* 7 Negative Attitude in a Conversation (p.4 of 4)
7.15�� When you demonstrate indifference in a sarcastic manner
What makes you think I care?�� Listen�� <�The stock market lost a hundred points today.� � �What makes you think I care? I don�t play with stocks.�>
Do you really think I care?�� Listen�� <�I�ve had enough. I�m leaving.� � �Do you really think I care?�>
Frankly, my dear, I don�t give a damn.�� Listen�� <�Don�t tell her that. She might get angry with you.� � �Frankly, my dear, I don�t give a damn. Her opinion about me is the least of my concerns.�>
Good for you!�� Listen�� <�I got punished for what I hadn�t done!� � �Good for you! Now you know that there�re punishments of all sorts.�>
I�m happy for you.�� Listen�� <�It�s unfair!� � �I�m happy for you. Now you know that the world is unfair.�>
7.16�� When you express sympathy in a sarcastic manner
Oh, you poor thing.�� Listen�� <�I took the last piece of cake. Did you want it? Oh, you poor thing!�>
Oh, poor baby.�� Listen�� <�Oh, poor baby. You�ve been driving all night. Well, go to bed now and have a good sleep.�>
7.17�� When a point or action is unimportant
It�s not important.�� Listen�� <�What are we going to do about your birthday?� � �I don�t care. It�s not important.�>
It doesn�t matter.�� Listen�� A �It is so unimportant that nobody cares.��� <�What do you want me to give you as a birthday present?� � �It doesn�t matter. We have other concerns.�>
It isn�t worth it.�� Listen�� A �It is so unimportant that it does not deserve the concern involved.��� <�I tried to find facts to support this theory.� � �Don�t bother. It isn�t worth it. This theory is just erroneous.�>
It isn�t worthwhile.�� Listen�� A �It does not deserve the time it requires.��� <�Do you think I need to impress this customer by taking him out to a fancy restaurant?� � �No, I don�t. It isn�t worthwhile. You�re a young salesman. Even if you lose this customer, there will always be another one.�>
It isn�t worth my while.�� Listen�� <�I decided to cancel my business trip. It isn�t worth my while.�>
It isn�t worth mentioning.�� Listen�� A �It is so unimportant that it does not deserve attention.��� <�Yes, I had an accident. It�s no big deal, though. It isn�t worth mentioning.�>
It�s not worth the trouble.�� Listen�� A �It is so unimportant that it does not deserve the effort involved.��� <�Do you want me to clean this rug?� � �Don�t bother about it. It isn�t worth the trouble. I�m going to throw it away.�>
It�s no big deal.�� Listen�� A �It�s not really an important thing.��� <�You�ve got a bruise? It�s no big deal. I�ve got a scar.�>
You�re just wasting my time.�� Listen�� A �It�s a loss of time. I�ve got more important things to do.��� <�Listen, I�m not interested in your story. You are just wasting my time.�>
Don�t waste my time.�� Listen�� A �Don�t take up my valuable time with whatever you want to do or tell me.��� <�I would like to demonstrate our new product line to you.� � �Don�t waste my time. I�m not interested.�>
Don�t waste your time.�� Listen�� A �Even if you spend your time on me, you won�t get a positive response.��� <�I still want to convince you to reconsider your decision.� � �Don�t waste your time. My decision is final.�>
What does that prove?�� Listen�� A �What important conclusion can be drawn out of that? That does not mean much.��� <�Professor, there are few examples that contradict the theory.� � �What does that prove? Those examples are exceptions that confirm the rule.�>
What about it?�� Listen�� A �Why does it matter?��� <�I heard you had had an accident.� � �Yes? What about it?�>
7.18�� When you demean a speaker�s point by humiliating a speaker
Who are you?�� Listen�� A �Are you so important that what you say has value?��� <�All you�re saying is simply wrong.� � �Who are you? Who are you to talk to me like that?�>
Says who?�� Listen�� A �Why do you think you are so important that I need to agree with you?��� <�Your music is garbage. Nobody is going to listen to it.� � �Says who? I�ll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself.�>
Says you!�� Listen�� A �It�s just you who says that, and nobody else, so that�s not really important.��� <�This book is just pulp fiction.� � �Says you! My sister has a different opinion.�>
7.19�� When what you do has higher priority
