the apology bypass
A manipulative, gaslighting tactic used to simulate contrition while entirely blaming the victim for having an emotional reaction.
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Entries relating to politeness.
Suggested home: Social life & etiquette / Politeness & apologies
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A manipulative, gaslighting tactic used to simulate contrition while entirely blaming the victim for having an emotional reaction.
Read full entry →A highly professional, aggressively polite phrase designed to highlight a colleague's spectacular incompetence without alerting HR.
Read full entry →A hollow, risk-laden emission of amusement designed to cover up total auditory failure.
Read full entry →A phrase delivered with a smile and impeccable manners that actually translates to 'I hope you die'.
Read full entry →The deployment of flawless manners and dazzling smiles to express deep, unutterable contempt.
Read full entry →A culinary robbery conducted under the thin veil of democratic sharing.
Read full entry →The act of performing a polite physical gesture while actively refusing to acknowledge the human benefiting from it.
Read full entry →A peculiarly British standoff where two innocent parties repeatedly ask for forgiveness until one walks away.
Read full entry →The acoustic measurement of slamming wood used to determine if an apology is currently required.
Read full entry →The inherently British reflex of saying 'sorry' to inanimate objects following a collision.
Read full entry →The agonizing state of being forced to hold a polite smile while watching an unfunny two-minute clip.
Read full entry →An awkward gait designed to show gratitude for a held door without expending actual athletic effort.
Read full entry →A tight-lipped, emotionless stretching of the mouth used to acknowledge another human politely.
Read full entry →The instinct to softly pat the steering wheel after driving over a massive crater.
Read full entry →A mutually accepted lie told at the end of an unexpected encounter to facilitate a smooth exit.
Read full entry →A polite but completely useless digital consensus that prevents actual logistics from happening.
Read full entry →The deeply ingrained British instinct to ask forgiveness from a table leg.
Read full entry →To prolong a conversation indefinitely because neither party knows the polite way to hang up.
Read full entry →The automatic application of human social norms to an animal.
Read full entry →The common corporate affliction of sending an email proudly declaring an attachment that isn't there.
Read full entry →The practice on video calls of turning on your microphone purely to prove you heard a joke.
Read full entry →To politely postpone a discussion without committing to a specific return date.
Read full entry →Caught in an over-polite standoff about who should walk through an exit first.
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