I am your friend. What about you?
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I want to offer a friendship, where there is a cultural barrier that I need to respect; And there is a barrier in the other direction too - but less strong.
I want to offer the friendship by stating that I made up my mind to be the other parties friend.
I see that friendship is something mutual - this is about negotiating a friendship.
While leaving, I say
I am your friend.
shaking his hand.
I'm unsure whether it would mean the same if I would say
You are my friend.
It "feels" different to me - but I can not tell how. It's not the grammatical difference, but the difference in meaning, possibly "between the lines". Are there other ways to say it?
It is important that I do not want to request an answer stating mutual friendship. So "Let's be friends!" or "I'd like to be friends with you." would not work. Even "I'd like to be your friend." requests an agreement to be friends.
The context is that I expect one of two answers:
Yes, let's be friends!
The other possible answer I want to allow for is to accept my desire to be friends, but not agreeing nor rejecting it:
Let me think about it...
or "Hmm...", which would be fine answers, similar to "I do not have made my mind up on this yet, I'll tell you next time we meet". How to say this best seems to be a different question. Also, rejection of my offer, or even rejection of me making the offer, is not relevant (but interesting).
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning conversation
asked Aug 7 at 16:09
Volker Siegel
471415
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 2 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
I want to offer a friendship, where there is a cultural barrier that I need to respect; And there is a barrier in the other direction too - but less strong.
I want to offer the friendship by stating that I made up my mind to be the other parties friend.
I see that friendship is something mutual - this is about negotiating a friendship.
While leaving, I say
I am your friend.
shaking his hand.
I'm unsure whether it would mean the same if I would say
You are my friend.
It "feels" different to me - but I can not tell how. It's not the grammatical difference, but the difference in meaning, possibly "between the lines". Are there other ways to say it?
It is important that I do not want to request an answer stating mutual friendship. So "Let's be friends!" or "I'd like to be friends with you." would not work. Even "I'd like to be your friend." requests an agreement to be friends.
The context is that I expect one of two answers:
Yes, let's be friends!
The other possible answer I want to allow for is to accept my desire to be friends, but not agreeing nor rejecting it:
Let me think about it...
or "Hmm...", which would be fine answers, similar to "I do not have made my mind up on this yet, I'll tell you next time we meet". How to say this best seems to be a different question. Also, rejection of my offer, or even rejection of me making the offer, is not relevant (but interesting).
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning conversation
asked Aug 7 at 16:09
Volker Siegel
471415
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 2 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
I'd say I am your friend spoken to someone who wouldn't have automatically included you in his list of friends (on the basic of long-term past interactions) is often just an almost "metaphorical" way of saying My actions and intentions as regards you are friendly (i.e. - beneficial to you / to your advantage). Heading further into metaphor territory, Scepticism is your friend when conducting scientific research, for example.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 7 at 16:25
There is a previous similar question on English Language Learners site.
– Weather Vane
Aug 7 at 16:33
Saying 'I am your friend' can be (1) a way of stating a fact (although if that is really a fact, it rarely needs to be stated explicitly), or (2) a proposal that a friendship be established. The paragraph beginning with 'It is important', seems to rule out (1) in its first sentence, and to then rule out (2) in its second sentence. The question thus seems to be about some third possibility, and it is rather unclear what that would be. The fact that the second sentence begins with 'So' adds to the unclarity, as it is about something different than the first one.
– jsw29
Nov 6 at 17:50
add a comment |
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up vote
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I want to offer a friendship, where there is a cultural barrier that I need to respect; And there is a barrier in the other direction too - but less strong.
I want to offer the friendship by stating that I made up my mind to be the other parties friend.
I see that friendship is something mutual - this is about negotiating a friendship.
While leaving, I say
I am your friend.
shaking his hand.
I'm unsure whether it would mean the same if I would say
You are my friend.
