“You’re funny.”

“You’re funny.”

If you spend any time on the internet, you’re surely aware that LOL generally no longer means “laughing out loud.” LOL has now become the filler response.

Awkward comment? LOL
I’m not really listening to you. LOL
I want to avoid what you’re really asking/saying. LOL

The LOL problem has been around awhile, mostly through electronic communications; brief email threads, IMs, text messages. However, lately, I’ve seen it infiltrate into oral communication.

This first came to my attention back in September. I was dating this guy. He was…well…let’s just say there were a lot of comments he made I did not know how to respond to (and honestly, I’m just glad to live to tell this tale…this whole experience is a blog post in and of itself).
So we were driving somewhere sometime. He said something rude/offensive/obscure and I just brushed it off with a “you’re funny.”

His response? “You say that a lot.”

Oops.

So I guess I do. Since then I’ve been hyper sensitive to the filler responses in communication. Hopefully I’ve improved, but sometimes there just isn’t anything else to say besides “you’re funny.”
I think since then I’ve pointed it out to a few friends who are repeat offenders. I don’t do it to stir the pot (generally), but sometimes I know what I’ve said wasn’t all that funny. Please save the “you’re funny” for when I’ve actually tickled you. I mean, I am not the world’s funniest person, but I’ve been know to make ‘em laugh. When I’ve said something, they usually just laugh it off and we move on.

It’s got me thinking. This could mean 2 things.
A. We aren’t listening as closely as we should.
B. We don’t have the balls to react honestly in some conversations.

It’s almost as annoying as an offense as always telling people “I’m fine.”

Ooooomphm. But then we’re walking the fine line of divulging too much to complete strangers.

Anyway. I digress. Circling back…

Think back to recent conversations, electronic or oral. Are you LOL-ing a bit too much? Perhaps you’re telling someone they’re funny after they’ve put them self out in the proverbial “there.”

Just something to chew on.