Earlier today I was commenting how I’m not much into stereotypical “girly” stuff like shoe shopping and make-up and such. Thinking back on it. my brain went off on a tangent of ways to express “each to his/her own.” It became a somewhat disturbing tangent. I came up with:
If you want to wear a My Little Pony onesie while eating peanut butter from the jar as you fantasize about the My Pillow Guy…
Then it occurred to me that there are some pretty creative and slightly off-kilter posters here on the SDMB. The gauntlet is cast!
Some one starts a thing with me I often say, “Who cut your hair?” With my own particular brand of a sweet southern drawl and maybe even a touch to the end of their hair. And smile.
Stops 'em cold.
Interesting - I always took it to mean that while I might not agree with your approach or outlook, it’s no big deal that we’re different. Am I that far out of the loop?
That’s what it means on the surface, but I can only recall one instance, between two children in a commercial, where it was used that way. Especially here it seems to be used in the format “You seem to like fornicating with animals, but you do you.”
As with all such observations, confirmation bias may be at play. I don’t think I have ever had it used against me, so I don’t feel it personally.
Someone here used it toward me at one point, and the effect was definitely one of an eyeroll/condescension. Like, “Why in the world would you do THAT?” I may have misinterpreted it. But I don’t think so. I still remember it as unnecessary and a little obnoxious.
Sorry! Did not intend to rain on your parade. It’s not my favorite expression, but go ahead and use it if you want (you are, after all, nice, dammit, and would not insult your imaginary friends).
I can see it being fun to say to an idiot customer service person who can’t/won’t help. Or a dumb person in line having a fit because the line is slow because you’re counting out correct change instead of tap to pay option.
But I never confront people like this.
But…you do you.
I would get a giggle if I saw it happening. That would entertain my boring day.
I consider the expression very condescending and, even if it weren’t, irritating. It comes across as if you are giving me permission as to how to behave.
One essence of that little phrase is that at its most kind, it’s still quite dismissive. There’s a hint of "you could easily be better, but I guess if you want to continue to be inferior or misguided or defective, by all means go ahead "
A lot of people use “you do you” and the common variations dismissively at best, derisively at worst.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
One of my faves, and introduced to me by another Doper is “Let your freak flag fly.” Which implies acceptance for the other person’s odd choices that you yourself might not embrace. Or at least, it echoes the famous sentiment
Please don’t change your behavior on account of my remarks. I cannot recall reading this expression from you, but if you used it sincerely I feel sure that sincerity came across.
