Why don't you just fuck off?

[aroraborealis]

As a rule, any time you are about to start a statement, "Why don't you just ...", you should keep your mouth shut and think more carefully about the topic from the perspective of the person you're talking to. You are almost certainly about to oversimplify in a dismissive and insulting way.

If you are the subject of a "Why don't you just ...", I hereby deputize you to sign the speaker up for a lifetime supply of personal visits from Scientology evangelists.

Comments

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

I usually try to find a different way to ask that kind of question, though I find that kind of question very interesting and informative to ask. Like, I'll ask someone to walk me through their reasoning process, and then I can just ask questions at appropriate points. I learn more about HOW they're thinking, I learn the various stuff they already know, and I'm in less danger of oversimplifying the problem.