It "feels" different to me - but I can not tell how. It's not the grammatical difference, but the difference in meaning, possibly "between the lines". Are there other ways to say it?
It is important that I do not want to request an answer stating mutual friendship. So "Let's be friends!" or "I'd like to be friends with you." would not work. Even "I'd like to be your friend." requests an agreement to be friends.
The context is that I expect one of two answers:
Yes, let's be friends!
The other possible answer I want to allow for is to accept my desire to be friends, but not agreeing nor rejecting it:
Let me think about it...
or "Hmm...", which would be fine answers, similar to "I do not have made my mind up on this yet, I'll tell you next time we meet". How to say this best seems to be a different question. Also, rejection of my offer, or even rejection of me making the offer, is not relevant (but interesting).
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning conversation
asked Aug 7 at 16:09
Volker Siegel
471415
I want to offer a friendship, where there is a cultural barrier that I need to respect; And there is a barrier in the other direction too - but less strong.
I want to offer the friendship by stating that I made up my mind to be the other parties friend.
I see that friendship is something mutual - this is about negotiating a friendship.
While leaving, I say
I am your friend.
shaking his hand.
I'm unsure whether it would mean the same if I would say
You are my friend.
It "feels" different to me - but I can not tell how. It's not the grammatical difference, but the difference in meaning, possibly "between the lines". Are there other ways to say it?
It is important that I do not want to request an answer stating mutual friendship. So "Let's be friends!" or "I'd like to be friends with you." would not work. Even "I'd like to be your friend." requests an agreement to be friends.
The context is that I expect one of two answers:
Yes, let's be friends!
The other possible answer I want to allow for is to accept my desire to be friends, but not agreeing nor rejecting it:
Let me think about it...
or "Hmm...", which would be fine answers, similar to "I do not have made my mind up on this yet, I'll tell you next time we meet". How to say this best seems to be a different question. Also, rejection of my offer, or even rejection of me making the offer, is not relevant (but interesting).
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning conversation
meaning meaning-in-context phrase-meaning conversation
asked Aug 7 at 16:09
Volker Siegel
471415
asked Aug 7 at 16:09
Volker Siegel
471415
edited Aug 7 at 17:07
asked Aug 7 at 16:09
Volker Siegel
471415
asked Aug 7 at 16:09
Volker Siegel
471415
asked Aug 7 at 16:09
Volker Siegel
471415
471415
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 2 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 2 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
I'd say I am your friend spoken to someone who wouldn't have automatically included you in his list of friends (on the basic of long-term past interactions) is often just an almost "metaphorical" way of saying My actions and intentions as regards you are friendly (i.e. - beneficial to you / to your advantage). Heading further into metaphor territory, Scepticism is your friend when conducting scientific research, for example.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 7 at 16:25
There is a previous similar question on English Language Learners site.
– Weather Vane
Aug 7 at 16:33
Saying 'I am your friend' can be (1) a way of stating a fact (although if that is really a fact, it rarely needs to be stated explicitly), or (2) a proposal that a friendship be established. The paragraph beginning with 'It is important', seems to rule out (1) in its first sentence, and to then rule out (2) in its second sentence. The question thus seems to be about some third possibility, and it is rather unclear what that would be. The fact that the second sentence begins with 'So' adds to the unclarity, as it is about something different than the first one.
– jsw29
Nov 6 at 17:50
add a comment |
I'd say I am your friend spoken to someone who wouldn't have automatically included you in his list of friends (on the basic of long-term past interactions) is often just an almost "metaphorical" way of saying My actions and intentions as regards you are friendly (i.e. - beneficial to you / to your advantage). Heading further into metaphor territory, Scepticism is your friend when conducting scientific research, for example.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 7 at 16:25
There is a previous similar question on English Language Learners site.
