# I have \*never\* said to someone "Fuck off!" - have you? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 25, 2002, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775 "2002-10-25T00:52:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/1 "2002-10-25T00:52:42Z")
Came up in conversation with a friend about another friend’s girlfriend. She has always been pleasant around us, but she is apparently a vicious bitch in business. Our friend almost blew off dating her after he heard her tell someone to “Fuck off!” on the phone. He was appalled that she would speak to someone that way at all, doubly so that she would do so in a business situation. (She’s in a form of the entertainment biz, and seems to be doing her version of Kevin Spacey in “Swimming with Sharks” - something I’ve never understood.) I’m appalled as well. Neither my friend or I have ever, in our entire lives, told someone to fuck off. Ever. It is anathema to both of us. Even when we were teenagers and still behaving stupidly. I think this is true of a majority of my friends (most of whom I’ve known since we were teenagers). This is not to say that I have never \* wanted \* to say “fuck off!” nor to say that I do not have a vulgar tongue, I certainly do. But I draw a very thick line between saying “fuck \*\* it\*\*” and “fuck \*\* you \*\*” (or fuck off, which are both personalized curses). There’s a number of reasons for this, but they all sorta boil down to one thing: it’s just not the way evolved people interact. Period. I konw for a fact that many of my fellow dopers don’t agree, because I see y’all tossing “fuck off” and “fuck you” at each other every day. But I am always taken aback by it. So what’s up with it? Do you, have you said it? Do you say it without thinking? Do you regret it? What are your “rules” for behavior? What lines are you not willing to cross? (I’m going to make a WAG that 99/9 dopers won’t use racial epithets, that’s kind of a given.) And this is in the Pit for language and because it’s kind of about the Pit of Life, as well as this one. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/2 "2002-10-25T01:01:37Z")
Yep, I say “fuck off”. In a kind of jokey way, and to people who I know will take it as such. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/3 "2002-10-25T01:13:26Z")
\*\* Tansu, \*\* I do that as well. So let me amend myself: I have never said “fuck off” to someone seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/4 "2002-10-25T01:18:10Z")
I once told an army officer to “fuck off,” and I meant it. To be fair, he was trying to wake me up and I thought he was someone else, i.e. someone of the same lowly rank as me. Once I realized who he was, I woke up _real_ fast and apologized but he shrugged it off. It’s possible I mumbled and he didn’t understand what I had said, but the memory is burned into my soul. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/5 "2002-10-25T01:24:50Z")
I use “Fuck Off” or “Fuck You” quite often. Sometimes it is in a joking manor, sometimes it is serious. I don’t find either phrase to be all the insulting. The terms I will not use are the C word that rhymes with punt and racial terms. I find those to be really insulting. > [@](#): > > (I’m going to make a WAG that 99/9 dopers won’t use racial epithets, that’s kind of a given.) So 11 Dopers won’t use racial terms? 🙂 Slee ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/6 "2002-10-25T01:34:40Z")
But **Stoid** , you invented the classic, “fuck the fuck off?” remember? That was the best! I once screamed “FUCK YOU!” at some customer who called me a bitch. Across the entire store. In front of our store manager. AND I got to keep my job. Sa-weet! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/7 "2002-10-25T01:46:26Z")
I’m seriously reserved with it, or at least I try and be, because if and when it’s directed at me it offends me greatly. I doubt I’ve ever used it against someone I know, certainly never against anybody I respect no matter how mad they’ve made me, and absolutely never in business. That’s financially and ethically suicidal. But when some motherfucker (another term I _never_ use) is blatently rude towards me, a child or a woman, I can be enticed to lose it. Generally when that happens, the “fuck you” has suddenly become the least of their worries. Breathing during these situations is important. I’ve learned counting to my age usually tempers my response to something more intelligent than their comment or action. ---
