An Impersonal Phrase
by Zube, Aug 7, 2002
http://www.stat.colostate.edu/~zube/per.txt

The English Language has its share of annoying or infuriating phrases as
witnessed by the number of written opinions on the topic.  For example, 
Andy Rooney doesn't like "world-class" or "more heat than light."  Snoopy, 
on the other paw, thinks the worst phrase is "Here, Kitty, Kitty."

My award goes to "Don't take this personally."  It's really only half a 
phrase, though.  The other half, which is never spoken, is "... because 
I sure don't."  It's faux kindness of the highest order and what it 
really means is:

"I'm about to wrong you in some manner, verbally or otherwise, but for
some reason I don't want you to think that I'm the callous, unkind, 
shallow and cowardly person I am.  You, as a person, are so insignificant
that not only don't I care about this, but neither should you."

The proper response in most cases is a different phrase: "You go to Hell."

This response may be substituted if time and manner permit: "I take 
things personally because I care.  Perhaps if you cared more, the world
would be a better place and you would be a better person.  And please,
*do* take it personally; it's the only hope we have."