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“What Words/Phrases Do You Hear Someone Say And Immediately Know You’re Probably Not Going To Like The Person?” (50 Answers)
We’ve all got pet peeves. Some people will smack anyone who starts chewing with their mouth open, and others might already be on their way home if a date shows up 5 minutes late. But there are also plenty of things people can say to make their potential friendships instantly go up in flames.
Someone recently asked Reddit users to share words and phrases that alert them that they won't like a person, and readers did not hold back. Below, you’ll find a variety of statements that people can't stand, so enjoy learning what not to say upon meeting someone, and be sure to upvote the phrases that you consider to be red flags as well!
This post may include affiliate links.
#2
“I’m not racist but…”
Yes. Yes you are.
ShyWahine 1 year ago (edited)
Those words almost always precede the most ignorant/racist/ugliest comments ever ... ( it's similar to "no offense , but....." )
ValdaDeDieu 1 year ago
Or, "with all due respect" - then something disrespectful.
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Claire the Devils Advocate 1 year ago
I disagree! Why is it all of a sudden considered "racism" to have an opinion?
Joe Publique 1 year ago
'....but I had a friend, of a friend, of a friend once who was a POC, so I can't be racist'. Ok, Karen...
MrsFettesVette 1 year ago
See: this very thread. Lots of antiracists who know a person of color
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AndThenICommented 1 year ago
‘I’m not racist but you don’t act Mexican [American] - I’ve lived in xxx city. I know what they’re like.’ If I had a dollar. 🤦🏽♀️
- 1 year ago
"I don't consider you [group]" because one doesn't fit their stereotype. F#ck off, you don't get to decide.
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Jeff Gabrisl 1 year ago
I'm not racist, but don't move into a country where you aren't willing to learn the common language. I wouldn't move to France, and expect everyone to speak English, I wouldn't visit China if I couldn't speak or read the language. But where I live and work, we have multiple people that don't speak English, and won't even try to learn it. They have kids that they use for interpreting conversation.
Blackstone 1 year ago (edited)
Why do you care though, if someone uses an interpreter? Learning a new language is not something that happens overnight, and English is really hard. Heck I was born in the USA and in the process of teaching my kid to read I've realized just how complicated English is. It's really really hard. There were times I joked it'd be easier and faster for us to just ditch English and pick a different language to learn together. If you aren't able to communicate with your coworker and you need to for the job, it's your employer's responsibility to be sure everyone can communicate, not yours or your coworker's. If someone can figure out how to function in a new country without yet speaking the language, then why does it matter? Edited to add: a lot of parents move here to give their kids a better life. Some may feel that as long as their kids can learn the language and can make a life for themselves, the goal is met, even if it means they struggle.
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Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
"I'm not saying they're ALL thieves, but if you're too afraid to start a national dialogue..."
Susan Teter 1 year ago (edited)
I start off with my family is Heinz 57. We got all the most important people...Chinese. Japanese, Tai.Black, Indian, American Indian, Cuban, Dutch, Swedish, Indian, and if I forgot someone I am ABSOLUTELY sure my family will let me know. I am an animal lover but just saying...y'all can't swing a dead squirrel without hitting someone I love,!!! So if I am a racist, it's for the shear fact that there isn't a race that's in my family. So nut up. There is a big old world out there with alot of people to love. P.S. take off those bedsheets and pointy white hats. We all know who you are...albeit lawyers, cops, nursing home staff or your own siblings
meow point1 1 year ago
I once saw a video that was two women singing that "Chinese, Japanese" rhyme. The description was just "WE ARE NOT RACIST!". Um... racism is about what you do, not whether you say you're racist.
daniel (pineapple he/him) 1 year ago
im not racist but i like tacos (you cant use it against me im mexican mwahahahhaha)
freakingbee is going offline 1 year ago
reminds me of the taco quiz thingy
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Sinnsyk Jakte 1 year ago
I'm not racist, but... I f*****g love marshmallows and gummy bears in my frozen yogurt--you /try/ and stop me!
Shelley Dawson 1 year ago
I disagree with this. There is racism and the understanding that different cultures have different social values. I for one can't accept a culture where women are chattels.
crowspectre (he/they) 1 year ago
Generally just 'I'm not [discriminatory to a minority] but...' means they probably suck
jmdirks 1 year ago
Deciding not to like some body based simply on a phrase they have said IS the definition of phobic.
Terran 1 year ago
If someone says that Adolf Hitler was a great guy, I will very much dislike this person. I will judge this person and I will hate this person, simply because of what the said.
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Walter Brameld 1 year ago
I'm not racist, but I think the "hydrogen economy" is a dead end and battery-electric cars are the future.
