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because
Why would qualifying your feeling as a "sort-of" feeling make you more immune to embarrassment?
When we have friendly dialogues with others, we tend to try to find common ground in the form of shared opinions. One person will test the waters by saying, "I often eat Big Macs for lunch." The other will respond, "Oh, not me--I think they are terribly unhealthy. Besides, I am a vegetarian. I would never touch one!" The first person counters with, "Well, I don't eat them every day. I agree, they're rather unhealthy. But they are sort of good as a special treat. It's important to 'live it up' once in a while." The other says, "Yes, I can understand eating them as a special treat. I like to be spontaneous and have fun, too."
It is difficult to find such common ground when both people begin the discussion making strong statements. Using "kind of" and "sort of" allows them to feel out each other's positions before trying to reach equilibrium.
posted by
stonedead
on
July 28, 2008
at
7:29 PM
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reply
Always happy to learn from you
posted by
shypettite
on
January 18, 2007
at
6:07 PM
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I am glad you addresses this! I do see it written sometimes
but I wonder why people use these expressions even in speaking. Thanks!
faholo
posted by
faholo
on
January 5, 2007
at
10:03 PM
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OK I will!
posted by
Whacky
on
January 5, 2007
at
4:32 PM
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