Dislike Quote by Katherine Owen
““The psyche questionnaire asks me to list the things I dislike. Why don’t they just use the word, hate? Why is everyone so afraid to admit they hate something? I write Advil, and then add Athens, Afghanistan and the U.S. Army. “In conclusion, I hate a lot of things that begin with the letter A,” I write in the space provided.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “The Psyche Questionnaire”, 2021
The author critiques how people avoid using the word “hate,” preferring softer language, revealing discomfort with strong negative emotions.
In simple terms: People avoid saying “hate” and use milder terms.
Acknowledge true feelings instead of softening them.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- surveys
- writing exercises
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we soften negative emotions?
- How does labeling hate affect self‑perception?
Some may argue that “hate” is too harsh for constructive discourse.