RIGHT LINES

I’ve started saying ‘right?’ at the end of sentences. 

It’s really annoying me, because I keep catching myself when it’s too late, and it’s too often. As an example, It could be after almost anything…

“I guess it’s because we need a review cycle, right?”

“I chalked that up against my Q3 goals, right?”

“That’s because for some reason we put ketchup in the fridge, right?”

Sometimes these little verbal foibles creep in - like Americans (and us sometimes) saying ‘like’ in… 

“And so he was like ‘Whaaat?’, and then I was like ‘Yeah’ and then she was like ‘Woah!’ … man.

Or the infectious little ‘um’ and ‘y’know’ that footballers are fond of.

“It was a good game y’know, and we played really well y’know - for us, um, I mean great first half and y’know the lad’s, um, he’s just hit that one really sweet y’know and it’s hit the back of the net…”

We don’t always notice these little bugs. But other people do. Which means if I’ve spotted myself saying ‘right?’ at the end of sentences (as if to gain approval or confirmation) then I’m not the only one who’s noticed I do this. Right?

Am I right?

Agree with me?

Do you think the same? Come on, just a little nod. Smile? No? Oh please agree with me to satisfy my obvious need for connection with you in place of the wobble of insecurity! No?

Well, maybe you haven’t noticed. I’m going to try expunging it anyway.

By the way, I don’t think it’s wrong to want connection with the person you’re talking to. Far from it, connection is the foundation of good communication, and an occasional plea for agreement is okay, especially if the thing you’re saying is a thing that’s forming as you’re saying it and you’re not really sure just yet if it’s thought-through enough. I’m just aware that I’m overusing ‘right?’ and coming across a bit like David Brent. Yeah? Ooh. So… perfick, so… Huh?

I’ll have a go. But if I need you to agree with me to show me that I’m on the right lines and my brain isn’t leaping towards some daft, heretical, accidentally catastrophic conclusion, I’m likely to slip up. Just smile and nod. Right?