How to parse “It's not about you”





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I once was discussing a personal decision I had made with an acquaintance, and he expressed his disapproval of my decision with the phrase "It's not about you".



As far as I could understand, this phrase somehow means "You're acting selfishly and you don't have the right to do this". But I am having a hard time putting that into the words "it's not about you". On the surface the words are gibberish. Of course a decision I make for myself is "about me". Does the phrase mean "a personal decision that affects you should not concern you"? That also makes little sense.



Of particular concern is the issue that it's impossible to refute without understanding what it is trying to say. So the recipient of such a statement (i.e. me) has no choice but to accept this vague statement of disapproval without objection.



What is the correct way to understand how to parse this statement?










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  • This seems to be more an interpersonal question than an English-language question. Sometimes, people (legitimately or not) disagree on whether a particular issue is about just you, or impacts others as well.

    – Kevin Keane
    Jan 23 '18 at 1:30











  • It affected me and also impacted others

    – BlueWhale
    Jan 23 '18 at 1:56











  • I downvoted because I don't think there's enough context to determine what the speaker meant. I think this also makes the question Unclear.

    – jpmc26
    Jan 23 '18 at 2:50













  • @Val Avoid answering questions in comments. Post comments here only to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Other types of comment can be posted in the main chatroom or a chatroom created for the purpose.

    – MetaEd
    Jan 24 '18 at 20:51


















6















I once was discussing a personal decision I had made with an acquaintance, and he expressed his disapproval of my decision with the phrase "It's not about you".



As far as I could understand, this phrase somehow means "You're acting selfishly and you don't have the right to do this". But I am having a hard time putting that into the words "it's not about you". On the surface the words are gibberish. Of course a decision I make for myself is "about me". Does the phrase mean "a personal decision that affects you should not concern you"? That also makes little sense.



Of particular concern is the issue that it's impossible to refute without understanding what it is trying to say. So the recipient of such a statement (i.e. me) has no choice but to accept this vague statement of disapproval without objection.



What is the correct way to understand how to parse this statement?










share|improve this question























  • This seems to be more an interpersonal question than an English-language question. Sometimes, people (legitimately or not) disagree on whether a particular issue is about just you, or impacts others as well.

    – Kevin Keane
    Jan 23 '18 at 1:30











  • It affected me and also impacted others

    – BlueWhale
    Jan 23 '18 at 1:56











  • I downvoted because I don't think there's enough context to determine what the speaker meant. I think this also makes the question Unclear.

    – jpmc26
    Jan 23 '18 at 2:50













  • @Val Avoid answering questions in comments. Post comments here only to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Other types of comment can be posted in the main chatroom or a chatroom created for the purpose.

    – MetaEd
    Jan 24 '18 at 20:51














6












6








6








I once was discussing a personal decision I had made with an acquaintance, and he expressed his disapproval of my decision with the phrase "It's not about you".



As far as I could understand, this phrase somehow means "You're acting selfishly and you don't have the right to do this". But I am having a hard time putting that into the words "it's not about you". On the surface the words are gibberish. Of course a decision I make for myself is "about me". Does the phrase mean "a personal decision that affects you should not concern you"? That also makes little sense.



Of particular concern is the issue that it's impossible to refute without understanding what it is trying to say. So the recipient of such a statement (i.e. me) has no choice but to accept this vague statement of disapproval without objection.



What is the correct way to understand how to parse this statement?










share|improve this question














I once was discussing a personal decision I had made with an acquaintance, and he expressed his disapproval of my decision with the phrase "It's not about you".



As far as I could understand, this phrase somehow means "You're acting selfishly and you don't have the right to do this". But I am having a hard time putting that into the words "it's not about you". On the surface the words are gibberish. Of course a decision I make for myself is "about me". Does the phrase mean "a personal decision that affects you should not concern you"? That also makes little sense.



Of particular concern is the issue that it's impossible to refute without understanding what it is trying to say. So the recipient of such a statement (i.e. me) has no choice but to accept this vague statement of disapproval without objection.



