League_Girl wrote:
I always interpret it as they aren't saying it to be offensive and don't take it the wrong way like "No offense but you have a very bad landlord."
"No offense but I think you are being paranoid"
"No offense but aren't you worried about what people will think?"
But I have never seen anyone say it and then say something offensive.
Regardless of what they mean by it, it rubs me up the wrong way every time. It sounds like they are being really lazy in their speech and their efforts to "not offend". To refer to one of your examples, I would probably not be offended if someone said to me "You know, I think you are being paranoid", but by putting "No offense but" at the beginning...well now I'm offended!