this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2025
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Witches VS Patriarchy
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Words in a dictionary out of context, sure, but in a conversation we are using words to express ourselves and additional input such as body language is used to develop interpretation. The meaning changes in context and delivery. Common examples include sarcasm, hyperbole/exaggeration, double entendre, and so on.
A more developed example would be: When someone days "you ALWAYS do X", the truth that you don't is immediately obvious. That suggests they're speaking from a place of emotion and that "ALWAYS" can therefore be interpreted as "too often for my liking".
but that's the thing, using generalizations are harmful when speaking about personal feelings. I would much rather hear "You did X, Y and Z and it makes me feel bad" rather than "I hate everything you do".
I always know where women come from when they say "men are trash" or "I hate men", but I can't say it doesn't hurt sometimes because my gut reaction to a generalization is "oh, they are so hurt they can't even speak on specifically what hurt them, so I guess I'm just trash for now until further notice"
The hardest part is not internalizing. They're trusting you enough to complain to you, so you're obviously not trash to them. It should only be, "oh, they are so hurt they can't even speak on specifically what hurt them."