Generational language differences

[senseless]

I'll start.
Ordering at restaurants:
If you are over 25 you say "I'LL HAVE a steak and french fries."

If you're under 25, you say "CAN I GET a steak and french fries?" as if this was a question subject to approval.

 

[boss.king]

Yeah, no.

 

[Mr. McMac]

What if I don't want steak?

 

[malman89]

What if I don't want steak?

Steak sounds great. French fries with steak? Not so much.

 

[Shrink]

Are the phrases "the bees knees", "23 skidoo", "oh you kid", and "Gee, Dad, it's a Wurlitzer" still in use by you youngsters??

I'm over 25...about 2 1/2 times over 25...

 

[Mord]

If you're under 25, you say "CAN I GET a steak and french fries?" as if this was a question subject to approval.

It's not about approval more politeness. Stating what you're having to me feels a bit like a demand, which while you're totally entitled to make as a paying customer just isn't how I'd do things.

 

[Shrink]

It's not about approval more politeness. Stating what you're having to me feels a bit like a demand, which while you're totally entitled to make as a paying customer just isn't how I'd do things.

Agree ^^^

I'm very big on being polite to everybody. Being a paying customer does not,IMO, free one to be impolite, demanding, or disrespectful to anyone...especially and particularly waitstaff.

 

[John Jacob]

Steak sounds great. French fries with steak? Not so much.

Yeah, mashed potatoes are so much better.

 

[senseless]

It's not about approval more politeness. Stating what you're having to me feels a bit like a demand, which while you're totally entitled to make as a paying customer just isn't how I'd do things.

It might be more about being a dependent rather than politeness. Childhood habits linger, just as younger adults refer to friends as "kids".

 

[Mord]

It might be more about being a dependent rather than politeness. Childhood habits linger, just as younger adults refer to friends as "kids".

Certainly doesn't feel that way from my perspective, if anything the opposite as friends of mine who are more independent and have worked those jobs are just that little bit more considerate towards service workers.

Not heard of the kids thing, can you give an example of it?

 

[senseless]

Certainly doesn't feel that way from my perspective, if anything the opposite as friends of mine who are more independent and have worked those jobs are just that little bit more considerate towards service workers.

Not heard of the kids thing, can you give an example of it?

Just generally. "Is that kid a friend of yours?" referring to a 21 year old.

 

[Mord]

Just generally. "Is that kid a friend of yours?" referring to a 21 year old.

I'm glad to say that one has not crossed the pond, at least in my experience.

 

[Shrink]

I'm glad to say that one has not crossed the pond, at least in my experience.

When I call someone "kid", it's because I'm astoundingly old and most people ARE kids from where I'm sitting!!

 

[twietee]

What about "Can I become a steak, please?" Still wrong? Lots of polite people around here used to say that...

 

[KaraH]

Wait! Why do you have a puzzled expression when I called that person a hacker?