drealmer7: Haha, yeah, I totally understand why that sort of phrasing is used these days, and I didn't mean to criticize you for it, certainly. Part of me appreciates it/you for being such, part of me sees issue with it, in general. So, it was definitely meant more as a general observation with a self-realization that I don't really like all the tip-toeing, politically correct, waffley-ness, posturing and positioning of expressions. Again, it's not an individual thing, it's a societal thing. People are afraid to be direct or express their true selves, they are tentative "if I were to express myself like this, how would you react?" instead of just doing it and dealing with the reaction/response. I almost see it kind of take away from a genuineness and an ability for true communication.
Nudiustertian: Suppose for a moment, hypothetically speaking, that I'd make an attempt to try and insinuate that there's a good chance I'll take a shot at possibly edging in a reaction of the kind I'm getting at here, might that in some way have a negative effect on your mood? I mean, if it were to happen of course.
All kidding aside, when asking something for nothing, being polite is usually not seen as a bad thing. "Is there a chance I could have a pony" is a lot less bratty than "I want a pony", even if the latter is a more direct expression of your equine desire. Besides, you're not getting a pony in either case. Do you think I'm made of money? And a pony needs a lot of care. You may think it's all fun and games, but it's not. Have you thought about how you're going to make time for it? Remember when we had the goldfish and you forgot to feed them? Well, a pony needs a lot more attention than that. I just don't think you're ready for one, drealmer7. Sorry.
Oh, I get it, I just think we've crossed a line in society of simply trying to not be rude/be polite to sacrificing genuineness and effective communication for the fear of being seen as rude and then there's this whole dance of each side trying to be certain they aren't being seen as rude by the other and it just is overkill and detrimental.
Also, the issue I raised was more about the illogic of the type of phrasing "is there a chance I could ask for a pony?" you missed that part in your example, because "is there a chance I could have a pony" at least follows logical thought "a chance I could ask" does not. I also think there's certainly many ways one can be genuine and ask for a pony without coming off bratty about it, and the key I think is genuineness (something lacking in general society, I think, because people are SO AFRAID of how they will be perceived and their desire to be PC.) Just be genuine "hey, I see you have a pony you are offering, I'd really love to have it!" And then we can have an actual discussion about what you think qualifies one to receive a pony and see if I meet those qualifications.
*cries* (no pony for me): bbb..bbbuut....I actually kept a fair (the carnival type thing, not the complexion) gold-fish alive for 4 years once, his name was Fatso. Imagine what I could do with a pony (use it to till the whole yard into a garden, probably!)