**Author:** ![glarGH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/76d3ee/32.png) [@glarGH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glarGH)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/8 "2002-10-25T02:03:59Z")
I did it just now on the phone. Goddammit I hate my job. glarGH: “Stupid Mail Order bride business, glarGH speaking, how may I help you?” FUCKING SHIT ASS Puppet on line #2:“Hey mizz glarGH, you’s got a sexy voice… can you guess what I’m doing right now?” _click…BUZZZZZZZZ_ glarGH: “Stupid Mail Order bride business, glarGH speaking, how may I help you?” at which point same asspuppet proceeds to tell me about his cock. glarGH:“FUCK OFF, YOU GODDAMN PERVERT I WILL FIND YOU AND BREAK BOTH OF YOUR ARMS IF YOU EVER CALL AGAIN” _click… BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ_ its such a useful term. I like it immensely, especially with “break both your arms” appended to it. I also enjoy ,“Fuck you, you fucker’s fuck!!” but, that’s someone else’s. FUCK! I have to go out and kill something now. I feel dirty. ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/9 "2002-10-25T02:53:00Z")
Actually, I know of one case in which that was the opening salvo in a truly heart-warming story of love and tenderness in the big city. Those were the bride-to-be’s first words to the groom-to-be. ---
**Author:** ![JonScribe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/10 "2002-10-25T02:54:28Z")
I will more often utter “Fuck me” when I’ve done something stupid … or painful … or both. And “Fuck that” has passed my lips. But Rarely have I directed that F-bomb at someone in anger. Now, however, Mrs. Scribe, does like a little dirty talk in the throes of passion. ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/11 "2002-10-25T02:57:05Z")
I’ve never told anyone to “fuck off.” But I have told certain individuals to “go forth and multiply.” It’s very satisfying. ---
**Author:** ![chipmunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90db22/32.png) [@chipmunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chipmunk)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/12 "2002-10-25T03:07:29Z")
I got thru the first 50 years of my life without ever saying that to anyone, but my ex-boyfriend brought me to a sufficient point of inspiration a couple of weeks after he had dumped me about a year and a quarter ago. He was being very manipulative, hateful, and hurtful… so I finally just yelled “fuck you” at him, and walked away. It didn’t take too much longer for me to stop crying, and start to feel pretty good about myself. I guess if I only do it once every 50 years, It’s not too awful… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/13 "2002-10-25T05:10:27Z")
I’d love to hear how glarGH handles telemarketers. You crack me the fuck up glarGH. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/14 "2002-10-25T13:19:59Z")
> [@](#): > > I have _never_ said to someone “Fuck off!” - have you? Yes, daily. I’m a bitch when I drive, but I don’t blame myself, I blame all the stupid fucks out there on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/15 "2002-10-25T13:29:26Z")
I said it in eighth grade, to some guys who were harassing me. Their reaction was as if I hadn’t said anything at all. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/16 "2002-10-25T13:34:56Z")
I have said that and worse. But I wouldn’t consider saying it in a business situation. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/17 "2002-10-25T13:47:25Z")
Not that I’m averse to sayin’ “Fuck off!” – I just haven’t had much real cause to do it. Never in a business situation, mind. There are always way more cutting ways of doing th’ deed. I’ve said “Fuck off” to bastards who won’t quit hammering me and think they can keep right on doin’ it on th’ misapprehension that I have a clean mind and even cleaner tongue. I’ve said “Fuck off” to a friend who was teasing me beyond endurance, on a day of low tolerance. I thought I’d lost that friend – but I didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/18 "2002-10-25T13:52:06Z")
Didn’t someone here at SDMB coin the phrase, “eat my fuck?” I could’ve sworn I picked that up here. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/19 "2002-10-25T13:52:52Z")
I have. a lot. In business situations too! Of course, much less now than when I worked on the trading desk 🙂 What’s the difference between a stock broker and a client? A: The client says “fuck you” and hangs up, while the stock broker hangs up and then says “fuck you.” ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775/20 "2002-10-25T14:07:46Z")
And I can’t believe no one’s said it yet… **FUCKO OFF!** [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-never-said-to-someone-fuck-off-have-you/133775.md?page=2)