2006-09-13 07:04:52 · 14 answers · asked by sophie 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
It is just a way of phrasing a question.
2006-09-13 07:08:07 · answer #1 · answered by ♥♥Squirrel ♥♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It let's you know they are going to ask you a question so you're prepared.
It's polite and by being polite maybe they think you're more likely to answer.
It's not always the case, but I find that people often use the "Can I ask you something" preface when they are a little uncomfortable with the question they're going to ask.
2006-09-13 07:13:54 · answer #2 · answered by Poopsie-Daisy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're being polite, but wouldn't it be more correct to say 'May I ask something?'...it's pretty obvious that they can ask a question, after all.
2006-09-17 07:00:52 · answer #3 · answered by lauriekins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being polite.
2006-09-16 22:42:16 · answer #4 · answered by gimzet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As previous people responded, it is simply being polite, but also annoying.
Sort of rhetorical..
2006-09-13 22:35:16 · answer #5 · answered by Mushin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is funny. I always smile when Americans say 'I have a question....' I feel like saying 'Well why don't you ask it then?'
2006-09-13 07:20:53 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah it is! but its a way of feeling the water to see how receptive you are to answer and giving you the chance to say no i don't feel confortable.
2006-09-13 10:23:51 · answer #7 · answered by fio 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are being polite.
2006-09-13 07:08:36 · answer #8 · answered by Plamena 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These questions of yours, did u just smoke b4 hand?
2006-09-13 07:12:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
true, my wife said to me the other can i be frank; and i said why would you want to be frank you a woman???
2006-09-17 04:55:39 · answer #10 · answered by xvx_aceman_xvx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