The other day I noticed just how often I used "real quick" as a suffix to my sentences.
If I'm with someone and I have to leave them to use the bathroom, I say "I just have to pee real quick." If I'm stepping outisde the apartment to go to the store, I say "I'm just gonna go to the store real quick." If I'm running errands, I'll say "I'm gonna pick up the laundry real quick" or "I have to drop this off real quick" or "I need to use the ATM real quick."
What the hell? Why do I do this?
Maybe it's a need to assure people that while I may have to go, I'll be back before they have time to miss me or need me. Or maybe I have some deep-seated existential fear that I'll be completely forgotten in the time it takes to buy some stamps, so I better buy stamps real quick. I don't want to abruptly interrupt my social flow with any person, so I want to reassure them, and myself, that my absence will be as temporary as I can make it.
I also do it when I ask for things. "Can I see this real quick?" "Can I borrow this real quick?" "Could you do this real quick?" I suppose because it's easier to get what you want when you can convince someone that it will not be either long-term or time-consuming. If someone says "Can I borrow your scissors real quick," you hand them over without really thinking. But if someone just says "Can I borrow your scissors?" what you actually hear is "Can I borrow your scissors indefinately?" and you instinctively hesitate.
Of course, I only add "real quick" when I'm doing trivial things. I never say things like "I'm having dinner with an old friend real quick" or "I'm going to see the doctor real quick" or "I'm attending this wedding real quick." It's only when I'm doing the menial stuff of life that I feel the need to announce that I will be speedy about my business. Almost like I'm apologetic that there are actually things I need to do.
I'm going to try to cut down on this habit, if I can. It's so subconciously ingrained that I don't even notice it, but maybe once in a while I can break free from the pattern and say something like "I'm just gonna pee, and I'm gonna take as long as I need."