OT – commands prepended with “please”

[scaredyclassic]

But “pretty please” is universally regarded as excessive

[desmond]

[quote=CA renter]
Like Russ said, though, if the thing being requested is something that only benefits the requestor, it would be best if he/she said, “Would you mind doing XXX, please?” That would be better. :)[/quote]

Did you get the XXX from your neigbor?

[desmond]

[quote=CA renter]
Like Russ said, though, if the thing being requested is something that only benefits the requestor, it would be best if he/she said, “Would you mind doing XXX, please?” That would be better. :)[/quote]

Did you get the XXX from your neigbor?

[desmond]

[quote=CA renter]
Like Russ said, though, if the thing being requested is something that only benefits the requestor, it would be best if he/she said, “Would you mind doing XXX, please?” That would be better. :)[/quote]

Did you get the XXX from your neigbor?

[desmond]

[quote=CA renter]
Like Russ said, though, if the thing being requested is something that only benefits the requestor, it would be best if he/she said, “Would you mind doing XXX, please?” That would be better. :)[/quote]

Did you get the XXX from your neigbor?

[desmond]

[quote=CA renter]
Like Russ said, though, if the thing being requested is something that only benefits the requestor, it would be best if he/she said, “Would you mind doing XXX, please?” That would be better. :)[/quote]

Did you get the XXX from your neigbor?

[sdduuuude]

[quote=Rich Toscano][quote=sdduuuude]I think the use of please is acceptable even when giving a command. It says “yes, I’m the boss, but I’m not an asshole.” I guess, some people put a “please” in a command to be facetious, but I think most of the time it is done in good faith and takes the edge off the command.[/quote]

OK, I think I wasn’t clear in my original question. I agree that saying “please” takes the edge off a command, and of course, it’s perfectly fine to throw it in there. My question is more along the lines of whether saying “please” converts it from a command to a request.
[/quote]

I don’t think so. I think the chain of authority determines whether it is a command or a request.

Sounds like the question is – is it rude to make a request in the form of a command. Perhaps it is.

[sdduuuude]

[quote=Rich Toscano][quote=sdduuuude]I think the use of please is acceptable even when giving a command. It says “yes, I’m the boss, but I’m not an asshole.” I guess, some people put a “please” in a command to be facetious, but I think most of the time it is done in good faith and takes the edge off the command.[/quote]

OK, I think I wasn’t clear in my original question. I agree that saying “please” takes the edge off a command, and of course, it’s perfectly fine to throw it in there. My question is more along the lines of whether saying “please” converts it from a command to a request.
[/quote]

I don’t think so. I think the chain of authority determines whether it is a command or a request.

Sounds like the question is – is it rude to make a request in the form of a command. Perhaps it is.

[sdduuuude]

[quote=Rich Toscano][quote=sdduuuude]I think the use of please is acceptable even when giving a command. It says “yes, I’m the boss, but I’m not an asshole.” I guess, some people put a “please” in a command to be facetious, but I think most of the time it is done in good faith and takes the edge off the command.[/quote]

OK, I think I wasn’t clear in my original question. I agree that saying “please” takes the edge off a command, and of course, it’s perfectly fine to throw it in there. My question is more along the lines of whether saying “please” converts it from a command to a request.
[/quote]

I don’t think so. I think the chain of authority determines whether it is a command or a request.

Sounds like the question is – is it rude to make a request in the form of a command. Perhaps it is.

[sdduuuude]

[quote=Rich Toscano][quote=sdduuuude]I think the use of please is acceptable even when giving a command. It says “yes, I’m the boss, but I’m not an asshole.” I guess, some people put a “please” in a command to be facetious, but I think most of the time it is done in good faith and takes the edge off the command.[/quote]

OK, I think I wasn’t clear in my original question. I agree that saying “please” takes the edge off a command, and of course, it’s perfectly fine to throw it in there. My question is more along the lines of whether saying “please” converts it from a command to a request.
[/quote]

I don’t think so. I think the chain of authority determines whether it is a command or a request.

Sounds like the question is – is it rude to make a request in the form of a command. Perhaps it is.

[sdduuuude]

[quote=Rich Toscano][quote=sdduuuude]I think the use of please is acceptable even when giving a command. It says “yes, I’m the boss, but I’m not an asshole.” I guess, some people put a “please” in a command to be facetious, but I think most of the time it is done in good faith and takes the edge off the command.[/quote]

OK, I think I wasn’t clear in my original question. I agree that saying “please” takes the edge off a command, and of course, it’s perfectly fine to throw it in there. My question is more along the lines of whether saying “please” converts it from a command to a request.
[/quote]

I don’t think so. I think the chain of authority determines whether it is a command or a request.

Sounds like the question is – is it rude to make a request in the form of a command. Perhaps it is.

[Hatfield]

Some foreign language guide that I had suggested starting questions with “please.” The logic being: even though you have limited facility with the language and you’re probably mangling the grammar, “Please, where is the bus station?” is going to sound better than “Where is the bus station?”

[Hatfield]

Some foreign language guide that I had suggested starting questions with “please.” The logic being: even though you have limited facility with the language and you’re probably mangling the grammar, “Please, where is the bus station?” is going to sound better than “Where is the bus station?”

[Hatfield]

Some foreign language guide that I had suggested starting questions with “please.” The logic being: even though you have limited facility with the language and you’re probably mangling the grammar, “Please, where is the bus station?” is going to sound better than “Where is the bus station?”

[Hatfield]

Some foreign language guide that I had suggested starting questions with “please.” The logic being: even though you have limited facility with the language and you’re probably mangling the grammar, “Please, where is the bus station?” is going to sound better than “Where is the bus station?”

[Author]

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