The Automotive Thread

[MA_PE]

I'm from New England....Why is "Bless your heart" an insult?

 

[SNAPE/SMOTT PE]

I'm from New England....Why is "Bless your heart" an insult?

"[COLOR= rgb(44, 53, 60)]This is a term used by the people of the southern United States particularly near the Gulf of Mexico to express to someone [/COLOR][COLOR= rgb(44, 53, 60)]that[/COLOR][COLOR= rgb(44, 53, 60)] they are an idiot without saying such harsh words."[/COLOR]

 

[snickerd3]

"[COLOR= rgb(44, 53, 60)]This is a term used by the people of the southern United States particularly near the Gulf of Mexico to express to someone [/COLOR][COLOR= rgb(44, 53, 60)]that[/COLOR][COLOR= rgb(44, 53, 60)] they are an idiot without saying such harsh words."[/COLOR]

even in IL this is what I grew up with that phrase meaning...except it was "Why blessed your little heart"

 

[MA_PE]

Learn something new everyday. 

Seems to follow the old adage "if you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all". 

So I guess it's another distortion of a compliment into a phrase that offends people.  It truly is a full-time job trying to keep up with the PC police so as not to offend anyone.

 

[FLBuff PE]

I'm sure RG knows that, but I believe he meant it sincerely.

I am in the same boat as you, SNAPE/SMOTT. My current ride is a 2001 Chevy (S-10) Blazer, with ~125k on it. I am also getting dinged with all the "minor" repairs, which are adding up, and I'm sick of it. I drive a company Tacoma during the week, so I am thinking about going the lease route. Payments will be lower, and I won't put more than 10k miles per year on the leased vehicle. Then I'll re-evaluate in three years when it is time to turn in the lease vehicle.

 

[MA_PE]

I believe if RG wanted to convey that he thinks someone is an idiot...he'd say "You're an idiot, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.""

 

[Road Guy]

in the "real" south, we use the term "Bless your Heart" when directed to a fellow southerner as a sincere statement, but when said to a yankee it is meant as an insult.

So my intent was the sincere variety !!  Even though Texas doesn't qualify as "the south" I was extending the courtesy to you...

 

[FLBuff PE]

in the "real" south, we use the term "Bless your Heart" when directed to a fellow southerner as a sincere statement, but when said to a yankee it is meant as an insult.

So my intent was the sincere variety !!  Even though Texas doesn't qualify as "the south" I was extending the courtesy to you...

opcorn:  Them's fightin' words!

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

But you're in CO now...

 

[Road Guy]

don't tread on me

 

[MA_PE]

don't tread on me

Which is the state motto of New Hampshire......

 

[Road Guy]

but the one we use is yellow and not pink

 

[FLBuff PE]

So I think what we can conclude is that RG is geographically challenged.

 

[Road Guy]

I should not have spent that week in Florida either   I don't know where I want to live.. But in all places a Jeep is the best vehicle for me

 

[MetsFan]

I always though Bless your heart was an insult too.  Maybe I've had southerners say that to me sarcastically, lol.  I asked my wife who's from TX and she said she wouldn't take it that way at all.  

 

[Road Guy]

keep the south beautiful put a Yankee on a bus

 

[SNAPE/SMOTT PE]

Well, thanks!

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

It's all about the context. 

"That sounds like a great idea!" in my office is an insult.

 

[SNAPE/SMOTT PE]

I always though Bless your heart was an insult too.  Maybe I've had southerners say that to me sarcastically, lol.  I asked my wife who's from TX and she said she wouldn't take it that way at all.  

Oh. Hmm, maybe it's because I'm not from Texas. I'll have to ask my Texas born friends and co-workers.

 

[matt267 PE]

I'm not much of a Yankee's fan either. I'm from Red Sox's nation.