Really, what does this mean? Usually it's not true. You could do less. Like this morning when I made Austin breakfast and he said. "Thanks mom", and I thought, "It's the least I could do", but really the least I could've done, and what I really wanted to do, was to stay in bed and sleep and let him come in and kiss me goodbye. Instead I got out of bed, came downstairs, made him breakfast, had a prayer with him, asked to make sure he had lunch prepared, and kissed him goodbye. Definitely not the least I could've done.
When someone says that, do they mean, "Well, good grief, I had to do something! I had no choice! So I ran through all the options and chose the least demanding and intrusive thing I could do to meet this obligation to do something, and this was it." Cause if that's what they mean then it's no wonder they don't simply say, "You're welcome." because obviously, that's not what they mean.
If they mean, "Oh, I wish I could do more. This was simple and I'm just glad I could make you happy with such a small thing; really, it is probably the least of all the things I could've done." Then really what they mean is "You're welcome".
Makes you wonder about people's motivations, huh?
Writing
3 years ago
7 comments:
You are funny Kristen. It is very true.
I also think, when people start a sentence with "I really shouldn't say this" then, they should shut up. Especially if they are teaching Sunday School or giving a talk from the pulpit.
I always get confused on, "I couldn't care less" or is it "I could care less"?
Well, it's the least i can do...I think this should be followed by "because I love you so much."
You are right. Another one is "in lieu of" when what they really mean is, "in view of."
Actually one that my mother sometimes used to say when asked by someone if she do something was, " I'd be crazy to." crazy happy, or crazy insane?
I always think that it's the second motivation. At least it is when I say it (which isn't very often). But "You're Welcome" is always the best thing to say.
Just like, when someone gives a complement, the best reply is "thank you". Rather than discounting the compliment or anythying else.
And, I really shouldn't say this, but: In lieu of this post, I'd be crazy to eliminate "It's the least I could do" from my vocabulary, even though you probably could care less. ;)
Ha ha Sally. And actually, I couldn't care less.
I LOVE the new look of your blog! how did you do this?
Your Tangerine tulips turned Pink! Pretty! :) Loveyou.
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