• big_fat_fluffyOP
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    2 days ago

    Replace death with any heavy executive-issued penalty. The point here is the polite-implicit vs the impolite-explicit. (Ok i reworded it)

    • stinky@redlemmy.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      2 days ago

      “Hi! Please put all your candy in the bag, or I’ll smash your pumpkins”

      vs.

      “Give me the candy or I’ll smash your pumpkins”

      ?? Is that what you’re asking?

      Is there any backstory to your request?

      • Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        2 days ago

        It’s more like “trick or treat” vs “candy or we egg this joint”.

        The one is social accepted, polite, and doesn’t overtly state an intention to harm but it does imply it. The other is exactly the same, but it’s direct, no implication, just one or the other.

        Another example would be “you gotta pay us for protection, you wouldn’t want anything to happen while you’re here.” Vs. " Pay up or we cut you".

      • big_fat_fluffyOP
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        arrow-down
        4
        ·
        edit-2
        2 days ago

        No, it’s “please give me your candy” (with the implied threat). Vs “give me your candy or I’ll smash”.

        (Also, I reworded the post because you people are so literal and easily distracted.)

        • Today@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          2 days ago

          Probably the second (unless it’s something as common as trick or treat) as the implication may not hit me until later. You also have to judge the likelihood of follow thru- like when a kid get threatened with forever grounding.