There is little worse than having a conversation with a stranger or, situation forbid, a person you care about and hearing them utter the phrase "I'm not racist but..." or "I'm not homophobic but..." or "I don't mean to sound misogynist but..."

Similarly, when someone taps you on the shoulder and says "I don't mean to be rude, but.."

They are going to be.

For this week's prompt, come up with a conversation starter that will result in something positive. 

Try opening an imaginary conversation with "I don't mean to be polite but..." and then continuing on in a way that isn't condescending, sarcastic, or otherwise problematic. Maybe let the "I don't mean to be tolerant" be silent and assumed as you begin a conversation to build someone's self-esteem or empower them, but without being, you know, self-aggrandizing. Unless you're going for humor, then be as self- flagellating as you can.