The Worst Thing You Can Say: "Excuse You"

[TheGeneralPublicSucks]

Excuse You?!


So I'm just minding my own business, sweeping the floor at the restaurant when, out of nowhere, comes this 20 something girl who has plenty of room to get by me anyway, but decides to say "excuse you" while walking past me. She said it in a nice way though. As nice of a way as you can say something as asinine as that. It didn't matter.

"Excuse you" is probably one of the worst things you can say to someone. Even in conversation, when someone says "excuse you", your reaction is "oh shit, what did I say"? However, when trying to get past someone and opening with that line, you are an instant bitch. Nothing says asshole to me more than you walking around everywhere thinking you own the place and that everyone should get out of your way. I understand if someone is being an ass and purposely not moving out of the way or something, but what is with people who just drop that line like it's okay?! It's not.

So "excuse you" for being a fucking bitch.

[ShadowTiger]

I'm surprised I've yet to hear that from anyone, as far as I can recall. Had that happened to me, I likely would have said, "After you," and smile/waved a bit and just walked on.

[MoonCat]

I've had people say that to me a couple of times. Both times it was when they did something stupid and rude, and apparently I didn't react as if they were King of the Universe.

[bainsidhe]

I've never said it to a customer, but I've responded to that comment from family with "you're excused". They don't like that response.

[Chazzie]

She probably didn't mean any harm by it and thought it was a cute thing to say. Doesn't mean every stranger will think so though.

[TheGeneralPublicSucks]

I don't know... that is never really a cute thing to say when you think about it. 'Excuse you' basically means, "you are in my way/comfort zone, so get the hell out of it". I tried to think of how it could be nice, and I just cant grasp it...

[Jester]

I say it a lot at work, but generally it's to some of my coworkers who I fuck around with a lot, especially my head chef. We are constantly pushing and shoving each other when we are in the same area.

But other than as a joke, yeah, that's pretty rude.

[Kristev]

I will say it, but only after someone has said "Excuse me" then proceeded to storm right into my mop water, the dirt I'm sweeping, or some other means of shoving me out of their way. Then I will say "Excuse you", but only as a counter-statement.

[TheGeneralPublicSucks]

Yes, it is warranted when someone is being a complete asshole.

[MoonCat]

Funny...this question came up in Miss Manners today. She states that it is always rude. I tend to agree. It's a way of saying "hey, you should have said excuse me, but you didn't, so I'm saying it for you."

[aurelemsrealm]

I've never said it to a customer, but I've responded to that comment from family with "you're excused". They don't like that response.

I've been known to point to a nearby door and say, "You're excused, there's the door." Sometimes the tone is meant as a joke, sometimes it's not. Just depends on the situation.

[TheGeneralPublicSucks]

MoonCat- you hit it right on the nose!

[Eireann]

Oh, I got a truly astounding one in that vein some time ago.

It was in college. College, mind you. Not a grade school, where your peers have the emotional maturity of, well, grade-schoolers.

I was walking towards a building. Three guys are standing outside. I walk past them.

One of them makes a fart noise, and all three chorus, "Excuse you!"

Yeah. College.

[lobo65]

When somebody says "excuse you" to me, I reply "There is no excuse for you."

[blas]

I don't think it's appropriate to say "excuse you" because someone is in your way, unless you have already said "excuse me" or "can I get through?" or whatever to the like of that tone, and they refuse to move.