.

By: Vicky Baugh

Vicky Baugh — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 02:30:21 +0000

I find it is less what people say than the tone of voice in which they say it and the context of the remark that will annoy or irritate me. I have also learned that there are some people that I am “prepared to be annoyed with.”
I did the ranking exercise an very few of the choices were “poisonous” to me out of context, however when I went and read the stories I can certainly understand their being categorized that way.

By: Virginia

Virginia — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 23:30:40 +0000

Just now I was filling out the Poison Phrases survey when I came across the phrase “Do you understand?” I’ve often used this line to confirm with my listener that they are following what I am saying. I am surprised to find it is a Poison Phrase! Could you please help me understand why?