What is the correct way to understand how to parse this statement?







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asked Jan 22 '18 at 18:42









BlueWhaleBlueWhale

5341514




5341514













  • This seems to be more an interpersonal question than an English-language question. Sometimes, people (legitimately or not) disagree on whether a particular issue is about just you, or impacts others as well.

    – Kevin Keane
    Jan 23 '18 at 1:30











  • It affected me and also impacted others

    – BlueWhale
    Jan 23 '18 at 1:56











  • I downvoted because I don't think there's enough context to determine what the speaker meant. I think this also makes the question Unclear.

    – jpmc26
    Jan 23 '18 at 2:50













  • @Val Avoid answering questions in comments. Post comments here only to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Other types of comment can be posted in the main chatroom or a chatroom created for the purpose.

    – MetaEd
    Jan 24 '18 at 20:51



















  • This seems to be more an interpersonal question than an English-language question. Sometimes, people (legitimately or not) disagree on whether a particular issue is about just you, or impacts others as well.

    – Kevin Keane
    Jan 23 '18 at 1:30











  • It affected me and also impacted others

    – BlueWhale
    Jan 23 '18 at 1:56











  • I downvoted because I don't think there's enough context to determine what the speaker meant. I think this also makes the question Unclear.

    – jpmc26
    Jan 23 '18 at 2:50













  • @Val Avoid answering questions in comments. Post comments here only to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Other types of comment can be posted in the main chatroom or a chatroom created for the purpose.

    – MetaEd
    Jan 24 '18 at 20:51

















This seems to be more an interpersonal question than an English-language question. Sometimes, people (legitimately or not) disagree on whether a particular issue is about just you, or impacts others as well.

– Kevin Keane
Jan 23 '18 at 1:30





This seems to be more an interpersonal question than an English-language question. Sometimes, people (legitimately or not) disagree on whether a particular issue is about just you, or impacts others as well.

– Kevin Keane
Jan 23 '18 at 1:30













It affected me and also impacted others

– BlueWhale
Jan 23 '18 at 1:56





It affected me and also impacted others

– BlueWhale
Jan 23 '18 at 1:56













I downvoted because I don't think there's enough context to determine what the speaker meant. I think this also makes the question Unclear.

– jpmc26
Jan 23 '18 at 2:50







I downvoted because I don't think there's enough context to determine what the speaker meant. I think this also makes the question Unclear.

– jpmc26
Jan 23 '18 at 2:50















@Val Avoid answering questions in comments. Post comments here only to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Other types of comment can be posted in the main chatroom or a chatroom created for the purpose.

– MetaEd
Jan 24 '18 at 20:51





@Val Avoid answering questions in comments. Post comments here only to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Other types of comment can be posted in the main chatroom or a chatroom created for the purpose.

– MetaEd
Jan 24 '18 at 20:51










4 Answers
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6














Your understanding is correct (about the general tone of the phrase).



The parsing is indeed a little harder, but boils down to something like the narrative of this situation is not (just) about you”. Whether that means not about you at all or not just about you is vague.






share|improve this answer































    5














    'It's not about you' only states that the matter does not include oneself. But that does not exclude oneself from having the right to comment upon it, or to take action about it.



    If somebody threatens my neighbour with a knife, it is not about me for I am neither doing the threatening nor am I being threatened. But it is my right - and, indeed, my duty - to inform the Police, go to the aid of the victim or do whatever else is appropriate.



    Grammatically, 'it' is the subject of the sentence and 'you' is the indirect object. The sentence makes it clear that 'you' is neither the direct object nor even the indirect object of the matter in hand. It is the prepositional object as made clear by @Janus Bahs Jacquet in comment.



    But this does not, necessarily, exclude me altogether.



    It may not be 'about' me. But that does not, necessarily, mean that it does not concern me.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 4





      Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit. The phrase, "It's not about you." is often intended as an admonishment to put other's needs ahead of your own.

