"I want" vs. "I'd like"

[supernova]

I found it.  It's from www.stainedapron.com :

............................

A mom and her young daughter sat down at my table. As soon as I aproached them, before I could even say "Hello," the little girl shouts at me, "GIMMIE FRENCH FRIES!!"

I step back, and look over at the mom, expecting her to say something to her rude child, or at least apologize to me.

She looks and me and shouts "GIMMIE SALMON!!!"


—Anonymous, Washington, D.C.

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I won't post the direct link to the page, as some of those stories condone pretty outrageous behavior; but there you have it--the Gimme Family in its original glory.

     - saphie

[audrey1962]

For years I always said "I want" b/c that is how my family raised me. They also raised me to always speak in a pleasant tone and say please and thank you. When I was in college studying German I learned that the German phrase translates to "I would like," which I thought sounded more polite and so I changed my ordering habit in English as well. However, my mother and all the rest of my family still say "I want" and I don't believe any of them think they're being rude. I certainly would never correct them.

[Lisbeth]

I tend to say "I'd like" or "May I have" with a "please" in there somewhere.

Being expected to serve people who shout "Gimme" would boggle my mind. 

[crazyone]

I take it your neighbor never worked as a waitress or in retail?

[MineralDiva]

<<<Perhaps the phrase should be: "Can we get some wolves to raise these people?"  Wink>>>

I stand corrected.  I did think of that, as I hit the "post" button.  My apologies to the wolves! 

[ShadesOfGrey]

I just think that "I want" is a demand and not a request.

um, it's not just you that thinks that, it's the English lexicon that dictates that!

[ChristiKayAnn]

When I was little if I said "I want" my mom would say "that's nice", turn away from me and ignore me until I could ask properly.
I just think that "I want" is a demand and not a request.

My mother always responded "want in one hand and spit in the other, and see which one fills up the fastest" when one of us kids said "I want."

And before anyone tells me, yes I know she cleaned up that saying a bit before using it on us (although grandma said it all the time, too, so maybe she is the one who cleaned it up.)

[Xanthia, Maker of fine Tin-foil hats since 2007]

When I was little if I said "I want" my mom would say "that's nice", turn away from me and ignore me until I could ask properly.
I just think that "I want" is a demand and not a request.

My mother always responded "want in one hand and spit in the other, and see which one fills up the fastest" when one of us kids said "I want."

And before anyone tells me, yes I know she cleaned up that saying a bit before using it on us (although grandma said it all the time, too, so maybe she is the one who cleaned it up.)

My papas favorite was "Yeah, and people in hell want ice water."

[Sandi Papaya]

I always say, "I'll have the (insert menu item here), please" - whether it's a fast-food place or a sit-down restaurant. And always, always say thank you.

I'm really irritated by people who'll say "I want" or "Can I get...?" unless it's "Can I get (x) substituted for (y) in (z)?" And even then, it's not, "Can I get," it's "May I have (x) substituted for (y) etc." I catch myself doing it sometimes, so yes, I'm guilty. But I try to correct myself when I can, especially when I'm out in a semi-formal or formal setting, which with my laidback friends and family doesn't happen often.

[scotcat]

Quote from: ChristiKayAnn on Yesterday at 03:56:18 PM
Quote from: MrsP81 on Yesterday at 09:00:00 AM
When I was little if I said "I want" my mom would say "that's nice", turn away from me and ignore me until I could ask properly.
I just think that "I want" is a demand and not a request.


My mother always responded "want in one hand and spit in the other, and see which one fills up the fastest" when one of us kids said "I want."

And before anyone tells me, yes  I know she cleaned up that saying a bit before using it on us (although grandma said it all the time, too, so maybe she is the one who cleaned it up.)


My papas favorite was "Yeah, and people in hell want ice water."


Or as any good  Nanny would have said "Then want must be your master"