CHAT Indirect Requests (was Re: Leaving the List for Awhile...)

David Peterson wrote:
>
> [P.P.S.: ObConlang: Ever consider how indirect requests
> work in your conlang?  E.g., "Can you pass the salt?"  The
> question really isn't about one's ability to pass the salt, thus
> an answer of "Yes, I can", without any salt passing, would
> be considered inappropriate. Nevertheless, this doesn't
> work in every language; there are different methods for
> expressing indirect requests.  Ever come up with any?]
I once worked afternoon shift in an office. We hired a new
guy. Most evenings, around lunch time, he would ask me,
"Hey, Phil, you gotta watch?" I would reply "Yes," and go back
to my work. He'd pause for a minute, then ask someone else.
("Hey, Joe, you gotta watch?" "It's 7:25." "Thanks.") After
two months, he transfered to day shift. I don't think he ever
figured it out.

--Ph. D.