Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaoticInsanity
I think that it really depends on context. Is "suggest" a better word then?
|
Much.
Or, "This information might be helpful"
Or, "I wish you would" (the intent is transparent!)
Or, "In that situation I would have done"
Or, almost anything else!
Though the example above, when the person speaking is unsure about the future but is giving their best prediction, that I'm cool with.
It's when someone tries to tell you what to do - "You should do this" - that drives me nuts. I feel scolded and shamed by the person who said it to me. It's disrespectful and dismissive. There's no debate - I am wrong, they are right, and now I have no choice but to change my life and bend myself to their will. That's not good at all.
I'm not sure that's what the intent always is, when someone says that word - the evil "S" word.

But that's what the effect is.
It's ordering someone around, plain and simple, and I don't see the point in sugar coating it. It's impolite and triggering. So I try not to say it. I'd rather come up with an awkward and long-winded statement than make whoever I'm speaking to feel diminished, purposefully or inadvertently.