Pat Answers

A pat answer is a statement that has been used many times and is not sincere. One woman I work with should be named "Queen Pat". When someone is sick or has a problem, she texts incessantly until she knows what is going on. Once she is filled in and has enough information to satisfy her curiosity, the texts stop. When she sees someone who has a problem in person, she comforts them with her "pat" answers. "So sorry" or "sorry to hear" are her two favorites. Pat answers are almost insulting. It would be better to say nothing.