Communication is the lifeblood of any healthy relationship. However, sometimes a few harmless phrases can act like a slow poison. They subtly invalidate feelings and create emotional distance. Men, often without malicious intent, can fall back on conversational shortcuts. For instance, these are phrases they heard from other men. Society may have also socialized them to believe the phrases are helpful. To the women who hear them, though, these phrases can be intensely frustrating. They can shut down a conversation before it even begins. Recognizing these annoying phrases men repeat is the first step to better communication.
Here are five of those common phrases that can do more harm than good.
