Comments for Annoying Overuse of "I Don't Know"

Comments for
Annoying Overuse of "I Don't Know"

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Jun 15, 2010
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No Gift at All
by: Anonymous

Why is it that family members are expected to become gift givers and participants in their nieces' and nephews' lives? I am an aunt- NOT BY CHOICE. I did not ask for these kids. Yet somehow I am the bad person if I do not attend every function or give gifts at parties. I'm fed up with this social obligation that I really do not want.

May 07, 2010
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Take the Higher Road
by: Eunice replies

Dearest Uncle in Evanston,

I agree that the use of "I don't know" these days is excessive. I try to catch myself when I use it.

The use of "I don't know", more often than not, is simply laziness of the brain.

I agree with you that your nephews should have given you some answers but I'll suggest more creative ways to force answers out of them. While you cannot control how they choose to answer, you could have prompted them saying, "How about a snorkel set? Or a book?" You can say, well if you're not going to tell me, I'm just going to donate your gift to charity.

I wish what you had done (the nice, thoughtful donation) would have indeed taught them a lesson. But it seemed that it didn't result in what you were going for.

Why not take the high road and send a good gift this time, or at least a card and a movie voucher. I'm sure your nephews will not respond 'I don't know' again to you and you all might have a good laugh about this in the future.

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