1. We need to talk…
2. Okay, just one more thing…
3. I need you to be totally honest…
4. Any sentence which begins with a group identification, as in:
“As a woman…”
“Speaking as a gay man…”
“As a transgendered Asian-American…”
“As a registered Republican…”
“As a tenured faculty member…”
The subtext of such introductions is always, “And you’re not.”
5. If it’s not too much trouble…
6. I know I have no right to ask this, but…
7. I’m listening and I hear what you’re saying but…
8. Maybe because I’m younger than you…
9. Maybe because I’m older than you…
10. But if I were you…
11. Right now I just need you to be quiet and listen because…
12. Hi, I’m calling on behalf of…
13. Speaking as your mother, in case you’ve forgotten that you have one…
14. Excuse me, but this will only take a second…
15. I agree with everything you’ve just said, but…
16. I think we’re all on the same page here, but…
17. I know I keep talking about myself and I promise I’ll stop, but…
18. I can’t remember, but have I ever told you the story about…
After you’ve heard almost any of these openings, you will most likely stop listening, but you should remember to keep looking at whoever is speaking, and nod occasionally.
