Why do some people say things like “Would you like the salt and pepper” when they are in fact wanting it
Why do some people say things like "Would you like the salt and pepper" when they are in fact wanting it themselves? Or "would you like to turn on the ABC news" when it's they who want the news on?
I live in Australia, I heard not long ago that certain schools used to teach their pupils this format. But why?!
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asked Dec 21 at 1:04
Stephen Marshall
11
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Why do some people say things like "Would you like the salt and pepper" when they are in fact wanting it themselves? Or "would you like to turn on the ABC news" when it's they who want the news on?
I live in Australia, I heard not long ago that certain schools used to teach their pupils this format. But why?!
questions
asked Dec 21 at 1:04
Stephen Marshall
11
New contributor
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
Can you edit to specify how this is a language question? It seems to me to be more about etiquette.
– Laurel
Dec 21 at 1:12
1
The second one sounds like a way of weasel-wording a request so it doesn't sound like a request. The first one strikes me as nonsense.
– Scott
Dec 21 at 2:30
I suppose the first one is a tactful way of drawing attention to the fact that something is on the table in the hope that someone will offer it to you. In less formal company you could just say "If you're not using the salt and pepper, can you pass them over here?"
– Kate Bunting
Dec 21 at 9:12
add a comment |
Why do some people say things like "Would you like the salt and pepper" when they are in fact wanting it themselves? Or "would you like to turn on the ABC news" when it's they who want the news on?
I live in Australia, I heard not long ago that certain schools used to teach their pupils this format. But why?!
questions
asked Dec 21 at 1:04
Stephen Marshall
11
New contributor
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Why do some people say things like "Would you like the salt and pepper" when they are in fact wanting it themselves? Or "would you like to turn on the ABC news" when it's they who want the news on?
I live in Australia, I heard not long ago that certain schools used to teach their pupils this format. But why?!
questions
questions
asked Dec 21 at 1:04
Stephen Marshall
11
New contributor
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 21 at 1:04
Stephen Marshall
11
New contributor
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 21 at 1:04
Stephen Marshall
11
New contributor
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 21 at 1:04
Stephen Marshall
11
asked Dec 21 at 1:04
Stephen Marshall
11
11
New contributor
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
Can you edit to specify how this is a language question? It seems to me to be more about etiquette.
– Laurel
Dec 21 at 1:12
1
The second one sounds like a way of weasel-wording a request so it doesn't sound like a request. The first one strikes me as nonsense.
– Scott
Dec 21 at 2:30
I suppose the first one is a tactful way of drawing attention to the fact that something is on the table in the hope that someone will offer it to you. In less formal company you could just say "If you're not using the salt and pepper, can you pass them over here?"
– Kate Bunting
Dec 21 at 9:12
add a comment |
2
Can you edit to specify how this is a language question? It seems to me to be more about etiquette.
– Laurel
Dec 21 at 1:12
1
The second one sounds like a way of weasel-wording a request so it doesn't sound like a request. The first one strikes me as nonsense.
– Scott
Dec 21 at 2:30
I suppose the first one is a tactful way of drawing attention to the fact that something is on the table in the hope that someone will offer it to you. In less formal company you could just say "If you're not using the salt and pepper, can you pass them over here?"
– Kate Bunting
Dec 21 at 9:12
2
2
Can you edit to specify how this is a language question? It seems to me to be more about etiquette.
– Laurel
Dec 21 at 1:12
Can you edit to specify how this is a language question? It seems to me to be more about etiquette.
– Laurel
Dec 21 at 1:12
1
1
The second one sounds like a way of weasel-wording a request so it doesn't sound like a request. The first one strikes me as nonsense.
– Scott
Dec 21 at 2:30
The second one sounds like a way of weasel-wording a request so it doesn't sound like a request. The first one strikes me as nonsense.