Gardener of Weeden 1 year ago (edited)
In the usa - if you have a certain ex presidents bumper sticker on your car - you are a racist, If you support his political party - you are a racist. I do not give a flying *crud* (happy bp?) about your biracial grandkids. YOU are a racist if you support racist politicians. ( sorry, neighbors are pzzing me off - I am white)
Gardener of Weeden 1 year ago
I am not a racist - but - I adore the little girls with the "afro puffs" hair style. Some of the black natural hair styles are great!
Pedantic Panda 1 year ago
Not sure why this comment is down voted, you are correct. Most statement that start with I'm not registered but... end up expressing a racist opinion.
Load More Replies... Tim Nicebutdim 1 year ago
In fairness everyone's a bit racist, every time you make a judgement based on someone's ethnicity, racist. Everyone does it regardless of their race.
Montanavanna 1 year ago
So glad this is on here. It was literally the first thing that came to my mind!
Bill Kubeck 1 year ago
How many statements have contradictions in them? A lot. A Jewish person will always add "God forbid" to any negative comment wishing harm to another. Southern people (like my mother) would always say "bless his heart" right after saying something awful about someone. And yes, the prefix "I'm not a tells you the person is most certainly that.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
"I married a black woman, so I can't be prejudiced against Afro-Americans." Ok, I married a woman. Therefore I could never be a male chauvinist.
Leo Domitrix 1 year ago
Ah, yes, my late father. Right before he'd use a derogatory term, "I'm not a bigot, but..." Yes, Dad, you were. And then he wondered why we tuned him out.
Sonja 1 year ago
The thing is if you connect whatever annoys you with race, then yes, you're racist. People are not annoying because they're black or white or whatever, they're annoying because they behave in an annoying way. This has nothing to do with skin colour or race. We are not different species. And there is not one single behaviour on earth that's super annoying when a black person does it that becomes suddenly perfectly fine if it's done by a white person unless yes, you're racist.
#3
Describes himself as an Alpha Male. Tells you implausible stories about how tough he is/how many women he's "Banged". Yeah, me an you gonna fall out soon buddy
#4
Anyone who is rude to waitstaff.
Been on a few dates where potential partners treated the waiter/waitress like garbage.
Instant dislike and termination of the date.
#8
"We're a family here" in a work setting. Mother f****r you just laid off "cousin" Bill.
#9
“Do your own research.” Quickly became the mantra of some of the most misinformed and ignorant people on the planet.
#10
"Men are logical/analytical, and women are emotional."
That's one of the most inaccurate statements I keep hearing every time I listen to a certain type of people on certain videos/podcasts.
#12
"Ugh I hate cats"
I can't trust someone who says that. People who hate cats, really hate cats. To the point of abuse.
#13
“No offense, but…”, just before saying the most offensive thing you’ve heard in your life.
#19
“I’m so bipolar” to explain why they are indecisive or to play off poor life choices. Or just to say to sound quirky. Really hate that. I’m bipolar and rarely tell anyone.
#20
Women who say “I only have guy friends” which is usually followed by something like “women always bring drama / women are usually bitches / women can’t handle how real I am / women are always jealous of me.”
ETA: Yeah, it’s great having guy friends, but the problem is women who view other women as the enemy.
#21
"Why isn't there a white history month" I'm not even huge into politics, but this says a lot about someone to me
#22
If a person humiliates others for the sake of boosting his own ego, I immediately stop communicating with that person.
#23
"Sheeple" As soon as I hear it I tune out everything else they have to say
#31
“I just say what everyone else is thinking”. Describing someone as an “alpha” “sigma” “beta”, or calling women “females”
#33
"Yes but you know there's worst" everytime you have an issue. Denying the pain of someone isn't helping them at all. Yes other have it worst, but at day D, hour H, I want to talk about my feeling and feel heard and seen. I want solutions or I want help or I want someone to b***h about the subject / person which / who is sensitive topic for me. Not thinking about others. That's not being selfish, that's destressing, and if you can't find a solution at least outing bad vibes.
#34
"My ex was a narcissist". I didn't hear this nearly as often until the last year or so. Now suddenly everyone has had an ex that was a narcissist. I work in the behavioral health field and this one drives me crazy.
Like no, just because you both wanted different things in life doesn't make him selfish enough to be labeled with an actual *personality disorder,* ***oh my god.*** Just say you weren't compatible and move on with your life.
No offense to those who actually did genuinely date a narcissist.
#37
"oh im compelled to do this totally normal activity because my OCD/adhd/bipolar is kicking in!"
