Say what?
Over the summer, I did more socializing, and with a wider social circle than usual. I have no scandalous behaviour to report, but a few behaviours puzzled me, and each had to do with words and their underlying intent. 1. "Let me get the tip." Several friends said that when I took them to lunch. This gesture has been around since my student days, a guest's effort to contribute in some way. Leaving a tip on someone else's check is awkward: the guest must either eyeball the tip screen or estimate what the cheque might be; it takes the charm off the moment. My reply is, "Please, not this time. I'm taking you!" 2. "You sure?" This is a response to an offer that Person A made to Person B: A: "I'm hopeless with orchids; please take this one, would you? B: "Sure. Wow, so nice of you!" But then, B tacks on the affirmation-seeking probe, "You sure?" What is B questioning here, A's sanity? Her ability to make a gene...
