Don't Do Anything That I Wouldn't Do...

[Captain Caveman]

I am trying to work this out.

"Don't do anything that I would not do..." Means to only do the things that I would do... I think!

But what puzzles me is that I started saying that as other people would say it in certain situations, so I copied and said it in general... As it seemed like something to say to try and connect to people as you do... ("As you do" is another saying I sould say...).

Anyway, as I am going off on tangents so I need to reach the point.

When I said "Don't do anything that I wouldn't do" people would reply "That doesn't give me much choice". What exactly does that mean? As even my Mum is confused when we try to work it out and she is a "Words" person, but even she just became confused!

Logically what does it mean? (In simple talk).

 

[tree]

As I understand it, it's mostly a teasing/jokey/light hearted remark.

Don't do anything that I wouldn't do - phrase meaning and origin

don't do anything I wouldn't do - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Don't do anything I wouldn't do


I am familiar with the phrase, but no one I've ever heard use it
in real life said it in a serious tone.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Yes, but trying to work out what the reply means is not easy!

 

[Raggamuffin]

Their reply to you is a put down. As if to suggest you haven't done/experienced much, therefore they don't have many choices if they were to only do things you've done before.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do" implies the person saying it is a bit wild, and they've likely done/tried many things. So it's less of a word of caution, and more like a green light to indulge in some hedonistic behaviour.

Ed

 

[Captain Caveman]

Their reply to you is a put down. As if to suggest you haven't done/experienced much, therefore they don't have many choices if they were to only do things you've done before.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do" implies the person saying it is a bit wild, and they've likely done/tried many things. So it's less of a word of caution, and more like a green light to indulge in some hedonistic behaviour.

Ed

Ah. Makes sense in some ways as I am single.

 

[tree]

Yes, but trying to work out what the reply means is not easy!

"That doesn't leave me much choice" sounds like it's implying
the person either has such strict standards/narrow range of behavior
or it could mean, again jocularly, that the sky's the limit (do virtually whatever
you want)

At any rate, the phrase isn't meant to be taken literally.

 

[1ForAll]

They are basically telling you to avoid the things in life that they avoid, like if it is smoking, drinking, cursing, etc., suggesting that they are a good role model for you to follow. Whether they are using humor, just being light hearted or more serious is irrelevant I feel , as everyone does some things that are harmful and imperfect to themselves and others, that they do not disclose, or that they minimize or think is typical or fine..

So what they say and imply to you when they state such a command or phrase should not be taken seriously, as they may be right or wrong, or be seen as more proper or not, in what they avoid, or in saying what we should avoid, and in what they see as good for you or as acceptable or not, as each situation is different and as we all are different and entitled to our own decisions, unless some incapacitation legally forbids this.

 

[Misty Avich]

I don't really know what it means but I know it's just an expression, a bit like "don't work too hard!" I don't always know what to say in response either, so I just give a little laugh.