...certain phrases that people like to use and say. I really hate when you say, "I'm hungry." Then someone responds with, "I'm Steven, nice to meet you." HAHA, you're so witty I forgot to laugh.. excluding that first, Ha Ha. That's just a small one I hate, the real big thing I hate which I'm going to talk about now (mainly because I can't remember all the other phrases I was going to say I hated) is what you might deal with growing up in school. How many times has this conversation gone through; 
Kid: "Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?"
Teacher: "I don't know, CAN you?"
Kid: "May I go to the bathroom?"
I hate that!! Here's where it's wrong on the teacher's part, and I'm going to tell this to my kids so they can know what to say to their teachers when this happens. If the teacher doesn't allow the student to go to the bathroom, then they CAN'T go to the bathroom. It's not a matter of whether the kid can physically go to the bathroom , but it's if he/she is allowed to, which still falls under the word 'can'. I don't think it's grammatically wrong at all, only my run on sentences are, but the kid asking if he/she CAN go is not. I will teach my children to handle the conversation this way:
My Son/Daughter: "Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?"
Stupid Teacher: "I don't know, CAN you?"
My Son/Daughter: "I don't know, if you don't let me then I can't go, moron!"
Stupid Teacher: "My dear! You're going to the principals office immediately!
My Son/Daughter: "Oh yeah, so you mean I 'MAY' go to the principals office? (grin very evil like at the stupid teacher then just walk out of class.)
Man my kids are gonna be as awesome as I am.. wait, what if they're more awesome than me? Oh no, I've got to kill them immediately!! Oh wait, I'll just not have kids. Another crisis solved, thanks to the genius of me.
 
I hate you!
    
    
  
  Kid: "Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?"
Teacher: "I don't know, CAN you?"
Kid: "May I go to the bathroom?"
I hate that!! Here's where it's wrong on the teacher's part, and I'm going to tell this to my kids so they can know what to say to their teachers when this happens. If the teacher doesn't allow the student to go to the bathroom, then they CAN'T go to the bathroom. It's not a matter of whether the kid can physically go to the bathroom , but it's if he/she is allowed to, which still falls under the word 'can'. I don't think it's grammatically wrong at all, only my run on sentences are, but the kid asking if he/she CAN go is not. I will teach my children to handle the conversation this way:
My Son/Daughter: "Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?"
Stupid Teacher: "I don't know, CAN you?"
My Son/Daughter: "I don't know, if you don't let me then I can't go, moron!"
Stupid Teacher: "My dear! You're going to the principals office immediately!
My Son/Daughter: "Oh yeah, so you mean I 'MAY' go to the principals office? (grin very evil like at the stupid teacher then just walk out of class.)
Man my kids are gonna be as awesome as I am.. wait, what if they're more awesome than me? Oh no, I've got to kill them immediately!! Oh wait, I'll just not have kids. Another crisis solved, thanks to the genius of me.
 
I hate you!


3 Comments:
Actually Jon, you're right, "May I.." and "Can I.." have the same meaning, they're both correct to be used in those terms. "May I.." is actually just the polite way of asking "Can I..", etc etc.
I think that teachers really only use it to induce bladder damage to the child asking permission to go to use the facilities. Either that, or to piss them off... Unfortunately I must say "No pun intended". Har har.
By Anonymous, at 8:37 PM
 Anonymous, at 8:37 PM
	   
I was always taught that "can" implied the actual literal capability of the event, and "may" referred to giving permission. Whatever, both words suck.
Here's my "I Hate" for the day:
I hate technicalities.... (Even though I often use them to prove people wrong.)
-Michi
By Anonymous, at 9:56 PM
 Anonymous, at 9:56 PM
	   
WOW John... that picture is way too funny! but yea... the whole bathroom thing... i never put that much thought into it... i should look into things more often... cuz when u do , u often realize how stupid even the smartest people are! =) well i'm off!!!
toodles,
Cassie B.
By Anonymous, at 9:36 PM
 Anonymous, at 9:36 PM
	   
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