– Scott
Dec 21 at 2:30
I suppose the first one is a tactful way of drawing attention to the fact that something is on the table in the hope that someone will offer it to you. In less formal company you could just say "If you're not using the salt and pepper, can you pass them over here?"
– Kate Bunting
Dec 21 at 9:12
I suppose the first one is a tactful way of drawing attention to the fact that something is on the table in the hope that someone will offer it to you. In less formal company you could just say "If you're not using the salt and pepper, can you pass them over here?"
– Kate Bunting
Dec 21 at 9:12
add a comment |
1 Answer
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In my experience, I have heard phrases like "Would you care to turn on the AC?" and "Would you care to pass me the salt?", and I believe the phrases "care to" and "like to" have the same meaning but "care to" sounds better and is just a more common phrase.
This phrasing is probably used in order to be polite instead of demanding, as asking if the person doing the service wouldn't mind doing the action is more considerate than directly commanding them. It also could be used when the action being requested isn't extremely important and the person who wants the action done would prefer the other's opinion first.
answered Dec 21 at 9:12
Voctor Borge
163
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1 Answer
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In my experience, I have heard phrases like "Would you care to turn on the AC?" and "Would you care to pass me the salt?", and I believe the phrases "care to" and "like to" have the same meaning but "care to" sounds better and is just a more common phrase.
This phrasing is probably used in order to be polite instead of demanding, as asking if the person doing the service wouldn't mind doing the action is more considerate than directly commanding them. It also could be used when the action being requested isn't extremely important and the person who wants the action done would prefer the other's opinion first.
answered Dec 21 at 9:12
Voctor Borge
163
add a comment |
In my experience, I have heard phrases like "Would you care to turn on the AC?" and "Would you care to pass me the salt?", and I believe the phrases "care to" and "like to" have the same meaning but "care to" sounds better and is just a more common phrase.
This phrasing is probably used in order to be polite instead of demanding, as asking if the person doing the service wouldn't mind doing the action is more considerate than directly commanding them. It also could be used when the action being requested isn't extremely important and the person who wants the action done would prefer the other's opinion first.
answered Dec 21 at 9:12
Voctor Borge
163
add a comment |
In my experience, I have heard phrases like "Would you care to turn on the AC?" and "Would you care to pass me the salt?", and I believe the phrases "care to" and "like to" have the same meaning but "care to" sounds better and is just a more common phrase.
This phrasing is probably used in order to be polite instead of demanding, as asking if the person doing the service wouldn't mind doing the action is more considerate than directly commanding them. It also could be used when the action being requested isn't extremely important and the person who wants the action done would prefer the other's opinion first.
answered Dec 21 at 9:12
Voctor Borge
163
In my experience, I have heard phrases like "Would you care to turn on the AC?" and "Would you care to pass me the salt?", and I believe the phrases "care to" and "like to" have the same meaning but "care to" sounds better and is just a more common phrase.
This phrasing is probably used in order to be polite instead of demanding, as asking if the person doing the service wouldn't mind doing the action is more considerate than directly commanding them. It also could be used when the action being requested isn't extremely important and the person who wants the action done would prefer the other's opinion first.
answered Dec 21 at 9:12
Voctor Borge
163
answered Dec 21 at 9:12
Voctor Borge
163
answered Dec 21 at 9:12
Voctor Borge
163
answered Dec 21 at 9:12
Voctor Borge
163
163
add a comment |
add a comment |
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Stephen Marshall is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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2
Can you edit to specify how this is a language question? It seems to me to be more about etiquette.
– Laurel
Dec 21 at 1:12
1
The second one sounds like a way of weasel-wording a request so it doesn't sound like a request. The first one strikes me as nonsense.
– Scott
Dec 21 at 2:30
I suppose the first one is a tactful way of drawing attention to the fact that something is on the table in the hope that someone will offer it to you. In less formal company you could just say "If you're not using the salt and pepper, can you pass them over here?"
– Kate Bunting
Dec 21 at 9:12