      – MikeJRamsey56
      Jan 22 '18 at 20:41






    • 1





      @MikeJRamsey56 Yes, indeed. But it can also be used to exclude one, improperly, from having a say or an input.

      – Nigel J
      Jan 22 '18 at 20:44











    • I am notoriously impervious to such attempts. :-) See,for example It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business.

      – MikeJRamsey56
      Jan 22 '18 at 20:47













    • @MikeJRamsey56 Ah well, you see - this question is not about you :)

      – Nigel J
      Jan 22 '18 at 20:50






    • 3





      Note: The distinction between direct and indirect objects is quite tangled and controversial, but you here would not normally be considered either. It’s the object of the preposition about, which makes it part of a prepositional object, the third type of object traditionally recognised in English.

      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
      Jan 22 '18 at 21:52



















    1














    Putting it coarsely, the issue is about the “you” person being selfish. Here are three examples, ranging from strong to weak to false.



    Strong


    Dad has hurt his back badly. It is a great effort for him to get out of bed to go to the toilet. He could drive a car to save his life, but otherwise it is out of the question.
    His daughter’s weekly ballet lesson starts in half an hour. She rants for ten minutes about how she likes ballet, and how much she needs to go regularly in order to do well. She launches into a speech about how little Dad loves her. Dad replies gently, “It’s not about you.”



    The point here is that, although the ballet is important, Dad has a problem that if far more significant.



    Weak


    A group of friends is going out to celebrate the birthday of one of them. They end up in a restaurant that does not have gluten-free food. One of them comments quietly to another that he is gluten-intolerant (which means that he won’t be able to eat anything). His friend replies, “It is not about you.”



    The idea here is that it is a kind and generous act for the gluten-intolerant guy to not disrupt the celebration.



    False


    Daphne rings up Robert; she wants to see a movie, and wants someone to go with her. Robert apologises; he has an major assignment due in two days. Daphne abuses him for being uncaring and anti-social. “It’s not about you!”, she yells.



    The idea here is that Daphne is just too focused on herself to see that Robert really can not afford to come to the movie.



    ——————



    The point of the expression, “It is not about you.”, is the implication that it is about somebody else (usually the speaker) — that what matters the most is some issue someone else has. As a rule, when someone says this, the “you” person does have a relevant issue; if the objection is correct, the point is that that issue is not as important as the issue the speaker has. Conversely, it can just mean that the “you” person is being selfish. (It is not that surprising if the speaker is actually being selfish (nor if the other party is being selfish and falsely believes that the speaker is being selfish).)



    Note that, in the “weak” example, the idea is not that the issues involved are weak; the “you” person does have a legitimate objection, but the opposing issue — the birthday — is stronger.



    I do not know the right terminology to label what it is that “it” refers to, as a grammatical concept. In everyday terms: it refers to the situation generally, and particularly to the issue that has given rise to the interpersonal conflict of interest [think “argument”].






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      1














      Another explanation is when "It's not about you" is said to someone who is worried, concerned, or puzzled about someone's (negative) words, thoughts and behaviors towards them.
      If a friend of the person who is puzzled or concerned says "it's not about you" to them it means it's the folks who are acting in a negative way have some kind of issue and not the recipient of their actions. has an issue, problem etc.
      So, basically it's a way to let someone know that they're okay and it's the other people who aren't - for whatever reason that might be.






      share|improve this answer








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        4 Answers
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        4 Answers
        4






        active

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        6














        Your understanding is correct (about the general tone of the phrase).



        The parsing is indeed a little harder, but boils down to something like the narrative of this situation is not (just) about you”. Whether that means not about you at all or not just about you is vague.






        share|improve this answer




























          6














          Your understanding is correct (about the general tone of the phrase).



          The parsing is indeed a little harder, but boils down to something like the narrative of this situation is not (just) about you”. Whether that means not about you at all or not just about you is vague.






          share|improve this answer


























            6












            6








            6







            Your understanding is correct (about the general tone of the phrase).



