Tia Juana will cheerfully provide advice for anyone that asks. Just mail your questions to “Ask Tia Juana” at PO Box 8, Van Horn, Texas 79855. All questions will remain anonymous unless there is a chance for extortion. Disclaimer: Tia Juana is not a licensed counselor or therapist and none of the advice should be considered professional.
Dear Tia,
I am finding myself more and more sensitive to people on who overuse buzzwords or phrases to the point that they become like nails on a chalkboard! It seems that these phrases are used so much that the users don’t even realize they are using them. Right now, the two that are driving me to drink are “at the end of the day,” and “Right?” Should I bring it to their attention that they have said the phrase 10 times in the last minute or should I just bite my tongue?
On the edge
Dear Edge,
I think that most over users latch on to these catch phrases initially because they think it makes them seem cool or intelligent, when in reality, they have the opposite effect. Most people stop listening and start focusing on the phrase. Try to avoid the impulse to throat punch the offender, because “at the end of the day,” the over user will only pick up another phrase when it becomes popular. Good luck!