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I think they are generally wanting you to say "No, you're fine." or words to that effect. People that know the truth but want to deny it to themselves. Same happens with age, looks, etc. Few people are looking for advice which is what I would give them. "Get off the junk food. Get some exercise." I'm not an enabler.
It depends a bit on what the OP's job is. He says he works with the public, but the answer is going to be different depending on if he's working at a gym or is in health care or is a server at a restaurant. For former, he'd be in a position to dole out advice. For the latter, all anyone wants to hear is, "well, nobody needs fries, but they are good."
I used to do what I call the "Kelly Ripa" response to anything vaguely controversial anyone said back while I was working.
Just go "MMMMMMMM" in a monotone. And look a little off to the side when you're making the noise, don't look them in the eye.
It is completely meaningless, doesn't mean that you agree or disagree, tells them that you hear them, and tells them that you are not really engaging them in conversation.
I would say, "Yeah, don't we all?" Or some such. Virtually all Americans could stand to drop a few pounds. If you are quite fit, then, you could say, "it's really hard to stay in shape" or something similar.
No need to lie. And there is no need to be brutal. How someone lives is not of your concern.
This!
Quote:
Originally Posted by 601halfdozen0theother
I used to do what I call the "Kelly Ripa" response to anything vaguely controversial anyone said back while I was working.
Just go "MMMMMMMM" in a monotone. And look a little off to the side when you're making the noise, don't look them in the eye.
So I have a thread about me lying to people about their age, now I thought I would have one about weight.
I work with the public and I do get the occasional remark by customers that they put on weight and need to lose. Even though I think they probably should I politely lie and say they are fine or divert the attention and say I need to lose some weight as well.
Since most posters thought being a liar telling someone they look younger than they look is worse, what are you thoughts about weight? Is it more 'okay' to lie to someone that they don't need to lose weight or disagree that they are not overweight when it's clearly the case they should or are? Are you honest when someone asks you if they are fat/overweight?
My pet peeves are people fishing for youth compliments or telling them they are in fine shape and don't need to lose weight. Either way I just lie to not make anyone feel bad. But if it's someone close to me then I don't mind mentioning to the person losing a few pounds would be better for your health.
I tell them, "You're right! You look like a fat tub of sh*t and I'm repulsed just being in your presence." Then I walk away.
If OP works with general public in customer service and worries so much about idle chit chat then maybe the OP should consider different line of work. It's so not difficult to be polite and not worry about other peoples' issues. People go out in public for human interaction otherwise they can spend their whole lives behind a screen talking to strangers. Some people need to learn the art of engaging actual humans face-to
-face. I am teaching my daughter this so she is not rude and anti- social.
I wish life was simple enough that I had time to
over analyze every tiny thing people do & say...
If I mention I want to lose 10 lbs it is usually in the context of a conversation about
diet & exercise in general and it is not fishing for any specific response..
Just making conversation...
I like to hear other peoples ideas. People often have
a diet idea to share.
Saying something like..."I'm trying to lose a few pounds myself".
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