Disguised requests - What they really mean

Disguised requests are questions people ask to gently suggest that another person should do something.

Olivia says "Is it 10 o'clock?" but what she means is, "Please go home."

Olivia's had a house party. It's late at night and now she just wants everyone to leave so she can go to bed. She uses disguised requests to let Mark know she wants him to leave. But he doesn't realise.

Watch the video to find out how to identify disguised requests - because English speakers don't always mean what they say.

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#learnenglish #request #spokenenglish

[martymitch]

The question put as example is rude in any country, though 😅 if you need to "get rid" of your guests, according to the Italian etiquette, you might suggest some chamomile tea, especially after dinner. Easy and polite!

[zerounimatrix]

No wonder I've heard that when you want someone to hand over the salt to you at table, you should say something like 'is that salt?' instead of 'could you hand me the salt please'.

[ahmedmameri]

It's clear, thank you very much.

[TuanNguyen-jmmf]

as similar as every other cultures. in my country, people usually say exactly what the people said. but if the relationship amongst them is closed they tend to ask directly instead of going around like this ;))

[margej]

oh, I didn't notice until I watch this video that there are "Disguised requests" in Western culture. I thought only Asian countries have that kind of culture which could be regarded polite but sometimes cause misunderstandings. Thanks for letting me know. :)

[kipapabae]

At the beginning i was confused if these discussed requests are acceptable or forbidden in England, frankly. I've never thought that this manner or the way of expression might be learned outwardly. To be polite is natural in human nature. It seems strange like learning a skill in program.
I know that I must understand that this opinion can also be culture shock as well to anybody.

[reincarnate]

I'm not smart enough to identify a disguised request...

[chunfengmugu]

It is said that Chinese people are indirect and they usually hide their real minds. But now I know English people also have the same 'problem', which actually is a common way to be nice and polite to others. Maybe it's nothing special about having different cultures, but wether there is culture.

[badguy]

I am curious what German would say in her case.

[husamal-iraqi]

Aren't we supposed to take a quiz after watching the episode of 'WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN' series?!🤗

[enescapkn]

My 5£on this, this so called polite way of saying “can you please go?” is less polite and more harmul to your payer than just saying “go”

[meomeo]

can you make a video to recap all the "what they really mean" videos?