Easy words and phrases expose people much more about their values than does the big talk. In cases where a person does not have any basic morals, it is usually exhibited by the empty words that are used to avoid responsibility, shrug about causing harm or even excuse selfishness. These words might seem common, even innocent, but when repeated these words create an unmistakable pattern. The fact that a person has heard one phrase once, does not make him/her anything, but when people hear a few of those, it is likely that it is a red flag that one should pay attention to.
That is not my problem
This sentence is an indicator of total insensitivity. It closes the heart to care and denies the sense of collective responsibility even in the face of the apparent malaise or injustice. Individuals who practice it tend to consider caring as a choice and responsibility as an attribute to another person.
Everyone does it
It is a phrase that is employed to justify bad ethical conduct by making it acceptable. The speaker prefers hiding behind the perceived acceptance of the majority to avoid guilt and introspection rather than asking whether an action is right or wrong.
You are too sensitive
Instead of admitting that someone was hurt, the phrase blames the other individual. It downplays actual emotions and does not want to be responsible of the words and deeds that are harmful.
I never promised anything
This is a phrase that many individuals like to escape obligations once they have taken advantage of a certain person. It re-packages failed expectations as technicalities as opposed to moral failures.
That is just how I am
It is where growth ceases and this phrase starts. It denies self-improvement and considers bad behavior as a personality trait that cannot be changed but a decision.
You misunderstood me
Although misunderstandings do occur, it turns out to be manipulative when this phrase is used over and over again. It causes the listener to focus on the harm done and puts the onus of distinction on him.
Why so much ado?
This is the rejection of the concerns without attending to them. It downplays those issues that are important to other people and implies that emotional responses are irrational and inconvenient.
I did what I had to do
This sentence is often employed as a justification of immoral choices as it eliminates morality out of the equation. It constructs selfish or harmful acts as inevitable and not as a choice.
That is on you, not me
In this line, the responsibility is shunned even when the action has a direct impact on other people. It presents a strict demarcation that shields the speaker against guilt or responsibility.
You should have known better
The fault is totally put on the other individual even in situations where there was an abuse of trust. It represents evil as the inability of another person to foresee evil.
I do not owe anyone anything
Although boundaries are good, this is not the case. It has discarded the fundamental levels of decency and respect, thinking of relationships as exchanges where morality is not obligatory.
