People who ask 'Can I ask you a question?' Didn't really give me a choice, did you there, buddy?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Points out the polite phrasing hides a demand, making consent performative.
- In plain terms
- Asking if you can ask is not really asking if you want to.
- What can you take from it?
- Notice when questions aren't really choices.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does politeness hide pressure?
- How can you ask without framing a demand?
Another view
Some people use it just to be courteous, not controlling.
More from George Carlin
Nothing is so boring as listening to someone else describe a dream.
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