I seem to be in a phase where I'm generally low level irritable and scratchy and want to shed some involvements, engagements and responsibilities (I don't even have many).
Someone asked me to do an easy task many others could do and I had to work up the courage to say No. Ugh.
Jean MacDonald I have been simplifying a lot lately and learning to set boundaries. I am still getting the hang of it. As the old cliché goes, "No is a complete sentence."
Munish Pruthi 
Miraz Jordan Today I sat at a cafe table that was covered in crumbs. I asked the server to clean it.
Things I could perhaps have said:
- Wipe the table. (Way too direct for a Kiwi)
- Please wipe the table. (Still too direct for a Kiwi)
- Could you wipe the table please? (Getting there)
What I actually said:
Would you be able to give this table a bit of a wipe please? 🤣 Politeness rules!
Martin McCallion @Munish To get the full British effect you have to say, 'I'm sorry, but would you be able…'
Wait, what I should have said is, 'I'm sorry, but to get the full British effect you have to say, "I'm sorry, but would you be able…"'
Miraz Jordan @jedda Funnily enough I was thinking about it just after I said it — and how much 'padding' was in there.
Simon Woods @Munish @devilgate Sorry I just overheard this conversation. Sorry about that.
David Johnson @SimonWoods @Munish @devilgate @jedda Being back in the UK, I am reminded how often people say "Please, Thank you & Sorry." I'm enjoying it....and appreciating it.
Jean MacDonald ☺️ At least you didn’t say “Do you have a rag I could use to wipe this off?”
Miles Metcalfe @jean: too close! I'd be saying, "Do you need a hand with the tables?"
Munish Pruthi @crossingthethreshold interestingly, when a couple of US colleagues were over, I was surprised how they demanded things if waiters and waitresses. I hope it was just them.