Can I get?

Thank you for the info, Siobhan. It was my Oxford and Cambridge educated teacher of English who told me allright was correct. Perhaps it was back then. Language is not static. Chambers agrees with OED, btw.

"Perfectly alright" is not the same as "not rude".

What surprises me on threads like this one is the passion people seem to apply to their linguistic likes and dislikes, e.g. "I hate it!"

Even for pedantry that seems to me to be ridiculously intolerant. Actually, I question whether it is pedantry. I think it's just irritability driven by a sense of superiority.

I live in Scotland and have no quarrel with any regional variations or dialects even though I mostly don't use them myself, as my mother was quite English-spoken so that is what I learned.

Yes, I dislike it, too. I understand it comes from one of the soaps or US series (of course), but we're not allowed to pass an opinion. I also dislike when asked 'how are you?', the reply is 'I'm good'.

You must go to lots of cafes etc, as I’ve never heard or more so noticed people asking in that way. There are so many horrible things going on in the world, other people’s grammar is not my priority or even my business. I would rather focus on the poor homeless person sitting outside the cafe.

AND - whilst we are on the subject -do some people say;:

'Cheers' and not 'thank you'.

'Two times' and not 'twice'.

'No problem' when I cannot for the life of me see why there would be a problem when I ask for a cup of tea in a tea shop.

I'd better leave it there, give other grans a chance to have a good WHY.

I positively enjoy being an old pedant, and make no apologies for it.
I love regional accents and dialects, and had a fine old time learning the ‘Doric’ in Scotland, but I dislike lazy pronunciation, malapropisms (unless they’re funny) and Americanisms.
I have no idea why I dislike Americanisms so much. I think I am prejudiced having had a couple of bad experiences with some American people who were very rude and hostile.
I’m sure the vast majority of our Trans-Atlantic friends are delightful people.

When asking in a cafe I usually say " I would like a latte please!" where I live in Sweden, they dont have the equivelant of please, they say "I want a latte thank you" polite in their way I suppose,whenever I am in the UK with my Grandchildren, I always remind them to say "please" I am known as the "Language Police"

I would like a latte please!"
Nanny41; Where I am in Melb. I say "a latte thanks" In the land of mateship, "please" has overtones of a slightly subservient relationship, stemming from Colonial days I guess.
Which is also why "tipping" is frowned on!

The only thing I can add is that here in America, we enjoy British television enormously. It's also true that similar observations have been made about Americans who adopt British mannerisms.

My only take away from all of this is that whether you're from UK or America, (or anywhere else)...... imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Since taste, culture and manners have laid down in front of the great juggernaut of money in terms of social markers, perfect grammar is the only reliable determinant of the middle classes.

Though having said that, my professional, highly educated, bright as ninepence book group friends would think nothing of saying, 'Can I get...?'

But then they were born middle class while I was merely aspiring WC. Having taught English for decades before I retired it would wither me on the spot to say, 'Can I get...?'

When at a restaurant and I ask for something I get “ No problem.” Why should it even be considered a problem to do their job? It makes me crazy.

Do you hear " y'all right there?" as a replacement for the old school " Can I help you?"

Oh I hate that old batty!
What business is it of theirs whether I am “all right” ? How they would run and hide if I told them all the reasons why I was not “all right”.
“Can I help you (Madam) ? “ is just as easy to say and sounds helpful .
Do shops no longer employ Sales Assistants?

Maw....you should reply " I'm good"

The ubiquitous "Yar righ?", instead of "hello, how are you" continues to irritate the hell out of me.

" Yar righ".....I never know how to reply. It used to be a regional thing I think, now its some sort of code for " I have noticed you but I dont want to talk"

Overthehills
'Yous/youse' is often written and spoken by Liverpudlians and residents in or from the general Merseyside area.

Marmite, I am with you on the dislike for the word gotten..I hate it so much that I tend not to read books written by American authors due to the over use of the word gotten. Otherwise I am fairly easy on how people speak.

No, I don't find the way other people talk does grate on me. What irks me is the constant complaining about it on Gransnet.

I'm with you Baggs, the nature of language is that it evolves. If not, we'd be speaking like the language in Chaucer...mind you, at least I'd have understood The Nun's Priests Tale for O level!

its about watching usa movies .usally its "GET ME" A "or can i get .?" just carry on with your words please can i have?

Anyone also finding themselves more and more cheesed off by the "No problem" response from those serving and being paid to serve customers?

To my mind, customers are not and never have been a problem, and their being there, in an establishment where they are paying (top dollar quite often) for services, is NOT A PROBLEM - ever.

"Yes, certainly" or "Of course" should be the response to reasonable requests.

I say thank you for good service or even indifferent service. I am not a problem they have overcome.

I think some of you are beng too literal. When someone says "no problem" in the situations described, it doesn't literally mean "no problem". I think everyone knows that. If someone gives a cheerful repsonse, don't complain!

Have the objectors never said something not quite perfect when they have felt awkward or tired or just fed up? Or do you always say the right thing in the right tone of voice and never just fluff your way through the day?

What a bunch of grumpy old women!

so jump ship and go on another thread. See ya.

There is probably a term for those nonsensical non-literal answers. Does anyone know what it is?