A conundrum

[Benjamin Barrett]

On Aug 4, 2011, at 12:50 PM, Wilson Gray wrote:

> On Thu, Aug 4, 2011 at 10:37 AM, Jonathan Lighter
> <wuxxmupp2000 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I recommend,
>>
>> "Hey! I got a question for you, asshole!"
>>
>> Far less irritating. On the other hand, plain "Hey! Asshole!" would just be
>> rude.
>
> Unfortunately, attempting to be polite by asking permission to ask a
> question necessarily entails asking a question before permission to
> ask a question can be granted.
>
> What's a mother(fucker) to do?

Just like "How are you?" is not a question about your interlocutor's health, so "May I ask a question?" should be interpreted as a means of easing social interactions.

This also obviates the need for cussing.

Benjamin Barrett
Seattle, WA

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