A theory of the modern exclamation point!

Re:A theory of the modern exclamation point! by Cthulhu_ on Wednesday January 10, 2024 @04:44PM (#38943665)

Your quote is one already; instead of saying "Give me an example or two", you don't even ask, you instead posit a problem, a thing you would like, without asking anyone in specific. It's indirect communication, and sometimes people get upset if their indirect question or their positing of a problem isn't responded with a "Here you go!".

If you want something, go and find it. If you want someone else to provide it for you, ask. Or tell. But don't posit a problem and expect someone to fix it for you.

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Re:A theory of the modern exclamation point! by wuiheerfoj on Wednesday January 10, 2024 @08:00PM (#38945980)

‘forgive me that I’m not fully understanding what you mean - but could you possibly give me an example or two to kick my brain into gear?’

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Re:A theory of the modern exclamation point! by floxy on Wednesday January 10, 2024 @09:34PM (#38946725)

Let me assure you, mealy-mouthed or saccharine phrases are not required for English.

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Re:A theory of the modern exclamation point! by trealira on Wednesday January 10, 2024 @05:31PM (#38944351)

It's interesting for me to have this pointed out. I've read posts from English speakers trying to learn Japanese complain about Japanese culture being very indirect and subtle, but the same complaint can be applied to our own culture.

As a teenager, I stayed in Spain for a month living with a host couple, and I remember the wife telling me that I said "por favor" too much (like asking "could you please pass the salt?" at dinner) asked for things too much, and generally acted overly polite. For example, it's apparently more common in Spain to order food at restaurants like "Give me a coffee (please)" and not "I would like a coffee, please". All this was in Spanish; I'm just translating what we said into English.

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