“If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times,” the implication is, “You’re pretty dumb, and your neurons work sluggishly.” Such implied messages are put-downs, the kind of messages that would make us fighting mad if they were said to us by a supervisor or a coworker. We can lace these messages with as much syrup as the human voice is capable of carrying — “Now, honey, you’re not going without your coat today, are you?” — but the implied message still shines through; namely, “You’re not smart enough to know whether or not your own body is hot or cold.” The ultimate implied message says, “I’m bigger than you are. I’m more powerful than you are. I have more authority, and I can make you do things.”