            The parsing is indeed a little harder, but boils down to something like the narrative of this situation is not (just) about you”. Whether that means not about you at all or not just about you is vague.






            share|improve this answer













            Your understanding is correct (about the general tone of the phrase).



            The parsing is indeed a little harder, but boils down to something like the narrative of this situation is not (just) about you”. Whether that means not about you at all or not just about you is vague.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Jan 22 '18 at 19:53









            Will CrawfordWill Crawford

            1,829613




            1,829613

























                5














                'It's not about you' only states that the matter does not include oneself. But that does not exclude oneself from having the right to comment upon it, or to take action about it.



                If somebody threatens my neighbour with a knife, it is not about me for I am neither doing the threatening nor am I being threatened. But it is my right - and, indeed, my duty - to inform the Police, go to the aid of the victim or do whatever else is appropriate.



                Grammatically, 'it' is the subject of the sentence and 'you' is the indirect object. The sentence makes it clear that 'you' is neither the direct object nor even the indirect object of the matter in hand. It is the prepositional object as made clear by @Janus Bahs Jacquet in comment.



                But this does not, necessarily, exclude me altogether.



                It may not be 'about' me. But that does not, necessarily, mean that it does not concern me.






                share|improve this answer





















                • 4





                  Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit. The phrase, "It's not about you." is often intended as an admonishment to put other's needs ahead of your own.

                  – MikeJRamsey56
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:41






                • 1





                  @MikeJRamsey56 Yes, indeed. But it can also be used to exclude one, improperly, from having a say or an input.

                  – Nigel J
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:44











                • I am notoriously impervious to such attempts. :-) See,for example It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business.

                  – MikeJRamsey56
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:47













                • @MikeJRamsey56 Ah well, you see - this question is not about you :)

                  – Nigel J
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:50






                • 3





                  Note: The distinction between direct and indirect objects is quite tangled and controversial, but you here would not normally be considered either. It’s the object of the preposition about, which makes it part of a prepositional object, the third type of object traditionally recognised in English.

                  – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                  Jan 22 '18 at 21:52
















                5














                'It's not about you' only states that the matter does not include oneself. But that does not exclude oneself from having the right to comment upon it, or to take action about it.



                If somebody threatens my neighbour with a knife, it is not about me for I am neither doing the threatening nor am I being threatened. But it is my right - and, indeed, my duty - to inform the Police, go to the aid of the victim or do whatever else is appropriate.



                Grammatically, 'it' is the subject of the sentence and 'you' is the indirect object. The sentence makes it clear that 'you' is neither the direct object nor even the indirect object of the matter in hand. It is the prepositional object as made clear by @Janus Bahs Jacquet in comment.



                But this does not, necessarily, exclude me altogether.



                It may not be 'about' me. But that does not, necessarily, mean that it does not concern me.






                share|improve this answer





















                • 4





                  Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit. The phrase, "It's not about you." is often intended as an admonishment to put other's needs ahead of your own.

                  – MikeJRamsey56
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:41






                • 1





                  @MikeJRamsey56 Yes, indeed. But it can also be used to exclude one, improperly, from having a say or an input.

                  – Nigel J
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:44











                • I am notoriously impervious to such attempts. :-) See,for example It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business.

                  – MikeJRamsey56
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:47













                • @MikeJRamsey56 Ah well, you see - this question is not about you :)

                  – Nigel J
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:50






                • 3





                  Note: The distinction between direct and indirect objects is quite tangled and controversial, but you here would not normally be considered either. It’s the object of the preposition about, which makes it part of a prepositional object, the third type of object traditionally recognised in English.

                  – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                  Jan 22 '18 at 21:52














                5












                5








                5







                'It's not about you' only states that the matter does not include oneself. But that does not exclude oneself from having the right to comment upon it, or to take action about it.



                If somebody threatens my neighbour with a knife, it is not about me for I am neither doing the threatening nor am I being threatened. But it is my right - and, indeed, my duty - to inform the Police, go to the aid of the victim or do whatever else is appropriate.



