It is commonplace on forums to see posts in reply to others with, "All I can say about that is 'whatever'." It seems to me this dismisses and disrupts a conversation, and also disrespects the poster to whom they are replying. If we say, "I hope Joe makes a good decision in 'whatever' he decides," then the word is useful in making the statement intelligent without listing all the things Joe might be considering. If we say, " All I can say concerning your last statement is, 'whatever'," then the word becomes a dismissal without any intelligent content. It disrupts the flow of the conversation and is disrespectful to others. It is like saying, "I can't think of any good valid response but I won't let you have the last say, so I am dismissing you." This denotes an air of superiority and arrogance in my opinion. What are your thoughts on using "whatever" as a response to something someone has said?
@Faye Fox - maybe it is too early for me yet...what tha hell are you talking about? Working on my coffee to wake me up, but I seem to be missing the point here.
I am referring to those that get involved in threads where controversial things are being discussed and when they see an opposing view that they have no intelligent comeback, they just reply with, "whatever." That seems disrespectful and dismissive to me.
For me it is comes from frustration of having read the post to find out, a real reply is not worth many words. Or to show lack of difference in caring. I am trying to approach the forum differently now though. 1. Respond to post that actually interest me, versus just getting my say so in 2. staying away from political, religious, virus BS 3. trying to stay on the lighter side of the forum- there is much more to read and participate in the forum instead of all the heavy stuff. See I am saving myself for the good posts to reply to
@Faye Fox I agree with what you are saying as far as the dismissing but not to disrespect what is being said because I say it a lot to my sons and grandbabies. Whatever when I say it is that I have no more to say when there is no agreement and basically to drop the conversation. That's just me. Good post Faye.
Exactly, Von, that is the way my bestie's daughter uses it with her kids. It replaces I am not discussing this anymore and is usually after they repeat their lame excuses for failure to be responsible and it is usually said after the penalty for their lack of action has been announced. Kid: "That is not a fair punishment mom!" Mom: "Whatever!" In forum use, it may have just been a dismissing, but personally, I find that a bit rude and as one adult to another, disrespectful.
I am trying to follow your good example! I was talking in general here as I see this on several forums. People enter a conversation and then don't want to discuss it further if their post or thread doesn't get a lot of likes or support they imagined it would and regardless of the topic, they reply, "whatever."
When someone uses "Whatever" to really mean "Who cares." With the implication, "No one cares." By the way, I don't like someone speaking for me even if I don't care. LOL
I got it from watching the movie, Weekend At Bernie's. Bernie said "whatever" a few times. But, when I also say "whatever" is when someone puts me down for something and the only response I can think of, without getting to mad, is............."whatever".
Dealing with sometimes 6 grands I have been known to maake up words to shut them up. We took 4 to the Mountains sking and they wer really cold and really noisy. I told them to get busy sking or get usy freezing. Guess which they chose to do.I loved those cute little ski boots,I had to show them how its done of course and busted my butt going down a hill,they finally got to laugh,They wer 4,5,7,9 years old at the time.
Whatever is used by young people just for what you think. It is dismissive and childish. My father would have called it lazy thinking.