I’m not sure when it happened and why people don’t get called out on this more often, but increasingly, people aren’t finishing their sentences. Instead, they trail off with “so…” or “but, yea…” And this ENRAGES me.
Here’s an example:
Me: Oh, you snowboard? Me too! How often do you go?
Person X: Well, I’m from Colorado, so…
Me: …
Person X: (Stares back at me)
Me: ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶
So what? You’re from Colorado so you’re retarded? Am I supposed to INFER what you could have said? Sure, given the context, I’d assume that you go snowboarding a lot because Aspen has a killer ski resort, but I could also assume that you’re a very active member in a satanic cult because Colorado-native Kelly Schwiderski killed three babies in a “fetus factory” in the 1990s. When has it become acceptable to make such a nothing statement? Finish your sentences, dammit.
The trailing “but, yea…” is similar, but not entirely the same.
Me: Yeah, I recorded a rap song in my hip-hop music appreciation class last semester.
Person Y: Ah, that’s sweet, I’ve always wanted to do that. I actually mess around with Pro Tools sometimes.
Me: Really? Do you make your own beats too?
Person Y: Yeah, I’ve been making beats for a couple of years.
Me: Whoa, impressive. Are they online or something?
Person Y: Nah, they’re just on my hard drive.
Me: Oh, okay.
Person Y: Yep, I really enjoy it. But, yea…
Why was the “but, yea…” necessary? To me, when you say “but,” it’s like a negative, as if you’re about to make a contrarian remark. We could have ended our conversation neatly, but instead it feels like there’s something that we left unresolved. Like, finishing a paper but then introducing an entirely new and irrelevant point at the end. Or cracking all of your knuckles except for one. Cutting all your nails, but leaving the pinky nail long. Painting your room a certain color, but missing a spot intentionally. Reading a book, but skipping over the last chapter. Applying deodorant to only one armpit. Missing a hole while lacing up your shoes. Shaving one leg, but not the other.
You can’t do that. Finish your sentences.