                Grammatically, 'it' is the subject of the sentence and 'you' is the indirect object. The sentence makes it clear that 'you' is neither the direct object nor even the indirect object of the matter in hand. It is the prepositional object as made clear by @Janus Bahs Jacquet in comment.



                But this does not, necessarily, exclude me altogether.



                It may not be 'about' me. But that does not, necessarily, mean that it does not concern me.






                share|improve this answer















                'It's not about you' only states that the matter does not include oneself. But that does not exclude oneself from having the right to comment upon it, or to take action about it.



                If somebody threatens my neighbour with a knife, it is not about me for I am neither doing the threatening nor am I being threatened. But it is my right - and, indeed, my duty - to inform the Police, go to the aid of the victim or do whatever else is appropriate.



                Grammatically, 'it' is the subject of the sentence and 'you' is the indirect object. The sentence makes it clear that 'you' is neither the direct object nor even the indirect object of the matter in hand. It is the prepositional object as made clear by @Janus Bahs Jacquet in comment.



                But this does not, necessarily, exclude me altogether.



                It may not be 'about' me. But that does not, necessarily, mean that it does not concern me.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited Jan 22 '18 at 22:00

























                answered Jan 22 '18 at 20:31









                Nigel JNigel J

                17.4k94587




                17.4k94587








                • 4





                  Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit. The phrase, "It's not about you." is often intended as an admonishment to put other's needs ahead of your own.

                  – MikeJRamsey56
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:41






                • 1





                  @MikeJRamsey56 Yes, indeed. But it can also be used to exclude one, improperly, from having a say or an input.

                  – Nigel J
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:44











                • I am notoriously impervious to such attempts. :-) See,for example It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business.

                  – MikeJRamsey56
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:47













                • @MikeJRamsey56 Ah well, you see - this question is not about you :)

                  – Nigel J
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:50






                • 3





                  Note: The distinction between direct and indirect objects is quite tangled and controversial, but you here would not normally be considered either. It’s the object of the preposition about, which makes it part of a prepositional object, the third type of object traditionally recognised in English.

                  – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                  Jan 22 '18 at 21:52














                • 4





                  Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit. The phrase, "It's not about you." is often intended as an admonishment to put other's needs ahead of your own.

                  – MikeJRamsey56
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:41






                • 1





                  @MikeJRamsey56 Yes, indeed. But it can also be used to exclude one, improperly, from having a say or an input.

                  – Nigel J
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:44











                • I am notoriously impervious to such attempts. :-) See,for example It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business.

                  – MikeJRamsey56
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:47













                • @MikeJRamsey56 Ah well, you see - this question is not about you :)

                  – Nigel J
                  Jan 22 '18 at 20:50






                • 3





                  Note: The distinction between direct and indirect objects is quite tangled and controversial, but you here would not normally be considered either. It’s the object of the preposition about, which makes it part of a prepositional object, the third type of object traditionally recognised in English.

                  – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                  Jan 22 '18 at 21:52








                4




                4





                Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit. The phrase, "It's not about you." is often intended as an admonishment to put other's needs ahead of your own.

                – MikeJRamsey56
                Jan 22 '18 at 20:41





                Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit. The phrase, "It's not about you." is often intended as an admonishment to put other's needs ahead of your own.

                – MikeJRamsey56
                Jan 22 '18 at 20:41




                1




                1





                @MikeJRamsey56 Yes, indeed. But it can also be used to exclude one, improperly, from having a say or an input.

                – Nigel J
                Jan 22 '18 at 20:44





                @MikeJRamsey56 Yes, indeed. But it can also be used to exclude one, improperly, from having a say or an input.

                – Nigel J
                Jan 22 '18 at 20:44













                I am notoriously impervious to such attempts. :-) See,for example It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business.

                – MikeJRamsey56
                Jan 22 '18 at 20:47







                I am notoriously impervious to such attempts. :-) See,for example It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business.

