For example, I went to the opticians recently and whilst undergoing my routine exam, he kept saying, "Look to the right for ME, look to the left for ME", etc. Some of my work colleagues use this when they're on the phone to people. They'll say, "Can you spell that for ME? Can you check that for ME? What does all this for ME mean?
2006-11-19 23:56:36 · 18 answers · asked by Say It Like You Mean It 4 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
It sounds a little patronising.
2006-11-20 00:09:13 · update #1
people are lazy????
Could you scratch this for ME?
2006-11-19 23:58:30 · answer #1 · answered by Judy the Wench 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different things really , it depends on who says it and where !
Can u spell that for me.....often said over the phone , means perhaps , that the person cannot understand your accent, or has never heard of the place where you live,so they are trying to ensure , getting your details right.
Can you do that for me, means that I require help , and that I might be disabled, or am not able to do it myself.....or it saves me the problem of doing it for myself !
Look to the right for me, Look to the left for me means , that I need to look at your eyes , in different positions, I can move them for you , by poking you in the eyes , but it is a less painful way , if you do it for me instead !
2006-11-20 08:21:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means thatb people are trying to get the correct informatio so an accurate response can be made. Otherwise a guess (which can be far wide of the required answer) will have to be made. It's a way people have of making sure they understand precisely what the question is.
2006-11-20 08:01:19 · answer #3 · answered by F'Lar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're looking into this "for ME" thing a little to deeply.
"For ME" is said because they are the ones needing the information, assistance, and/or providing the service. They aren't going to ask you to shift your eyes or spell something for someone else.
For example...your optician was providing a service to YOU...HE needed to gather information based on your exam by you moving your eyes in certain ways FOR him-afterall, it's not like he can move your eyes himself..he needed to ask you to do it.
Asking one to verify spelling "for ME" is just to ensure that the one taking the spelling ("ME") is getting it right-they're not going to ask you to spell it for the benefit of someone else.
It's just a saying....
2006-11-20 08:04:47 · answer #4 · answered by secret_oktober_girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're reading too much in to a harmless over use of a word. Hmm that was much easier than spouting something unlikely about a repressed need for positive self reinforcement..
2006-11-20 07:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by Cynical_Si 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its just the way they speak. Yes, they could say 'can you spell that please' or 'could you look to the right please'....... does it really matter?
My ex husband used to annoy me by his over-use of a person's name. If he was on the phone he would say 'O hello Harry. How are you. Oh yes i understand Harry. Good. Well whats going to happen next Harry. Mmm, right ok then Harry well I'll see you at work, Bye Harry. Take care Harry.
It used to drive me flippin' mental!
2006-11-20 08:06:22 · answer #6 · answered by Caroline 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is not lie, sometimes is a politeness but sometimes because all the must be correct things in this country, people do not want to make mistake, check, double check and re-check again. make sure that they are covered themselves, understanably as the pay out to lawyers in this country getting ridiculous.
2006-11-20 08:06:12 · answer #7 · answered by Lilu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is just about politeness I think! When you say "for me" it sounds more personal and thus more polite. Think about it, "can you spell that" compared to "can you spell that for me": The former sounds more inpersonal and unpolite. Well that's what I think anyway.
2006-11-20 13:37:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because their the one asking the question that THEY want the answer for. So if you were asking someone for some information you would be asking for you.
Its really quite obvious!!
2006-11-20 08:00:18 · answer #9 · answered by Nutty Nikki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are using their 'person' as a point of reference...nothing weird going on
2006-11-20 08:03:31 · answer #10 · answered by єЖтяα ¢яιѕρψ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are just making clear who the question is directed to....ME!
2006-11-20 10:08:37 · answer #11 · answered by Brown_Sugar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