OK then.
It’s your birthday, and a friend asks you if there’s anything you would particularly like for the occasion and you reply, “Oh, you don’t have to get me anything.”
That seems like a fairly straightforward conversation to me. Brief. To the point. Just how I like them.
The the night of your birthday ensues and you don’t, as requested, get a present from said friend, do you:
- Think to yourself, “Our friendship isn’t about material goods, it matters not a single jot”.
- Think think to yourself, “Oh well, I suppose I did say not to get me anything, never mind”.
or do you:
- Bitch and moan to all of your joint friends, “Why would he do that! I didn’t mean to get me NOTHING, did you know that he really didn’t get me anything? Nothing at all!”
We are in an enviable position that the English language enables people to articulate their intended meaning through the use of the many words that are available to them. Unless of course you’re using one of those speak’n'Spell computers like that Stephen Hawkins fella, one small typo there and you’re getting a nice cold beer instead of the help you need in escaping a bear. An expensive mistake, and one the Professor should be weary of when he next finds himself in a Bar in the American Rockies. The reverse could also cause unecessary panic amongs the Bars patrons.
Anyway, I think the the words, “Oh, you don’t need to get me anything” when strung together in a coherent sentence are pretty damn clear. I don’t see any ambiguity here. Do you?
If what you mean is, “Oh, I’m far too polite to ask for something, but please use your imagination and buy me something really nice”, then say it. The words are available to you. Free of charge too.
I am not a psychic. I do not read minds. If you want to convey something to me, then use the actual words that convey the required sentiment.
I do not “read between the lines”, I do not “know what you really meant”, and I certainly don’t believe it’s “just one of those things that people say”.
When she asks me what I’d like for my birthday next January, I will have my answer ready, it will be both clear and unambiguous. “I’d like an xBox 360 or PSP, and at least three games, one of which must be sports (not of the American variety) and one must be a driving simulation”
I’m a very easy guy to shop for.
No tags
US · March 21, 2006 at 10:18 am
I think you need to go here.
Admin comment by Mr Angry · March 21, 2006 at 10:21 am
US – thanks, I clearly have a lot learn…
NF Girl · March 21, 2006 at 10:23 am
Mr Angry…
*shakes head*
I suppose you believe a woman also when she says “I’m FINE.”
Admin comment by Mr Angry · March 21, 2006 at 10:26 am
NF – I don’t speak “woman”, what can I say? The required words are there, why not use them?
NF Girl · March 21, 2006 at 11:25 am
Mr A, it is much more fun to fuck with your head.
I would have thought that was obvious.
NRG · March 22, 2006 at 1:27 am
At least you asked, how ungrateful can you get…
oh, and women are worse: its my birthday tomorrow (well, technically i suppose its today now) and my flatmate had so completely forgotten she had to ask “whats that card for?” when I opened the package my mom had sent me.
Admin comment by Mr Angry · March 22, 2006 at 9:06 am
NRG – welcome, completely agree. You don’t ask, you don’t get.