https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 18:56:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2026187 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:47:04 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2026187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsH: I use "thus" alot too especially in verbal communication. Just for fun I like saying "shall" as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2026074 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:49:47 +0000 Meridian 2026074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a total "so" abuser, and I can't quit, ack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2026043 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:30:33 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2026043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: interesting! At one of my old jobs I used to be hyper aware of this but I haven't thought about it in years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025853 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 15:17:55 +0000 .twist. 2025853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: oh man! I totally say "and stuff" all the time! hahaha oops. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025735 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:33:38 +0000 hellobeeboston 2025735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I'm totally guilty of doing this (ha!! See what I did there). I don't do it in work emails though, I don't think. But fefintely when emailing texting with friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025706 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:26:07 +0000 Maysprout 2025706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It doesn't ususlly bother me unless it's excessive. But normally I use it or hear others use it to separate niceties from ok now it's time to get down to business and here's why we organized this lunch or meeting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025534 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:29:08 +0000 alohaorchid 2025534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I absolutely agree with the author on this. Using "so" and "like" as filliers in the workplace (and elsewhere) is a huge pet peeve of mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025522 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:25:00 +0000 MaryM 2025522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Baby Boy Mom: It's better to pause than to say filler words. the professor I had tried to get us to stop and think instead of making noises. </p> <p>He also pointed out uses of "and stuff" at the end of sentances, or "and things like that"...words that add nothing of substance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025489 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:10:24 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2025489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: so...uh...what are you supposed to say instead to let your brain catch up? :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025374 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 12:18:00 +0000 MrsH 2025374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: When using a word to show cause and effect I usually use "thus" :) just another option </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025319 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:54:08 +0000 looch 2025319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: I find I do it in email a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025263 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:29:22 +0000 MrsTiz 2025263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: I agree with all of that. </p> <p>So is similar to saying "like", I use it often to carry one sentence to the next in a filler-way. I guess in place of saying "Um" lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025250 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:23:11 +0000 Freckles 2025250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I find it much easier to catch in written communication! I don't think I've eve used it in written comm though. </p> <p>@.twist.: a friend of mine uses umm and like all the time! She is so smart but her frequent use of those words definitely hurts her image. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025248 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:22:33 +0000 mrsjyw 2025248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a technical writer for consulting and b2b sales and rarely see 'so' used nor do I use it in my writing. I can definitely agree w the article. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025160 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:50:41 +0000 Mamaof2 2025160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't recall ever hearing people start with "so" but now I will be on the lookout!</p> <p>I know in a previous post someone mentioned how we always say "sorry" and oh my goodness, once I started looking for it I heard it all.the.time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025159 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:50:39 +0000 looch 2025159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to admit I do use "so" a lot in the ways that the article mentions not to, and I am going to make an effort to avoid doing it. I tend to use it a lot in written comms, that's going to take some work to stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025155 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:49:06 +0000 .twist. 2025155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: yes! I hate "like" and try really hard to only use it when truly appropriate and not as a filler.</p> <p>ETA: Come to think of it, any word you use as a filler can have the same affect. Um, So, Like, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025135 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:41:24 +0000 Freckles 2025135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: I agree there is a difference between filler word and linking word.</p> <p>I use "so" a lot in my everyday speech and I have been trying to catch myself from starting conversations that way. I think it makes you sound unsure and timid. </p> <p>Personally, I think "like" is a much more damaging! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025109 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:29:38 +0000 .twist. 2025109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>huh! Interesting. I don't think I use "so" when describing my job position or responsibilities to anyone. I guess I just don't feel like it's all that important so why bother making it sound all distinguished and stuff. I totally see what the author is saying though and I'm going to be mindful and see if I can catch myself doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025100 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:26:17 +0000 MaryM 2025100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there's a difference between using "So" as a linking word and as a filler word. In cases of a filler word, I think it does hurt your credibility. It looks like you're not confident in what you're saying, and so, you have to say things to create pauses in which your brain can catch up and figure out what to say. </p> <p>(see what I did there? :wink: )</p> <p>It was a major focus in a training class I took last semester. the professor made as big a deal out of "so" as he did "um" and "uh" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025087 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:22:14 +0000 blackbird 2025087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tend to see "therefore" or "in conclusion" instead of "so" in formal documents....but conversation is generally casual around here and I hear it often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025064 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:15:37 +0000 mrswin 2025064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I kind of understand the point the author is making but I can't say that this is something I notice happening much in professional conversations although I will listen for it now. I think a lot of what he is saying has to do more with the way the speaker delivers the message than anything else.</p> <p>In terms of using "so" in written documents I will often use "as such" or "as a result" when dealing with cause an effect because "so" can sound very informal and not as definitive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2025061 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:15:03 +0000 Orchid 2025061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think of it in the same way as "like". We're trying to get my stepdaughter (10 years old) to stop using "like" and "so" in her speech. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2024706 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:04:24 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2024706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Work may not be the best board for this; feel free to move it. </p> <p>I use "so" all the time especially in my writing often to demonstrate cause and effect or just explain why. I had no idea how condescending it sounds, although after some reflection I have been on the receiving end of some questionable "sos." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-undermines-credibility#post-2024702 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 23:55:46 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2024702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://m.fastcompany.com/3029762/how-a-popular-two-letter-word-is-undermining-your-credibility" rel="nofollow">http://m.fastcompany.com/3029762/how-a-popular-two-letter-word-is-undermining-your-credibility</a></p> <p>WDYT </p>