Where did this 'reach out' crap come from?

[jaF0]

Damned near everywhere now, I see this 'reach out' junk. Nobody uses contact or call or talk to or make contact with, or anything else. It's become a festering canker sore on the lip of society and makes me want to reach out and punch someone.

Before the last couple of years, the only place I ever recall seeing it was in the 1970s Bell Telephone ads begging people to make long distance calls.

https://i1.wp.com/lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mMyDizeT_I8/TTZPwz9m9qI/AAAAAAAA3IY/BQI-3dLACnM/s400/image2.jpg?ssl=1 https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/fWoAAOSwjJpfOvi-/s-l300.jpg https://www.vintage-adventures.com/5874/1980-bell-system-ad-reach-out.jpg



MAKE IT STOP!!!!!

 

[TadOverdon]

Already obsolete. The new ad catchphrase is "Get back out there!"

 

[AngstIgnored]

Already obsolete. The new ad catchphrase is "Get back out there!"

Well, the Four Tops recorded Reach Out (aka I'll Be There) in 1967, so it's been around a while. Plus, it's been covered dozens of times.

 

[KeithD]

This is the first reference to "reach out" I've seen.

 

[Blind_Justice]

The only thing with "reach out" which comes to mind is "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode.

Here, have that stuck in your head for the rest of today: https://youtu.be/u1xrNaTO1bI

 

[jaF0]

I see it all the damned time now. Just sent an email to a company via their web form and got 'Thanks for reaching out to us about ... '

 

[ElectricBlue]

It's a cringe for me too. "Thanks for reaching out." WTF? I didn't "reach out" - that makes me sound like a helpless toddler - I got in contact with you, or "I asked you a direct fucking question, ffs."

It's all part of the zombie apocalypse, all these feeble corporate weenies coming at me with pleading expressions and grasping, stretched out hands. "Please like me, Mister Man, because I'm desperately reaching out for you." Fuck off, do your job, and answer my bloody question. And put the fucking call centre in the same country, will you? I'm looking at you [insert big corporate name here].

 

[NaomiDPlumm]

The first time I heard it (as New York City vernacular) was the TV show NYPD Blue (1993-2005).

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I think I recall it from Dilbert, but it's the sort of touchy-feely corporate phrase that's always derided as an Americanism here. I've always wondered where Americans blame such phrases on - California, perhaps? (See also definitions of Yankee and where Irish people tell jokes about)

 

[lovecraft68]

 

[LAHomedog]

Acceptable corporate speak rolls around the globe nurtured by business schools and marketing companies, or branding/image think tanks that the company pays a fortune to.

The one that drives me the most crazy is going into a store -- like Staples, or Bed, Bath & Beyond -- and they say, "Next guest please." I'm not a guest, I'm a customer. Guests will be at my wife's birthday party tonight. When I'm buying something I'm a customer.

 

[SimonDoom]

I know my mind goes places it shouldn't and I can be cynical and dark, but when I see ads of middle-aged men in clown and bunny costumes and the caption "Reach out and touch someone" my initial thought is, "Stay the hell away from my kids, mister."

 

[jaF0]

The creep factor of the phrase is why I picked those out of the many I found.

 

[SimonDoom]

The creep factor of the phrase is why I picked those out of the many I found.

You're a twisted person.

I like it.

 

[colddiesel]

It's conversational 'wallpaper,' like 'have a nice day.' These and similar, all require complete insincerity of expression.

 

[KimGordon67]

'Reach out' is pretty much my current top linguistic hate. I don't think it sounds creepy as much as it makes the person who is 'reaching out' seem like they need support or something. And it makes the act of human contact seem like a favour that you're asking for.

Basically, it sucks, and I'll be glad when it goes away.

 

[LAHomedog]

Maybe we should all write a "reach out" story together. A round robin. I don't know how to do that within the Lit rules, or if anybody on AH has gone in together, but I think it would be big fun.

If folks want to do it, I have some candidates to start based off of their talent and writing, but even though I am the lesser, if it would kick start the idea, I'd volunteer. (Even though I can think of others who would be a better springboard.

Whatcha think?

One approach of 100s:

"I was sitting in my cubical suffering through the fifth hour of my eight hour minimum wage job listening to complaints about my employer's product. Most understandable since what we manufactured and sold was crap, but my job was to placate on the phone and I got $11 an hour to do that. Plus, I could study for my exams while I did it.

"Hi. Thank you for reaching out..."

 

[jaF0]

Well, the Four Tops recorded Reach Out (aka I'll Be There) in 1967, so it's been around a while. Plus, it's been covered dozens of times.

Plays during the closing scene of 'Cooley High' where Preach is leaving the cemetery.

 

[TxRad]

Ma Bell wasn't the place where I first heard "Reach Out and Touch Someone." It was sniper's school. But I think there was a little difference in translation.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Ma Bell wasn't the place where I first heard "Reach Out and Touch Someone." It was sniper's school. But I think there was a little difference in translation.

Yep. I think every instructor used that phrase. Of course, they didn't mean in a nice way. And usually the person was more than 600-700 yards away, a little close than Ma Bell was thinking.

And it been a long time since I've heard that one.

 

[AngstIgnored]

I want to point out that because of reading this thread yesterday, suddenly I'm now thinking about it and seeing and hearing it everywhere. Was sitting on the couch last night watching TV with my wife and more than one commercial appeared with "reach out" in it somewhere. Thanks to the OP, it's now an earworm that won't go away.

 

[jaF0]

See what I mean Verne?

I read on the site it takes 48 hours to have the edited story put up but it's been 7 days. I have reached out per their instructions but haven't received a response. Is there a problem with the site right now?

https://smileypete.com/downloads/485/download/ernestTOP.jpg?cb=4b122396341dd3be993ecba0eed98c4a


....

 

[rackofdawn]

I saw your post about reaching out and decided to reach out to you.

Just a quick note to reach out to you.

I agree. The term reach out is over used and sounds creepy.

So, I just thought I would reach out and share my feelings with you.

Dawn

 

[JaxRhapsody]

I'm not familiar with the term, other than Personal Jesus.

 

[jaF0]

"Your financial institution determines this. Please reach out to your bank or credit union directly to find out what specific limits they have for their customers."

https://www.zellepay.com/support/im-small-business-using-zelle



&^%$&*^%*()&^&)(*}_)(+_()(%$##!!!!!!!!