avoiding direct requests | The Australian Dictionary of Invisible Culture for Teachers

The Australian Dictionary of Invisible Culture for Teachers

avoiding direct requests

norm: when it is like this, it is good to do some things (see more)

Many people in Australia think like this:

At many times when I want someone to do something, it is not good if I say something like this “I want you to do something, I think that you will do it because of this.”

If I say this, this person can feel something bad because of it.

"It's so cold in here (could you close the window)"

"Would it be possible to lend me a pencil?"

"Can I get in there? (Please move)"

against ‘ordering people about’formulating requests as questions formulating requests as suggestions sense of autonomy being polite

Back to Requests and Directives