                – MikeJRamsey56
                Jan 22 '18 at 20:47















                @MikeJRamsey56 Ah well, you see - this question is not about you :)

                – Nigel J
                Jan 22 '18 at 20:50





                @MikeJRamsey56 Ah well, you see - this question is not about you :)

                – Nigel J
                Jan 22 '18 at 20:50




                3




                3





                Note: The distinction between direct and indirect objects is quite tangled and controversial, but you here would not normally be considered either. It’s the object of the preposition about, which makes it part of a prepositional object, the third type of object traditionally recognised in English.

                – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                Jan 22 '18 at 21:52





                Note: The distinction between direct and indirect objects is quite tangled and controversial, but you here would not normally be considered either. It’s the object of the preposition about, which makes it part of a prepositional object, the third type of object traditionally recognised in English.

                – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                Jan 22 '18 at 21:52











                1














                Putting it coarsely, the issue is about the “you” person being selfish. Here are three examples, ranging from strong to weak to false.



                Strong


                Dad has hurt his back badly. It is a great effort for him to get out of bed to go to the toilet. He could drive a car to save his life, but otherwise it is out of the question.
                His daughter’s weekly ballet lesson starts in half an hour. She rants for ten minutes about how she likes ballet, and how much she needs to go regularly in order to do well. She launches into a speech about how little Dad loves her. Dad replies gently, “It’s not about you.”



                The point here is that, although the ballet is important, Dad has a problem that if far more significant.



                Weak


                A group of friends is going out to celebrate the birthday of one of them. They end up in a restaurant that does not have gluten-free food. One of them comments quietly to another that he is gluten-intolerant (which means that he won’t be able to eat anything). His friend replies, “It is not about you.”



                The idea here is that it is a kind and generous act for the gluten-intolerant guy to not disrupt the celebration.



                False


                Daphne rings up Robert; she wants to see a movie, and wants someone to go with her. Robert apologises; he has an major assignment due in two days. Daphne abuses him for being uncaring and anti-social. “It’s not about you!”, she yells.



                The idea here is that Daphne is just too focused on herself to see that Robert really can not afford to come to the movie.



                ——————



                The point of the expression, “It is not about you.”, is the implication that it is about somebody else (usually the speaker) — that what matters the most is some issue someone else has. As a rule, when someone says this, the “you” person does have a relevant issue; if the objection is correct, the point is that that issue is not as important as the issue the speaker has. Conversely, it can just mean that the “you” person is being selfish. (It is not that surprising if the speaker is actually being selfish (nor if the other party is being selfish and falsely believes that the speaker is being selfish).)



                Note that, in the “weak” example, the idea is not that the issues involved are weak; the “you” person does have a legitimate objection, but the opposing issue — the birthday — is stronger.



                I do not know the right terminology to label what it is that “it” refers to, as a grammatical concept. In everyday terms: it refers to the situation generally, and particularly to the issue that has given rise to the interpersonal conflict of interest [think “argument”].






                share|improve this answer




























                  1














                  Putting it coarsely, the issue is about the “you” person being selfish. Here are three examples, ranging from strong to weak to false.



                  Strong


                  Dad has hurt his back badly. It is a great effort for him to get out of bed to go to the toilet. He could drive a car to save his life, but otherwise it is out of the question.
                  His daughter’s weekly ballet lesson starts in half an hour. She rants for ten minutes about how she likes ballet, and how much she needs to go regularly in order to do well. She launches into a speech about how little Dad loves her. Dad replies gently, “It’s not about you.”



                  The point here is that, although the ballet is important, Dad has a problem that if far more significant.



                  Weak


                  A group of friends is going out to celebrate the birthday of one of them. They end up in a restaurant that does not have gluten-free food. One of them comments quietly to another that he is gluten-intolerant (which means that he won’t be able to eat anything). His friend replies, “It is not about you.”



                  The idea here is that it is a kind and generous act for the gluten-intolerant guy to not disrupt the celebration.



