New member of CUF executive committee

[Jeff Lebowski]

We have made a change in the CUF executive committee. Gidget will be taking a break and we would like to thank her for wonderful service and input on board issues. We are happy to welcome beelzebabette as her replacement.

[Mormon Red Death]

We have made a change in the CUF executive committee. Gidget will be taking a break and we would like to thank her for wonderful service and input on board issues. We are happy to welcome beelzebabette as her replacement.

when are the elections?

[FN Phat]

Thank you Gidget, for your services.

I have no idea what that executive committee does, but as your BIL I feel it is my duty to formally give you my thanks. I am sure that you did a great job!

[byu71]

when are the elections?

Elections, LOL

I, BYU71, am hereby raising my hand sustaining the calling.

[Art Vandelay]

when are the elections?

Ohhh, Ohhh, Ohhh Mr. Lebowski call on me

[Indy Coug]

Does that come with a corner office and a company car?

[pelagius]

Gidget will be taking a break and we would like to thank her for wonderful service and input on board issues.

I've always consider the bolded a strange phrase (although clearly very common and not unique to Mormons). So we would like to thank her but we can't actually bring ourselves to do it? I am pretty sure this is the thanking equivalent of kissing with one lip.

[creekster]

this is the . . . equivalent of kissing with one lip.

is that a bodybuilding euphemism? I kind of hope so, I think.

[pelagius]

is that a bodybuilding euphemism? I kind of hope so, I think.

Truthfully, it is the single memorable thing I learned in seminary ... He told us that singing only the first verse of a hymn was like kissing with one lip (hey, maybe that is a common seminary teacher comment?).

[Solon]

I've always consider the bolded a strange phrase (although clearly very common and not unique to Mormons). So we would like to thank her but we can't actually bring ourselves to do it? I am pretty sure this is the thanking equivalent of kissing with one lip.

In case you're serious about your query, the use of "would like to" and other such phrases "soften" the impact of the words (as you note). For whatever reasons, Romantic language cultures consider overly direct speech to be rude. You see it more in French, (creekster will back me up) where, for instance, the phrase "veuillez patienter s.v.p." means something like "might want to wait, please." (it's a subjunctive imperative). Gibberish in English, but it avoids asking a favor too directly (French could just use "Patientez!" to mean "Wait!").

Modern Americans' constant use of "like" is another example of avoiding speaking too directly. Perhaps being overly direct is subconsciously considered a sign of hubristic overconfidence.

[creekster]

In case you're serious about your query, the use of "would like to" and other such phrases "soften" the impact of the words (as you note). For whatever reasons, Romantic language cultures consider overly direct speech to be rude. You see it more in French, (creekster will back me up) where, for instance, the phrase "veuillez patienter s.v.p." means something like "might want to wait, please." (it's a subjunctive imperative). Gibberish in English, but it avoids asking a favor too directly (French could just use "Patientez!" to mean "Wait!").

Modern Americans' constant use of "like" is another example of avoiding speaking too directly. Perhaps being overly direct is subconsciously considered a sign of hubristic overconfidence.

so true about the french who, i might point out, NEVER kiss with one lip.

[Jeff Lebowski]

In case you're serious about your query, the use of "would like to" and other such phrases "soften" the impact of the words (as you note). For whatever reasons, Romantic language cultures consider overly direct speech to be rude. You see it more in French, (creekster will back me up) where, for instance, the phrase "veuillez patienter s.v.p." means something like "might want to wait, please." (it's a subjunctive imperative). Gibberish in English, but it avoids asking a favor too directly (French could just use "Patientez!" to mean "Wait!").

Modern Americans' constant use of "like" is another example of avoiding speaking too directly. Perhaps being overly direct is subconsciously considered a sign of hubristic overconfidence.

So there. Suck on that, Pelagius.

[creekster]

So there. Suck on that, Pelagius.

he will, but with a single lip only.

[pelagius]

so true about the french who, i might point out, NEVER kiss with one lip.

you have clearly not paid much attention to their idiomatic kissing.

[beefytee]

so true about the french who, i might point out, NEVER kiss with one lip.

How do you kiss with no lips?