#38
people who will insert, “well if trump was still in office…” in every single conversation despite having nothing to do with politics
#39
Got my shirt for x amount, my shoes for y amount type of people. You paid way more than normal people for stuff that's not something to brag about. Also do you really have no innate worth that you have to toss around price tags to attract people's attention.
#40
People who lie/brag about their IQ. In my experience they seem like the dumbest people.
#42
I had this new coworker who I didn’t have to work with, but could have made both of our jobs easier. He didn’t even need to say anything. At the first morning meeting he had a Daily Wire coffee mug that said, “this cup is filled with liberal tears.”
Yeah, no thanks dude. I don’t need your help with anything.
#46
"I hate drama." I have never heard someone say this, unsolicited, and not been exhausted with their shenanigans within a day.
#47
"As an ENFP/ISTJ/JKDSAJKHSDF/other alphabet soup personality test baloney..."
#49
"snowflakes", "woke", or "unbeknownst".
Especially unbeknownst, I hate that word more than is reasonable to acknowledge.
#50
"Tough love" often seems to be used as an excuse to be a d**k. I get it when it's like an intervention, but most times I've personally heard it this was just people who wanted to start s**t.
What do you think ?
Bowtechie 1 year ago (edited)
Some of these are legit, but for the most part my opinion is that y'all just don't like people.
Boris Long-Johnson 1 year ago (edited)
Using the size of someone penis as an insult - especially common with women who really don’t like being asked if they’re being such a b-tch cause they’ve a c**t the size of a bucket? (How the tables have turned). Simple rule - don’t attack someone on something they can’t change!
Noname 1 year ago (edited)
I think that if you're a male and insult a woman first by calling her a b***h or c**t, you deserve to have your penis ridiculed.
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censorshipsucks 1 year ago
A red flag they forgot is someone who writes in weebspeak, like "*blushes* *gets hot and bothered* *shuffles feet:*" my god it is cringeworthy.
DBear 1 year ago
Anyone who starts bragging about their self-defense skills. No, your hands are NOT registered as lethal weapons. Also anyone who brags about having street smarts. That instantly tells me you don't because if you did there would be no need to brag about it.
Gardener of Weeden 1 year ago
#1 rule - do what you need to , to get the flack away. (according to my teacher.)
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Dizzie D 1 year ago
'I'm not a dog person, keep it away from me' Had this in a park the other day. A park, full of dogs. Hmmm okay.
Boreddd🇺🇦 1 year ago
Dogs are adorable, but I'm a little scared of them, which is why I sometimes say this. Though, after going with one of my friends on some dog walks, I'm getting more comfortable:)
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JP Doyle 1 year ago
"Can't you just stop being anxious/depressed/panicked?" or "There's no reason for you to be depressed." Like anyone who suffers from anxiety and depression LIKES being that way. The only thing I've ever heard that's more ridiculous was a co-worker talking to a friend who said "Why don't they try not acting like they were black?"
Dak Janiels 1 year ago
I'd like to add "Do you want me to be honest...?" NO, no thank you. If you aren't already speaking honestly, I'm going to assume the next thing you say won't go well.
That Goth Demon (zey/zem) 1 year ago (edited)
But ikr is really useful, especially in text
Load More Replies... Lana Lana Banana 1 year ago
Widely unpopular opinion here: "Doggo" and the like. I cannot STAAAAAAND doggo, hooman, and all the rest of that. It drives me absolutely batshit insane.
Sky Render 1 year ago (edited)
Pretty much anything relating to "gender critical" is a quick ignore for me. It's like watching a toddler throw a temper tantrum because mommy didn't let them smoke a cigarette: prevention of harm through ignorance being met with hate and rage. I'm intersex, not whatever binary was forcibly written on my birth certificate, and my gender is not defined by that slip of paper either for that matter.
Lolly Gagger 1 year ago
People who use the phrases crotch goblins/spawn/brat/“Ugh, I just don’t like children”. You are allowed to not be drawn to spending lots of time with kids. You are allowed to not be a parent (in fact please don’t if you don’t want to), you are allowed to not enjoy being in close proximity to children making a lot of high pitched noise. What I don’t understand it why it had become socially acceptable to name call and ostracise a vulnerable minority group of humans. We don’t accept a nasty names for people if different skin colours and cultural backgrounds, we don’t accept down putting and isolation of people with disabilities, we don’t accept people saying “Ugh, I just don’t like old people”, so why should treating kids the same way be acceptable?
