this post was submitted on 08 Sep 2025
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The most popular seem to be lighthearted clever little truths, hidden in daily life.

Here are some examples to inspire your own showerthoughts:

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If you say yes, it can be interpreted as "yes I mind" or "yes, I give you permission", if you say no, it can be interpreted as "no, I don't give you permission" or "no, I dont mind". You always end up having to clarify.

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[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Go for it. / I wouldn't do that

[–] FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago

I often say "go ahead". I still find it annoying I can't just say yes or no without risk of it being misinterpreted

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago

Unless you're a character trapped in a logic problem that dictates that you can only answer yes or no, I can see that being a problem.

But, for anyone existing in the real world, you can always just say exactly what you mean.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 10 points 2 weeks ago

Reply in the negative: "Yes, fuck off."

Reply in the affirmative: "No, go ahead."

[–] Curious_Canid@lemmy.ca 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I've always found that "DO NOT DO THAT" works pretty well. :-)

[–] TheV2@programming.dev 0 points 2 weeks ago

Do you mind if I do not do that?

[–] Diddlydee@feddit.uk 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

You have innumerable replies. Of course there's a good way. It's as simple as 'yes, I mind' or 'no, I don't mind'.

Why would you limit yourself to just yes or no, the obviously confusing answers?

[–] JeeBaiChow@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

The question is do you mind, with minding as the subject of the question. Answering yes or no is perfectly acceptable.

[–] Bgugi@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

Be mindful: this is a common cop trick to manufacture consent.

[–] FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca -2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

But people often interpret it the opposite way you mean it

[–] JeeBaiChow@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

People interpret it any way they want. You're gonna meet people with different levels of comprehension in life. For those people you elaborate. Yes I mind, no I do not mind. Done.

[–] thezeesystem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 2 weeks ago

That's exactly how cops tend to entrap people.ask questions that can be either way and that way they always get the answer they want even if you didn't mean It like that.

[–] CaptainBlinky@lemmy.myserv.one 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I mean, those all sound like good ways to answer. Sometimes a single word response just isn't sufficient.

[–] FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It would be sufficient to say yes or no if people didn't insist on asking in a negative way. Why not say "can i" or "would it be okay if i" instead of asking in such a way that yes means no

[–] __siru__@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 weeks ago

And this is why double negatives are in general frowned upon in the English language, because they make the content much more difficult to understand.

[–] Fleur_@aussie.zone 6 points 2 weeks ago

"go for it"

[–] rumba@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 weeks ago

One word: Proceed

[–] latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

"Yes, I do mind! Drop the fucking mouse, I said we're listening to Melodic Noise!" There, should cover all the bases!

Edit: shitty idea no. 2 would be to go the passive-aggressive pedantic asshole route, where you just say "sure" then throw a fit when they go ahead and do that, and start spewing semantics at them.

[–] DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 weeks ago

This is my private domicile and I will not be harassed, BITCH!

[–] vk6flab@lemmy.radio 3 points 2 weeks ago

That depends ...

[–] Cevilia@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 2 weeks ago

One word: Don't.

[–] FridaySteve@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You could take the question for what it is - a person's polite way of acknowledging you in their orbit and that their actions may affect you. This is an extremely rare attitude. Most people express entitlement instead of kindness. If people around you are actively trying to be less self-centered, the best way to respond is by acknowledging that they are being considerate and answering their question. Pretending not to understand what they mean is the last thing you want to do. Always support and encourage behavior you want to see more of. You have more words than "yes" and "no" and while that question literally suggests a binary response, you can always feel free to use your communication skills.

[–] FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca -3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Having to clarify bugs me. They could say "is it alright if I....." and remove the ambiguity

[–] dragnucs@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 weeks ago

One word answers are not always the best way to answer. They are acceptable only if you are on a big hurry. The best answer would be to form a sentence.

[–] bryndos@fedia.io 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

'Fuck you/off/that' = don't do it. 'Whatever' = go ahead.

I think this is where the weird German "doch", that i really can't get my head around, might be useful.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

For GenX, "whatever" means "Believe whatever you want to believe. Dipshit."

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago

I feel like playground beating could've been had for less when I was a kid.

[–] SolidShake@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

"yes. I do mind"

"No. I don't mind"

[–] LavaPlanet@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

Or you're Australian and you go yeah, nah, or nah, yeah, depending on the situation, of course.

[–] SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

You mind if I finish that cock?