                  False


                  Daphne rings up Robert; she wants to see a movie, and wants someone to go with her. Robert apologises; he has an major assignment due in two days. Daphne abuses him for being uncaring and anti-social. “It’s not about you!”, she yells.



                  The idea here is that Daphne is just too focused on herself to see that Robert really can not afford to come to the movie.



                  ——————



                  The point of the expression, “It is not about you.”, is the implication that it is about somebody else (usually the speaker) — that what matters the most is some issue someone else has. As a rule, when someone says this, the “you” person does have a relevant issue; if the objection is correct, the point is that that issue is not as important as the issue the speaker has. Conversely, it can just mean that the “you” person is being selfish. (It is not that surprising if the speaker is actually being selfish (nor if the other party is being selfish and falsely believes that the speaker is being selfish).)



                  Note that, in the “weak” example, the idea is not that the issues involved are weak; the “you” person does have a legitimate objection, but the opposing issue — the birthday — is stronger.



                  I do not know the right terminology to label what it is that “it” refers to, as a grammatical concept. In everyday terms: it refers to the situation generally, and particularly to the issue that has given rise to the interpersonal conflict of interest [think “argument”].






                  share|improve this answer


























                    1












                    1








                    1







                    Putting it coarsely, the issue is about the “you” person being selfish. Here are three examples, ranging from strong to weak to false.



                    Strong


                    Dad has hurt his back badly. It is a great effort for him to get out of bed to go to the toilet. He could drive a car to save his life, but otherwise it is out of the question.
                    His daughter’s weekly ballet lesson starts in half an hour. She rants for ten minutes about how she likes ballet, and how much she needs to go regularly in order to do well. She launches into a speech about how little Dad loves her. Dad replies gently, “It’s not about you.”



                    The point here is that, although the ballet is important, Dad has a problem that if far more significant.



                    Weak


                    A group of friends is going out to celebrate the birthday of one of them. They end up in a restaurant that does not have gluten-free food. One of them comments quietly to another that he is gluten-intolerant (which means that he won’t be able to eat anything). His friend replies, “It is not about you.”



                    The idea here is that it is a kind and generous act for the gluten-intolerant guy to not disrupt the celebration.



                    False


                    Daphne rings up Robert; she wants to see a movie, and wants someone to go with her. Robert apologises; he has an major assignment due in two days. Daphne abuses him for being uncaring and anti-social. “It’s not about you!”, she yells.



                    The idea here is that Daphne is just too focused on herself to see that Robert really can not afford to come to the movie.



                    ——————



                    The point of the expression, “It is not about you.”, is the implication that it is about somebody else (usually the speaker) — that what matters the most is some issue someone else has. As a rule, when someone says this, the “you” person does have a relevant issue; if the objection is correct, the point is that that issue is not as important as the issue the speaker has. Conversely, it can just mean that the “you” person is being selfish. (It is not that surprising if the speaker is actually being selfish (nor if the other party is being selfish and falsely believes that the speaker is being selfish).)



                    Note that, in the “weak” example, the idea is not that the issues involved are weak; the “you” person does have a legitimate objection, but the opposing issue — the birthday — is stronger.



                    I do not know the right terminology to label what it is that “it” refers to, as a grammatical concept. In everyday terms: it refers to the situation generally, and particularly to the issue that has given rise to the interpersonal conflict of interest [think “argument”].






                    share|improve this answer













                    Putting it coarsely, the issue is about the “you” person being selfish. Here are three examples, ranging from strong to weak to false.



                    Strong


                    Dad has hurt his back badly. It is a great effort for him to get out of bed to go to the toilet. He could drive a car to save his life, but otherwise it is out of the question.
                    His daughter’s weekly ballet lesson starts in half an hour. She rants for ten minutes about how she likes ballet, and how much she needs to go regularly in order to do well. She launches into a speech about how little Dad loves her. Dad replies gently, “It’s not about you.”



                    The point here is that, although the ballet is important, Dad has a problem that if far more significant.