Missylyn Crowell 1 year ago
“You know what your problem is…”, I wasn’t aware I had a problem other than you. SMH
Barbara Baldwin 1 year ago
Keto. Gluten free. Paleo. I uninstalled Pinterest because it's ground zero for those words
Rosie 1 year ago
Why are we so judgy? Sure, some idiots open their mouths & prove how moronic they are. I for one am grateful. Good to know! Others simply say things that are not my style. They may be good people otherwise. The world would suck if we all thought/spoke the same way. I just don't understand the hate, especially over a word/phrase. I don't hate even the worst of these, just avoid them.
Noname 1 year ago
Yes! And normally I'd make an exception about cats, but I just saw the "Kitchen Nightmares" episode about Amy's Baking Company and she says "we have 3 sons who inhabit cat bodies" and "I speak feline- meow meow meow meow." That level is a red flag for me.
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Demolition Lover (He/him) 1 year ago
"The intrusive thoughts won!" while referring to, idk, spontaneously dying their hair. Those are impulsive thoughts. Impulsive thoughts are throwing something, dying your hair, binge shopping. Intrusive thoughts are horrific, sickening images and ideas that stay in your head constantly because of mental illness. I have diagnosed OCD. Intrusive thoughts are about hurting others. Hurting yourself. And not just punching someone, like horrible sh*t you'd see in American psycho or happy tree friends. Anything taboo or morally wrong can be constantly on repeat in your mind, like r*pe, p*dophillia, ect. And you can't stop it. Because they are INTRUSIVE. You feel like the most horrible, evil, disgusting person ever. When mine were bad, I was having daily panic attacks, and su*cidal thoughts at age 10/11. And you can't just tell people whats going on, because 1. no one knows what intrusive thoughts or OCD actually is, and 2. You can't describe them without triggering or upsetting people.
Joseph Teopaco 1 year ago
Should pronouns people and you misgendered me people be in the list?
cameron crosby 1 year ago
Wow, I posted a comment that basically said I don't like these one-sided politically-based bored pandas and my comment got immediate blocked by I suppose a one-sided political censor. Nice work Bored Panda! Great job on keeping an open mind and a place for open discussion! Guess I need to not resist and be assimilated by the snow flakes...oh sorry, snowflakes don't like people that call them snowflakes.
Joroches 1 year ago
Honey, there's only one person acting like a snowflake here and it's you. I know it's hard but accepting that other people have a different opinion than you is something that comes with being a grownup.
Load More Replies...
Andrea Steinacher 1 year ago
"could of.." -"would of" ------ maaan, that is "could´ve" what is literally "could HAVE" ----- I don´t like people being that lazy with their own language
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
"It is what it is" I freaking hate when people say that. It "is what it is" because you are too lazy/scared/disinterested in actually doing something to change the situation for the better.
cameron crosby 1 year ago
Yuck..these political Bored Pandas are annoying. So much virtual signalling...so much my side's good...the other side's bad...blah, blah, blah, blah. Most of us are here to take a break from the political warfare and don't really want to hear from yet another close minded, bigoted author who is talking to the rest of those inhabiting their political bubble.
Bowtechie 1 year ago (edited)
Some of these are legit, but for the most part my opinion is that y'all just don't like people.
Boris Long-Johnson 1 year ago (edited)
Using the size of someone penis as an insult - especially common with women who really don’t like being asked if they’re being such a b-tch cause they’ve a c**t the size of a bucket? (How the tables have turned). Simple rule - don’t attack someone on something they can’t change!
Noname 1 year ago (edited)
I think that if you're a male and insult a woman first by calling her a b***h or c**t, you deserve to have your penis ridiculed.
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 1 year ago
A red flag they forgot is someone who writes in weebspeak, like "*blushes* *gets hot and bothered* *shuffles feet:*" my god it is cringeworthy.
DBear 1 year ago
Anyone who starts bragging about their self-defense skills. No, your hands are NOT registered as lethal weapons. Also anyone who brags about having street smarts. That instantly tells me you don't because if you did there would be no need to brag about it.
Gardener of Weeden 1 year ago
#1 rule - do what you need to , to get the flack away. (according to my teacher.)
Load More Replies... Dizzie D 1 year ago
'I'm not a dog person, keep it away from me' Had this in a park the other day. A park, full of dogs. Hmmm okay.
Boreddd🇺🇦 1 year ago
Dogs are adorable, but I'm a little scared of them, which is why I sometimes say this. Though, after going with one of my friends on some dog walks, I'm getting more comfortable:)
Load More Replies... JP Doyle 1 year ago
"Can't you just stop being anxious/depressed/panicked?" or "There's no reason for you to be depressed." Like anyone who suffers from anxiety and depression LIKES being that way. The only thing I've ever heard that's more ridiculous was a co-worker talking to a friend who said "Why don't they try not acting like they were black?"
