5 ms·

I spent some time in Puerto Rico and found that the third person reflexive is commonly used this way as a sort of passive voice. For example, a "for sale" sign

by cgs1019 16y ago

I spent some time in Puerto Rico and found that the third person reflexive is commonly used this way as a sort of passive voice. For example, a "for sale" sign will read "se vende" (loosely, "it is sold" moreso than "it sells itself"). Having worked in the service industry (restaurants, specifically) for many years, I have an inclination to avoid "no problem" as it may be construed that whatever isn't a problem might have been. I generally opt for "my pleasure," "anytime," "sure thing," etc. when I am interfacing with someone for whom I provide a service.

Mz 16y ago
You know, I'm sort of a hippie-tree-hugger, make-love-not-war kind of personality and I find that when I say things like "my pleasure" or "anytime", it makes some of my social problems worse. Those are the types of phrases I am inclined to use, but for some reason it just makes people feel like I owe them, they can impose, I am never allowed to make a mistake or have a bad day or not be able to give 1000% or...something. I have never been able to quite put my finger on the cause of these strong emotional reactions I get from quite a lot of people where total strangers seem to think I am supposed to love them, to the ends of the earth. But I have found I need to actively tone down my tendency to be warm, effusive, emotionally generous and the like. It just causes me too many problems. At the moment, much of the time when I am being thanked, it is for disseminating information at work -- tips and tricks that make my job easier. This is supposed to be part of the culture and something we are all encouraged to do. But I get these gushy responses that I think are just not work appropriate. I have found that a low key "no problem" seems to be the lesser evil of my available options. (Not replying seems to make people feel incredibly, phenomenally rejected by me.)
- chronomex 16y ago
  I usually say "my pleasure"; when that doesn't work for me I go with a simple "certainly". It has the feel of "that's my job and I'm doing it" to me.
  - Mz 16y ago
    I think one of the issues at work is that I have an entry level job and a great deal more formal education than my coworkers and both my immediate bosses (though one of them is actively pursuing more education, and that seems to help reduce my problems). So a lot of my tips and tricks are dramatically better answers. It causes problems. I try to deflect the uptick in perceived social status. I don't make any more money than these other people or have any more authority. It's important that I get treated as their equal. I will have to keep "certainly" in mind and see if I can't find a good way to use that.

by cgs1019 16y ago

Mz 16y ago

You know, I'm sort of a hippie-tree-hugger, make-love-not-war kind of personality and I find that when I say things like "my pleasure" or "anytime", it makes some of my social problems worse. Those are the types of phrases I am inclined to use, but for some reason it just makes people feel like I owe them, they can impose, I am never allowed to make a mistake or have a bad day or not be able to give 1000% or...something. I have never been able to quite put my finger on the cause of these strong emotional reactions I get from quite a lot of people where total strangers seem to think I am supposed to love them, to the ends of the earth. But I have found I need to actively tone down my tendency to be warm, effusive, emotionally generous and the like. It just causes me too many problems. At the moment, much of the time when I am being thanked, it is for disseminating information at work -- tips and tricks that make my job easier. This is supposed to be part of the culture and something we are all encouraged to do. But I get these gushy responses that I think are just not work appropriate. I have found that a low key "no problem" seems to be the lesser evil of my available options. (Not replying seems to make people feel incredibly, phenomenally rejected by me.)

chronomex 16y ago
I usually say "my pleasure"; when that doesn't work for me I go with a simple "certainly". It has the feel of "that's my job and I'm doing it" to me.
- Mz 16y ago
  I think one of the issues at work is that I have an entry level job and a great deal more formal education than my coworkers and both my immediate bosses (though one of them is actively pursuing more education, and that seems to help reduce my problems). So a lot of my tips and tricks are dramatically better answers. It causes problems. I try to deflect the uptick in perceived social status. I don't make any more money than these other people or have any more authority. It's important that I get treated as their equal. I will have to keep "certainly" in mind and see if I can't find a good way to use that.