I'm busy.�� Listen�� A �Don�t disturb me. I can�t take care of your problems now.��� <�I can�t deal with your petty complaints now. I�m busy!�>
I've got work to do.�� Listen�� <�Can we talk about it some other time? I�ve got work to do.�>
I�ve got better things to do.�� Listen�� A �There are more important things that I have to spend my time on.��� (used with have got or have)�� <�You didn�t attend the meeting yesterday.� � �They often waste time on petty issues. I�ve got better things to do.�>
I have bigger fish to fry.�� Listen�� A �I�ve got more important things to do.��� <�I don�t have time to attend to your needs now. I have bigger fish to fry.�>
7.20�� When you reject something
No, thank you.�� Listen�� A �No, I don�t need it.��� <�Would you like something to drink?� � �No, thank you. I�m fine.�>
Not right now.�� Listen�� A �No, I don�t need it now, but I expect you will ask me again later.��� <�Would you care for another piece of pie?� � �Not right now, thank you.�>
Perhaps a little later.�� Listen�� A �No, I don�t need it now, but there is a chance I might need it later.��� <�Would you like a cup of tea now?� � �Perhaps a little later, thank you.�>
Thanks, but no thanks.�� Listen�� A �I appreciate your offer, but I don�t need it.��� <�Do you think you might need my old bicycle?� � �Thanks, but no thanks. I�d rather have a new one.�>
7.21�� When you express displeasure with a thing
That�s not what I had in mind.�� Listen�� <�Thank you for your demonstration. That�s not what I had in mind.�>
That doesn�t fit the bill.�� Listen�� A �That does not comply with my requirements.��� <�Do you have butter?� � �No, I don�t. Here is some cooking oil, though.� � �That doesn�t fit the bill. I need dairy butter for sandwiches.�>
That doesn�t fill the bill.�� Listen�� <�Do you like this blue blouse?� � �M-m� That doesn�t fill the bill. I need a blouse to match my red skirt.�>
That doesn�t quite suit me.�� Listen�� <�I need a rope� � �Here is a string.� � �That doesn�t quite suit me. I need a thick, strong rope.�>
That�s not what it�s cracked up to be.�� Listen�� A �That is not what it is believed to be.��� <I have a company car. But that�s not what it�s cracked up to be. I need a robust four-wheel drive suitable for the country road.�>
I�ve seen better.�� Listen�� A �There are better things than this one which makes this one unacceptable.��� <�What do you think about this dress?� � �I�ve seen better. Don�t buy this one.�>
I don�t like it.�� Listen�� <�Do you want this toy?� � �No. I don�t like it.�>
I don�t care for it.�� Listen�� <�Would you care for a piece of cake?� � �No, I don�t care for it.�>
I can�t stand it.�� Listen�� A �I don�t tolerate it.��� <�Why are you putting on this old dress? I can�t stand it.�>
I hate it.�� Listen�� <�They want me to play for a losing team. I hate it. This game is lost already.>
I need it like a hole in the head.�� Listen�� A �I don�t need it at all.��� <�Do I need a dog? I need it like a hole in the head. The last dog I had ate a hole in my favorite hat.�>
It�s second-rate.�� Listen�� A �This thing is of inferior quality.��� <�Do you read this magazine?� � �No. It�s second-rate.�>
It�s not my style.�� Listen�� A �It�s not the style I like.��� <�Do you like this wig?� � �No. It�s not my style.�>
It�s not for me.�� Listen�� <�Do you like this gaudy style?� � �No, it�s not for me. I prefer convenience and simplicity.�>
It�s ugly.�� Listen�� <�Mom, I can�t wear the bathing suit you bought for me. It�s ugly.�>
It�s awful.�� Listen�� <�Are you going to wear this dress?� � �No. It�s awful.�>
It�s terrible.�� Listen�� <�Mother, I�m calling you from my car. I got stuck in traffic on a major freeway.� � �It�s terrible. We all are waiting for you for dinner.�>
It�s hideous.�� Listen�� <�What do you think of this new video clip?� � �It�s hideous. The music is chaotic and the lyrics don�t make sense.�>
It�s dreadful.�� Listen�� <�A major storm is approaching the California coast.� � �It�s dreadful. We can�t go to the beach anymore.�>
To hell with that!�� Listen�� A �I reject it completely.��� <�The company needs me to work longer hours for the same lousy pay. To hell with that! I won�t do that.�>
Good-bye and good riddance.�� Listen�� A �I am pleased this thing is gone.��� <�I�m so glad you finally threw away your old bicycle. Good-bye and good riddance.�>
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