Do you prefer a polite request with an implicit punishment-threat or an outright demand with an explicit punishment-threat? Also, why?
Do you prefer a polite request with an implicit punishment-threat or an outright demand with an explicit punishment-threat? Also, why?
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Death penalty is wrong.
Replace death with any heavy executive-issued penalty. The point here is the polite-implicit vs the impolite-explicit. (Ok i reworded it)
"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?
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".
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.)
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.
Good luck with your research.
The point here is the polite-implicit vs the impolite-explicit.
But there is no politeness in threatening.