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Usenet Posted 18 years ago
Usage
You're nice enough, Hillary
Has this been discussed already?
During iirc one of the early debates, when there were maybe 8 Democrats debating, someone a question was raised about some alleged unpleasnt trait or habit in the interpersonal behaviour of Hillary Clinton.
And I forget what she said, but eventually she asked Barack Obama what he thought, and he said quote
"You're nice enough, Hillary"
How did/do you react to that statement?
What do you think it means?
Do you think it was a catty or snide remark by Obama.
At the time, some people, even reporters or pundits, seemed to think so or at least maybe.
But I thought it represented a standard method of speaking, that we used in college in the 60's and could easily have remained current into the late 70's and 80's when Obama was in school, and that it wasn't offensive at all.
Do you people remember this style? Did you use it? Do you still?
For example, about a girl.
She's pretty enough. That is, tastes vary, but no one will think she is really bad looking, and you, my friend, will probably think she's quite attractive. That is, being "pretty enough" is no insult.
She's nice enough. That means I can't guarantee you'll hit it off, but she has no obnoxious or offensive habits I know of. She meets the minimum daily requirement of nice, and after that it's up to you how well you get along.I think 'nice enough' means, you meet acceptable standards of politeness, pleasantness, and kindness; that although we might not like the same things or find anything to talk about, you're nice enough to hang out with; and I don't think it's profitable or polite to nitpick exactly how nice I think another person is, to discuss or debate the level of niceness of people who have already met acceptable levels.
Who wants to get stuck quibbling about whether one person is nicer than another. Who is an 85 and who an 87 or 93. The only standard we need to concern ourselves with is whether someone is nice enough. Nice enough to invite to a party and expect one not to offend the others at the party; nice enough to invite to a dinner for 6 and, again, expect not to offend the others.
Nu?
During iirc one of the early debates, when there were maybe 8 Democrats debating, someone a question was raised about some alleged unpleasnt trait or habit in the interpersonal behaviour of Hillary Clinton.
And I forget what she said, but eventually she asked Barack Obama what he thought, and he said quote
"You're nice enough, Hillary"
How did/do you react to that statement?
What do you think it means?
Do you think it was a catty or snide remark by Obama.
At the time, some people, even reporters or pundits, seemed to think so or at least maybe.
But I thought it represented a standard method of speaking, that we used in college in the 60's and could easily have remained current into the late 70's and 80's when Obama was in school, and that it wasn't offensive at all.
Do you people remember this style? Did you use it? Do you still?
For example, about a girl.
She's pretty enough. That is, tastes vary, but no one will think she is really bad looking, and you, my friend, will probably think she's quite attractive. That is, being "pretty enough" is no insult.
She's nice enough. That means I can't guarantee you'll hit it off, but she has no obnoxious or offensive habits I know of. She meets the minimum daily requirement of nice, and after that it's up to you how well you get along.I think 'nice enough' means, you meet acceptable standards of politeness, pleasantness, and kindness; that although we might not like the same things or find anything to talk about, you're nice enough to hang out with; and I don't think it's profitable or polite to nitpick exactly how nice I think another person is, to discuss or debate the level of niceness of people who have already met acceptable levels.
Who wants to get stuck quibbling about whether one person is nicer than another. Who is an 85 and who an 87 or 93. The only standard we need to concern ourselves with is whether someone is nice enough. Nice enough to invite to a party and expect one not to offend the others at the party; nice enough to invite to a dinner for 6 and, again, expect not to offend the others.
Nu?
Top answer
[nq:1]Has this been discussed already? Do you people remember this style? Did you use it?
- [nq:1]Has this been discussed already?
- Do you people remember this style?
- Did you use it?
- Do you still?
- For example, ...
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6 Answers
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[nq:1]Has this been discussed already? Do you people remember this style? Did you use it? Do you still? For example, ... at the party; nice enough to invite to a dinner for 6 and, again, expect not to offend the others.[/nq]
I guess we need to think in terms of who meets whose standards, and possibly by how much at least in social intercourse.
Otherwise, we accept that "nice enough" m
I guess we need to think in terms of who meets whose standards, and possibly by how much at least in social intercourse.
Otherwise, we accept that "nice enough" m
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[nq:2]Has this been discussed already? Do you people remember this ... for 6 and, again, expect not to offend the others.[/nq]
[nq:1]I guess we need to think in terms of who meets whose standards, and possibly by how much at least in ... to be in our group". It is a put down when certain contexts are used. Same with "smart enough", etc.[/nq]
My experience is that it's usually taken to be a
[nq:1]I guess we need to think in terms of who meets whose standards, and possibly by how much at least in ... to be in our group". It is a put down when certain contexts are used. Same with "smart enough", etc.[/nq]
My experience is that it's usually taken to be a
00
[nq:2]I guess we need to think in terms of who ... when certain contexts are used. Same with "smart enough", etc.[/nq]
[nq:1]My experience is that it's usually taken to be a put-down, even if it wasn't intended as one. But many ... met, but just barely. It's on a par with thanking someone for a gift by saying "It's OK, I guess."[/nq]
It is comparable to "good enough for government work", m
[nq:1]My experience is that it's usually taken to be a put-down, even if it wasn't intended as one. But many ... met, but just barely. It's on a par with thanking someone for a gift by saying "It's OK, I guess."[/nq]
It is comparable to "good enough for government work", m
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[nq:1]But I thought it represented a standard method of speaking, that we used in college in the 60's and could ... and that it wasn't offensive at all. Do you people remember this style? Did you use it? Do you still?[/nq]
I'm with you. I still use it. No - it's not at all offensive. It's even slightly approving. Saying, 'He's a nice enough man', often elicits the reply, 'Yes, VERY nice'. If s
I'm with you. I still use it. No - it's not at all offensive. It's even slightly approving. Saying, 'He's a nice enough man', often elicits the reply, 'Yes, VERY nice'. If s
00
[nq:1][/nq]
[nq:2]But I thought it represented a standard method of speaking, ... remember this style? Did you use it? Do you still?[/nq]
[nq:1]I'm with you.[/nq]
That's good. I was feeling very alone.
[nq:2]But I thought it represented a standard method of speaking, ... remember this style? Did you use it? Do you still?[/nq]
[nq:1]I'm with you.[/nq]
That's good. I was feeling very alone.
00
[nq:1][/nq]
[nq:2]But I thought it represented a standard method of speaking, ... remember this style? Did you use it? Do you still?[/nq]
[nq:1]I'm with you. I still use it. No - it's not at all offensive. It's even slightly approving. Saying, 'He's a nice enough man', often elicits the reply, 'Yes, VERY nice'. If someone misconstrues the expression it's not your fault. We should use it mo
[nq:2]But I thought it represented a standard method of speaking, ... remember this style? Did you use it? Do you still?[/nq]
[nq:1]I'm with you. I still use it. No - it's not at all offensive. It's even slightly approving. Saying, 'He's a nice enough man', often elicits the reply, 'Yes, VERY nice'. If someone misconstrues the expression it's not your fault. We should use it mo
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