Trying to be nice

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When people tell me what sort of music they're into, and it's the usual lame-o crap, I do TRY to be charitable and just "mmm" along. Partly this is cos I know that I like listening to stuff that is largely regarded as pretty rubbish (worst example, Shed 7, sorry).

BUT, and this is a BIG "but", a recent new housemate said he liked Stereophonics, and I ended up tying myself in knots, alternately saying "but they're bland rubbish" and then "but i guess everyone..." and so on. It was like one of those good v evil fights you get in star trek. i'm so bloody reasonable.

What bands can you just NOT be nice about, regardless of social circumstances?

― Alan Trewartha, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

(let's say it's your boss you're talking too, and you're angling for a raise)`

― Alan 'new answer' Trewartha, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I had a really tough time holding back when someone told me they were going to the Afroman show.

― Ian, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It so depends on the tone they're using, though. Somebody taking for granted that everybody in the know likes a band I think are just average will push my buttons FAR more than someone saying they like even the worst bands. I used not to be like this but one of my best friends likes really savagely awful music ("Which should I buy, Travis or Dido?" etc.) and I just learned not to be arsey about it.

― Tom, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I once ripped into someone a little for liking a recent Bon Jovi album, probably "Keep the Faith" from 2000, or something, I don't know. I was like, "You are still listening to that stuff, seriously"--then some overly PC hipster types got offended that I spoke out against dreck and told me off for telling someone off. Oh well.

― g, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Afroman, hell yeah. Hate it. Also, I imagine I'd have a hard time keeping a straight face if someone started on about how much they dig NSYNC. Britney Spears I'm used to. I just go, "really? Huh." I have a hard time with Limp Biscuit, Corn and Creed, but I let it pass almost entirely. I'll usually smile and say, "I HATE them!... No, I dunno why, I just can't get into that stuff." It's voicing my opinion without being a dick about it, I think. Then, I don't have to pretend I like it when they put it on the stereo.

― Nude Spock, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm never rude if people like rubbish music and are just, like, "this is what I like, sorry", but if it's like the fellow on the 'stupid arguments' thread who thinks he is in some way THE BIG MAN for liking the Charlatans, then I'll be jolly rude.

― DG, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

A co-worker once said to me "You've got to admit, Phil Collins is a GREAT singer". I could not bring myself to admit any such thing.

What's more difficult is when someone compares something that you love to something that you loathe (eg "gosh these stooges are almost as good as nirvana" etc etc)

― Andrew L, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I make very strange faces when the conversation is about Sting, so people say, "What, you don't like him?" "Nope, he's horrible," I say, smiling, and then make more faces.

― Maria, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I once shot my friends copy of Phil Collins' 'In The Air Tonight' with an air gun. I think he got the message.

― DavidM, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I feel the need to make snide comments whenever claims that either Belle & Sebastian or Radiohead are the best band, ever. They're OK, but the best? Hardly.

― daniel, Monday, 29 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The first Stereophonics song I heard was Local Boy in the Photograph which I really liked and and it's everything else I've heard subsequently which has been bland rubbish. So if I encounter a Stereophonics fan I can at least say "well, I really liked Local Boy in the Photograph, but their subsequent material hasn't appealed to me," which is a useful cop-out; I'm saying what I really think and the fan is not offended. But if it were, say, a Travis fan or a Phil Collins fan, then there would be no hiding place. Maybe I'd deal with it by murmuring "Each to his own.." or somesuch.

― MarkH, Tuesday, 30 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

my defense is to ask whether the despised band or artist did such and such a song, or perform on a certain show, especially if i already know the answer, and because they start answering the questions, i don't have to tell the truth, and they can warble to their heart's content without getting angry or defensive.

Limp Bizkit might be my weak point, but they haven't come up in interrogation in ages.

― badger, Tuesday, 30 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Go-Betweens obviously. Duran Duran, St Etienne, most Stephin Merritt stuff. All Elton John. Anything by Radiohead with vocals. Iron Maiden (forever shite). All Blur B-sides. Is it worth pointing out that things which patently suck suck anyway? I certainly can't be nice about these examples.

― Snotty Moore, Tuesday, 30 October 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

eighteen years pass...

nice music

― j., Tuesday, 10 March 2020 21:13 (six years ago)

Hahaha stereophonics

― akm, Wednesday, 11 March 2020 02:32 (six years ago)

why does it feel so good / so good to be bad

― brimstead, Wednesday, 11 March 2020 03:02 (six years ago)

Ah, simpler times, those.

― enochroot, Wednesday, 11 March 2020 14:23 (six years ago)

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