Dak Janiels 1 year ago
I'd like to add "Do you want me to be honest...?" NO, no thank you. If you aren't already speaking honestly, I'm going to assume the next thing you say won't go well.
That Goth Demon (zey/zem) 1 year ago (edited)
But ikr is really useful, especially in text
Load More Replies... Lana Lana Banana 1 year ago
Widely unpopular opinion here: "Doggo" and the like. I cannot STAAAAAAND doggo, hooman, and all the rest of that. It drives me absolutely batshit insane.
Sky Render 1 year ago (edited)
Pretty much anything relating to "gender critical" is a quick ignore for me. It's like watching a toddler throw a temper tantrum because mommy didn't let them smoke a cigarette: prevention of harm through ignorance being met with hate and rage. I'm intersex, not whatever binary was forcibly written on my birth certificate, and my gender is not defined by that slip of paper either for that matter.
Lolly Gagger 1 year ago
People who use the phrases crotch goblins/spawn/brat/“Ugh, I just don’t like children”. You are allowed to not be drawn to spending lots of time with kids. You are allowed to not be a parent (in fact please don’t if you don’t want to), you are allowed to not enjoy being in close proximity to children making a lot of high pitched noise. What I don’t understand it why it had become socially acceptable to name call and ostracise a vulnerable minority group of humans. We don’t accept a nasty names for people if different skin colours and cultural backgrounds, we don’t accept down putting and isolation of people with disabilities, we don’t accept people saying “Ugh, I just don’t like old people”, so why should treating kids the same way be acceptable?
Missylyn Crowell 1 year ago
“You know what your problem is…”, I wasn’t aware I had a problem other than you. SMH
Barbara Baldwin 1 year ago
Keto. Gluten free. Paleo. I uninstalled Pinterest because it's ground zero for those words
Rosie 1 year ago
Why are we so judgy? Sure, some idiots open their mouths & prove how moronic they are. I for one am grateful. Good to know! Others simply say things that are not my style. They may be good people otherwise. The world would suck if we all thought/spoke the same way. I just don't understand the hate, especially over a word/phrase. I don't hate even the worst of these, just avoid them.
Noname 1 year ago
Yes! And normally I'd make an exception about cats, but I just saw the "Kitchen Nightmares" episode about Amy's Baking Company and she says "we have 3 sons who inhabit cat bodies" and "I speak feline- meow meow meow meow." That level is a red flag for me.
Load More Replies... Demolition Lover (He/him) 1 year ago
"The intrusive thoughts won!" while referring to, idk, spontaneously dying their hair. Those are impulsive thoughts. Impulsive thoughts are throwing something, dying your hair, binge shopping. Intrusive thoughts are horrific, sickening images and ideas that stay in your head constantly because of mental illness. I have diagnosed OCD. Intrusive thoughts are about hurting others. Hurting yourself. And not just punching someone, like horrible sh*t you'd see in American psycho or happy tree friends. Anything taboo or morally wrong can be constantly on repeat in your mind, like r*pe, p*dophillia, ect. And you can't stop it. Because they are INTRUSIVE. You feel like the most horrible, evil, disgusting person ever. When mine were bad, I was having daily panic attacks, and su*cidal thoughts at age 10/11. And you can't just tell people whats going on, because 1. no one knows what intrusive thoughts or OCD actually is, and 2. You can't describe them without triggering or upsetting people.
Joseph Teopaco 1 year ago
Should pronouns people and you misgendered me people be in the list?
cameron crosby 1 year ago
Wow, I posted a comment that basically said I don't like these one-sided politically-based bored pandas and my comment got immediate blocked by I suppose a one-sided political censor. Nice work Bored Panda! Great job on keeping an open mind and a place for open discussion! Guess I need to not resist and be assimilated by the snow flakes...oh sorry, snowflakes don't like people that call them snowflakes.
Joroches 1 year ago
Honey, there's only one person acting like a snowflake here and it's you. I know it's hard but accepting that other people have a different opinion than you is something that comes with being a grownup.
Load More Replies... Andrea Steinacher 1 year ago
"could of.." -"would of" ------ maaan, that is "could´ve" what is literally "could HAVE" ----- I don´t like people being that lazy with their own language
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
"It is what it is" I freaking hate when people say that. It "is what it is" because you are too lazy/scared/disinterested in actually doing something to change the situation for the better.
cameron crosby 1 year ago
Yuck..these political Bored Pandas are annoying. So much virtual signalling...so much my side's good...the other side's bad...blah, blah, blah, blah. Most of us are here to take a break from the political warfare and don't really want to hear from yet another close minded, bigoted author who is talking to the rest of those inhabiting their political bubble.
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