If so why do you think it is a negative word? What otherwords could we use instead?
2006-10-23 06:48:50 · 6 answers · asked by jrealitytv 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It is a negative word because the word "not" is in it. The word is meant to stop someone from doing something. Another word you could use is stop.
2006-10-23 06:57:30 · answer #1 · answered by writer_law 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's sort of a new line of thinking that says we should try to phrase things in a more "positive" way. It's sort of silly, but makes a little sense if you think about it.
This is what people mean:
Instead of saying "Don't run with scissors," say "walk carefully with scissors."
Instead of "I don't know," say "I know how we can figure it out."
It's not that "don't" is always considered to be "bad." It's just that most of the time, we can rephrase without using that word, and it usually sounds nicer.
2006-10-23 14:13:27 · answer #2 · answered by Heidi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how it is used, but "don't" is not inherently negative. Examples:
Don't discriminate against others.
Don't miss this upcoming sale!
Don't remain silent when someone is being assaulted.
Of course, these could all be worded in other ways, which I guess would be more "positive" in your logic -
"Treat everyone equally and give them equal rights.
Go to this upcoming sale!
Speak up when someone is being assaulted."
but they just don't pack the same punch this way. :o)
2006-10-23 13:56:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes Don't can serve as negative word,because it always serve as order or command, it's not appealing especialy to elderly people in verbal communication,paraticularly Africa
The words ;you may could be used.
2006-10-23 14:25:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Thou shan't" is polite albeit a little archaic.
Or here's a good example from a four-language sign I saw in Belgium once...asking folks not to pee on the lawn:
In German: "Do Not Urinate"
In French: "Those who love nature will refrain from soiling the flowers."
In English: "Commit No Nuisance."
In Dutch: "No Urinating."
2006-10-23 13:56:44 · answer #5 · answered by 4999_Basque 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't is the contraction Do Not and while not inherently negative, it is a command. Maybe a softer request would be "Please Respect the environment " instead of Do Not Litter, etc.
2006-10-23 14:05:31 · answer #6 · answered by davidosterberg1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