                    Weak


                    A group of friends is going out to celebrate the birthday of one of them. They end up in a restaurant that does not have gluten-free food. One of them comments quietly to another that he is gluten-intolerant (which means that he won’t be able to eat anything). His friend replies, “It is not about you.”



                    The idea here is that it is a kind and generous act for the gluten-intolerant guy to not disrupt the celebration.



                    False


                    Daphne rings up Robert; she wants to see a movie, and wants someone to go with her. Robert apologises; he has an major assignment due in two days. Daphne abuses him for being uncaring and anti-social. “It’s not about you!”, she yells.



                    The idea here is that Daphne is just too focused on herself to see that Robert really can not afford to come to the movie.



                    ——————



                    The point of the expression, “It is not about you.”, is the implication that it is about somebody else (usually the speaker) — that what matters the most is some issue someone else has. As a rule, when someone says this, the “you” person does have a relevant issue; if the objection is correct, the point is that that issue is not as important as the issue the speaker has. Conversely, it can just mean that the “you” person is being selfish. (It is not that surprising if the speaker is actually being selfish (nor if the other party is being selfish and falsely believes that the speaker is being selfish).)



                    Note that, in the “weak” example, the idea is not that the issues involved are weak; the “you” person does have a legitimate objection, but the opposing issue — the birthday — is stronger.



                    I do not know the right terminology to label what it is that “it” refers to, as a grammatical concept. In everyday terms: it refers to the situation generally, and particularly to the issue that has given rise to the interpersonal conflict of interest [think “argument”].







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Jan 23 '18 at 4:55









                    CarsogrinCarsogrin

                    481




                    481























                        1














                        Another explanation is when "It's not about you" is said to someone who is worried, concerned, or puzzled about someone's (negative) words, thoughts and behaviors towards them.
                        If a friend of the person who is puzzled or concerned says "it's not about you" to them it means it's the folks who are acting in a negative way have some kind of issue and not the recipient of their actions. has an issue, problem etc.
                        So, basically it's a way to let someone know that they're okay and it's the other people who aren't - for whatever reason that might be.






                        share|improve this answer








                        New contributor




                        Toni123 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                        Check out our Code of Conduct.

























                          1














                          Another explanation is when "It's not about you" is said to someone who is worried, concerned, or puzzled about someone's (negative) words, thoughts and behaviors towards them.
                          If a friend of the person who is puzzled or concerned says "it's not about you" to them it means it's the folks who are acting in a negative way have some kind of issue and not the recipient of their actions. has an issue, problem etc.
                          So, basically it's a way to let someone know that they're okay and it's the other people who aren't - for whatever reason that might be.






                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          Toni123 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.























                            1












                            1








                            1







                            Another explanation is when "It's not about you" is said to someone who is worried, concerned, or puzzled about someone's (negative) words, thoughts and behaviors towards them.
                            If a friend of the person who is puzzled or concerned says "it's not about you" to them it means it's the folks who are acting in a negative way have some kind of issue and not the recipient of their actions. has an issue, problem etc.
                            So, basically it's a way to let someone know that they're okay and it's the other people who aren't - for whatever reason that might be.






                            share|improve this answer








                            New contributor




                            Toni123 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.










                            Another explanation is when "It's not about you" is said to someone who is worried, concerned, or puzzled about someone's (negative) words, thoughts and behaviors towards them.
                            If a friend of the person who is puzzled or concerned says "it's not about you" to them it means it's the folks who are acting in a negative way have some kind of issue and not the recipient of their actions. has an issue, problem etc.
                            So, basically it's a way to let someone know that they're okay and it's the other people who aren't - for whatever reason that might be.







                            share|improve this answer








                            New contributor




                            Toni123 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.









                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer






                            New contributor




                            Toni123 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.









                            answered Apr 1 at 21:48









                            Toni123Toni123

                            111




                            111




                            New contributor




                            Toni123 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.





                            New contributor





                            Toni123 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.






                            Toni123 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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