i've started saying "great question" before answering my own coworkers

caught myself doing it in standup yesterday. someone asked when the migration lands and before i even thought about it i went "great question" and paused like i needed to gather context. other ones ive picked up: starting replies with "you're absolutely right" even when theyre not sarcastically saying "let me make sure i understand" before literally anything ending texts with a follow up question i dont actually want answered my partner says i hedge everything now. i'll state a fact and then add "though it