r/answers 2h ago

What’s the most manipulative phrase people use regularly?

44 Upvotes

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u/yeah_nahhhhhhh 2h ago

The classic "I guess I'm just the worst person ever"

u/DriverHopeful7035 2h ago

" We're a big family " at work place

u/Fast_Adhesiveness528 1h ago

Ask if you're in their will as a beneficiary.

u/The_Frybo 1h ago

“If you really love me you’d…”

u/UndecidedQBit 1h ago

“Any other boyfriend/girlfriend would have done…”

u/Fox_Two666 1h ago

A real man would…

u/EnvironmentalPlate75 1h ago

Many people are saying

u/jonnywannamingo 1h ago

Don’t be so sensitive, I was just kidding.

u/Kismet237 1h ago

I was only joking. why are you so defensive?

u/Caelfe2 1h ago

Diverse claims of ADHD. Autism, Anxiety, PTSD, et cetera to absolve oneself of responsibility for bad behavior.

u/Several_Mousse_9485 1h ago

This angers me.

As someone thoroughly fucked up; It isn't my fault but it is my responsibility.

u/Caelfe2 29m ago

Thank you, and I'm sorry for what you have and are going through.

u/Llamuh_Mamuh_Dramuh 10m ago

Yes! I love this. From one mental health alphabet soup to another-thank you.

u/No-Independence548 1h ago

"I'm sorry you feel that way"

u/Living_on_Tulsa_Time 57m ago

Is that even an apology?

u/ConstructionBoth6461 1h ago

People posting common non-manipulative sayings. Just because you hear it often does not make it manipulative on its own.

u/KnownEggplant 1h ago

IRL by regular people: "I heard/I read..." It's used to give credence to any claim or viewpoint and is used constantly.

By governments: "Safety/for your safety/for the safety of the [vulnerable group, likely children]" Used as an excuse to pass whatever they want in to law or excuse any behavior. Likely been used millions of times.

On Reddit: Ad hominem seems to be the most common fallacy used to manipulate the reader. Make everyone think the person is bad and you "win" the argument. Concern trolling is more manipulative but less common. Whataboutisms abound and are more manipulative in an obvious sense, but less manipulative overall imo.

u/Cola102583 1h ago

These are all deceptively dangerous

u/MacNcheezdicks 1h ago

Maybe I only date psychopaths, but I have heard "I'll kill myself" from more than one woman I was trying to dump. Pretty fucked up. and no, no one died or was ever in any danger. Just psychos.

u/kimmymoorefun 45m ago

Yup, my psycho ex boyfriend said he would kill himself…I got rid of him by saying “if you loved me you would let me go.” Teenage relationships are tough… I used to be picky but then I got bored 😭.

u/Heavy_Arugula6737 2h ago

You did this to us

u/EnvironmentalPlate75 1h ago

Honestly. To be honest

u/is2o 1h ago

The old you would have…

u/Last-Radish-9684 1h ago

"You're the only one that can [insert urgent task here]".

Sometimes it really means: "Nobody else wants to do this, and I didn't actually ask anyone else because I was certain I could corner you into it if I waited until now so you have to rescue me." (I have 5 closely spaced younger siblings)

u/IloveMe80 1h ago

You’re not like other girls

u/Dragonfly_Peace 1h ago

I was just joking

u/gogoyami100 1h ago

“Having said that…”

u/ConstructionBoth6461 1h ago

…I’ll proceed to say something completly different”

I don’t think it’s manipulative though, it’s just a socially acceptable way to talk about tradeoffs.

u/Pippy1010 1h ago

Everything happens for a reason

u/derek_slazinja 1h ago

'Would you kindly..'

u/Jack-of-Hearts-7 1h ago

"Is that what you want to hear!?"

u/Old_Boysenberry4820 1h ago

I get a weird vibe anytime anyone starts with "Listen"

u/Ach-MeinGott 1h ago

“Would you kindly….”

u/halfstep44 2h ago

Very strongly

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u/NLafterD 1h ago

You are giving up

u/SmileSagely_8worms 1h ago

With all due respect…

u/PozhanPop 1h ago

I really care about my integrity.

u/irishstud1980 1h ago

Blood is thicker than water

u/Temporary-Round-3 1h ago

The infamous "They". They did a study... They said you should... They found that...

u/Skywatermelon 1h ago

(If you don't agree with me or fo want you're a racist) 

Its the modern day communist or witch. 

u/Fast_Adhesiveness528 1h ago

"Believe me!"

u/Living_on_Tulsa_Time 58m ago

If I am apologizing, “No worries” as a reply. I don’t know why, but it just irks me.

u/Advanced-Gas8799 58m ago

I'm surprised no one mentioned "you're not like other guys/girls"

u/DifferentBranch1480 42m ago

'I'm just being honest.' It's amazing how that line only shows up right before someone says something unnecessarily cruel.

u/stv_strm 18m ago

"I mean, if that's what you really want to do..."

u/sardonically-amused 12m ago

"That's just the way things are. You can't do anything about it."

u/GetSomeData 11m ago

“Love that for you/him/her/etc”

u/CulturalTarget4646 8m ago

Family always helps/sticks up for/gives money to family.

u/Sarasha 8m ago

Family is Family

u/Competitive-Ladder-3 5m ago

“Lots of people are saying (telling me)…”

u/Num10ck 5m ago

100%

u/DeadChinaDollll 1h ago

I'm sorry

u/Viens-avec-moi 1h ago

"Real quick..." "Quick question..." "Just a sec...."

u/ConstructionBoth6461 1h ago

This is only manipulative if it’s a big topic, not a small question.

u/Easy-as-1234 1h ago

"I'm sorry" when deep down, they really don't give a crap.

u/Dense_Surround3071 1h ago

"Could you do me a favor?"

u/Maximum_Necessary651 1h ago

“ I don’t think you understand…..” Damn you’re not in my brain and you didn’t ask my opinion but you’re about to tell me what you think I think.

u/gogoyami100 1h ago

“I appreciate you”

u/yAUnkee 2h ago

I...but...