Ever notice when someone uses the word "but" in a sentence, you can pretty much ignore everything they said right before it?

I hate to bother you, but...
I really like you, but...
That's a nice sweater, but...
I know you're busy, but..


wouldn't life be so much simpler if people just said what they thought, or asked what they wanted to ask?
Many people don't appreciate directness, though. When they ask what you think, and you tell them what you think, that's not what they wanted to know. They wanted you to agree with them, or tell them their really stupid idea was a good one, or that guy wasn't going to cheat on them.

Life is too short for that crap. It's all a dance. Can't we just cut to the chase please?