Is the phrase "I've been busy" used too loosely? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

swedeace · 09-25-2006, 06:28 PM

Maybe I am being too hard, but I am beginning to hate the phrase "I've been too busy." It just to be used "too loosely" without any real well-defined meaning behind it. It happens most during situations whenever I try and invite someone to just hang out somewhere. I understand the theory that people can be and are too busy at times, but it's beginning to feel wounding whenever I hear about their hanging out/spending time with their other friends shortly after I have invited them. Know what I mean?

I used to just say, "Wanna hangout?" without anything else to that sentence, but then I've been suggested that's too vague. Now I say, "I'm thinking about going to XYZ on so-and-so date/time. Wanna join me there?" Well, I am getting sick and tired of people saying, "I would love to, but I have been very busy." I really hate when people say, "I've been sooooo busy," but then I cringe when I hear them talking about how they met up with so-and-so and did this-and-that. It's, like, "Hey, I invited you to do something as well. What about me?" I don't know if it's just me or not, but I feel that I am not a people magnet. People tend to forget about doing stuff with me or just don't really seem as enthuiastic. I try, I try, I try....times a million....

Do you think it's used too loosely, or do you think people use it with sincerity? Why/why not? What are your opinions?

Nighthawk76 · 09-25-2006, 07:05 PM

Mmmm....yeah, I do think it is used too loosley.

I'm sorry about all this, Mona. It is too bad that we don't live near each other, you sound like you would be a lot of fun to hang out with.

dawsongirl · 09-25-2006, 11:06 PM

Oh sure...it's one of those excuses that people think everyone will buy because it's entirely possible, hard to disprove, and doesn't sound as fake as some illness excuse. Next time ask them what's been keeping them busy. If they're gonna lie, make them work at it.

TVFactFan · 09-25-2006, 11:13 PM

The phrase is a way of not trying to hurt someone's feelings. We all have used it at some point

cmcb06 · 09-26-2006, 12:36 PM

Yeah also when there's someone you like, and they tell you "oh your so sweet" in other words "oh please and why would i hang out with a dumb lil twit like you".

Nighthawk76 · 09-26-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

If they're gonna lie, make them work at it.

swedeace · 10-01-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

Oh sure...it's one of those excuses that people think everyone will buy because it's entirely possible, hard to disprove, and doesn't sound as fake as some illness excuse. Next time ask them what's been keeping them busy. If they're gonna lie, make them work at it.

That's a good idea, but it doesn't really work for people with kids or people who work or go to school. They usually resort to saying, "I've been busy with work and/or school." The people with work/school will use that about 9 or 10 times as likely for their excuse. So, there has to be a sneakier way to corner people.

swedeace · 10-01-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

The phrase is a way of not trying to hurt someone's feelings. We all have used it at some point

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I just don't understand when people say they want to make friends and then I go out of my way to befriend them, and they end up saying the "I've been busy" excuse too many times, it makes me wonder if they really are looking for friends? And, it seems a lot of people like to keep in touch online than offline. Why? It may be easier, but they still have to dedicate "sit down" time for writing. So, what's the difference? It's all just confusing.

swedeace · 10-01-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcb06

Yeah also when there's someone you like, and they tell you "oh your so sweet" in other words "oh please and why would i hang out with a dumb lil twit like you".

I've never heard "oh, you're so sweet" being used as an excuse before. I have only really heard people saying it when they mean it. It just sounds too endearing to be used loosely. I've never heard it around here. Maybe it's just a regional thing?

09-25-2006, 06:28 PM	#1
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	Is the phrase "I've been busy" used too loosely? Maybe I am being too hard, but I am beginning to hate the phrase "I've been too busy." It just to be used "too loosely" without any real well-defined meaning behind it. It happens most during situations whenever I try and invite someone to just hang out somewhere. I understand the theory that people can be and are too busy at times, but it's beginning to feel wounding whenever I hear about their hanging out/spending time with their other friends shortly after I have invited them. Know what I mean? I used to just say, "Wanna hangout?" without anything else to that sentence, but then I've been suggested that's too vague. Now I say, "I'm thinking about going to XYZ on so-and-so date/time. Wanna join me there?" Well, I am getting sick and tired of people saying, "I would love to, but I have been very busy." I really hate when people say, "I've been sooooo busy," but then I cringe when I hear them talking about how they met up with so-and-so and did this-and-that. It's, like, "Hey, I invited you to do something as well. What about me?" I don't know if it's just me or not, but I feel that I am not a people magnet. People tend to forget about doing stuff with me or just don't really seem as enthuiastic. I try, I try, I try....times a million.... Do you think it's used too loosely, or do you think people use it with sincerity? Why/why not? What are your opinions?

09-26-2006, 12:36 PM	#5
cmcb06 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 01, 2006 Posts: 370	Yeah also when there's someone you like, and they tell you "oh your so sweet" in other words "oh please and why would i hang out with a dumb lil twit like you".
	__________________ Words Of Wisdom By: Reverend Lilhave (Harv) Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

09-25-2006, 07:05 PM	#2
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	Mmmm....yeah, I do think it is used too loosley. I'm sorry about all this, Mona. It is too bad that we don't live near each other, you sound like you would be a lot of fun to hang out with.

09-25-2006, 11:06 PM	#3
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Oh sure...it's one of those excuses that people think everyone will buy because it's entirely possible, hard to disprove, and doesn't sound as fake as some illness excuse. Next time ask them what's been keeping them busy. If they're gonna lie, make them work at it.

09-25-2006, 11:13 PM	#4
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,132	The phrase is a way of not trying to hurt someone's feelings. We all have used it at some point