What causes a person to speak in the third person? "Me, mine, my, I" phobia? (narcissistic, men)

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by Rayjeena

While I haven't heard anyone speak that way (other than in the
rare, joking manner), I've seen a similar phenomenon online
lately where inspirational quotes, such as those posted over on
Facebook, are in the 3rd person.

For example (and this is a paraphrase), "She woke up one day
and decided to spread her wings and fly away. She was free."

I don't know why, but after seeing a number of those, they
now get on my nerves for some reason. It's like, who the
heck is this "she" they keep talking about?

It's supposed to appeal to every woman. Very popular in advertising and greeting cards.

There she goes again.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZM0nFUAx4o

[JaxRhapsody]

I don't see the problem with using "they" or "you," third person, however, is annoying outside of a joking manner. I actually considered putting Harrier in iggy out of annoyance, until he stopped posting so much. It's just a bad habit to me.

[Tracysherm]

I'm always confused by parents, grandparents, etc, who talk about themselves to little kids in the third person, as if little kids aren't going to understand the pronouns "I" and "me."

Come sit here with Mommy (said by Mommy).
Give that to Daddy (said by Daddy himself).
Give Grandma a kiss (said by Grandma).
Do you want to draw a picture with Aunt Tracy? (asked by Aunt Tracy).


I've never had kids, but I see people, even in my own family, doing this all the time.
Really, if you say "I" or "me" even to a toddler, they WILL know what you mean. Try it. No need to speak in this artificially cute way.

[70's Music Girl]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

My husband does that when he talks to the kids. The kids and I refer to it as the "creepy third person." And we ask him to say it over again without the creepy third person One day he will be trained not to do it. By then the kids will probably be grown.

Kids speak the truth, as adults were suppose to listen. I hope your husband listens and hears what the kids are saying.

[70's Music Girl]

There was a Seinfeld episode where Elaine likes this guy at the gym. Elaine was telling this guy (Jimmy) about a guy she likes and she thought when he kept saying, "Jimmy did this" " Jimmy doesn't like that" "Jimmy thinks Elaine is pretty" that he was referring to the guy she likes, but he was talking about himself !

[Green0]

A quote from "The Last Self-Help Book You'll Ever Need" by Paul Pearsall (from the chapter "Rosy the Healer"):

Rosy always referred to herself in the third person (I came to think of this as a small rebellion against a relentlessly “I”-focused society). As if she had literally lost herself in her work, when it was done, she would always ask, “Is there anything else Rosy can do for you before she leaves?” If nothingwas requested, she would bow her head and remain silent for just a moment, and then say in a very low whisper, “God bless you. See you tomorrow."

And an interesting article on topic:

Osho World Online Magazine :: February 2013

[blktoptrvl]

I think it is an affectation some people use because they think it makes them sound more intelligent. It isn't

[sheena12]

I think it's a bid for attention.

I also think it gives off major "serial killer" vibes.

[Green0]

June 7th from the religion forum does this all the time, and it seems very charming and unique (I think someone on this topic already mentioned her).

Originally Posted by sheena12

I also think it gives off major "serial killer" vibes.

That sounds bizarre to me, I would have never made such connection. The only serial killer I remember who did this was Patrick Bateman. And he probably wasn't a killer at all (Ellis' novel never makes it clear).

[bigpaul]

what is wrong with using "I", it just means what I think or do or act personally without referring to anyone else for their opinion or approval, its called being an individual, not a member of the herd(or flock) like most I could name(see "I" again!!)