– Weather Vane
Aug 7 at 16:33
Saying 'I am your friend' can be (1) a way of stating a fact (although if that is really a fact, it rarely needs to be stated explicitly), or (2) a proposal that a friendship be established. The paragraph beginning with 'It is important', seems to rule out (1) in its first sentence, and to then rule out (2) in its second sentence. The question thus seems to be about some third possibility, and it is rather unclear what that would be. The fact that the second sentence begins with 'So' adds to the unclarity, as it is about something different than the first one.
– jsw29
Nov 6 at 17:50
I'd say I am your friend spoken to someone who wouldn't have automatically included you in his list of friends (on the basic of long-term past interactions) is often just an almost "metaphorical" way of saying My actions and intentions as regards you are friendly (i.e. - beneficial to you / to your advantage). Heading further into metaphor territory, Scepticism is your friend when conducting scientific research, for example.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 7 at 16:25
I'd say I am your friend spoken to someone who wouldn't have automatically included you in his list of friends (on the basic of long-term past interactions) is often just an almost "metaphorical" way of saying My actions and intentions as regards you are friendly (i.e. - beneficial to you / to your advantage). Heading further into metaphor territory, Scepticism is your friend when conducting scientific research, for example.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 7 at 16:25
There is a previous similar question on English Language Learners site.
– Weather Vane
Aug 7 at 16:33
There is a previous similar question on English Language Learners site.
– Weather Vane
Aug 7 at 16:33
Saying 'I am your friend' can be (1) a way of stating a fact (although if that is really a fact, it rarely needs to be stated explicitly), or (2) a proposal that a friendship be established. The paragraph beginning with 'It is important', seems to rule out (1) in its first sentence, and to then rule out (2) in its second sentence. The question thus seems to be about some third possibility, and it is rather unclear what that would be. The fact that the second sentence begins with 'So' adds to the unclarity, as it is about something different than the first one.
– jsw29
Nov 6 at 17:50
Saying 'I am your friend' can be (1) a way of stating a fact (although if that is really a fact, it rarely needs to be stated explicitly), or (2) a proposal that a friendship be established. The paragraph beginning with 'It is important', seems to rule out (1) in its first sentence, and to then rule out (2) in its second sentence. The question thus seems to be about some third possibility, and it is rather unclear what that would be. The fact that the second sentence begins with 'So' adds to the unclarity, as it is about something different than the first one.
– jsw29
Nov 6 at 17:50
add a comment |
1 Answer
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If, while leaving and shaking hands, you said "I want to try to be your friend", that should elicit one of the two expected responses you mention. You can also consider "I want to extend my friendship to you". Both are similar - indicating that you have decided about this, but an immediate reciprocal reply is not necessary (unless they want to express the same).
The other party should either (1) indicate that they want to try to be friends also, or (2) they might just say nothing (indicating that they were thinking about it...a "silent" Hmm...).
answered Aug 7 at 18:16
user22542
1,92539
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
If, while leaving and shaking hands, you said "I want to try to be your friend", that should elicit one of the two expected responses you mention. You can also consider "I want to extend my friendship to you". Both are similar - indicating that you have decided about this, but an immediate reciprocal reply is not necessary (unless they want to express the same).
The other party should either (1) indicate that they want to try to be friends also, or (2) they might just say nothing (indicating that they were thinking about it...a "silent" Hmm...).
answered Aug 7 at 18:16
user22542
1,92539
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
If, while leaving and shaking hands, you said "I want to try to be your friend", that should elicit one of the two expected responses you mention. You can also consider "I want to extend my friendship to you". Both are similar - indicating that you have decided about this, but an immediate reciprocal reply is not necessary (unless they want to express the same).
The other party should either (1) indicate that they want to try to be friends also, or (2) they might just say nothing (indicating that they were thinking about it...a "silent" Hmm...).
answered Aug 7 at 18:16
user22542
1,92539
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If, while leaving and shaking hands, you said "I want to try to be your friend", that should elicit one of the two expected responses you mention. You can also consider "I want to extend my friendship to you". Both are similar - indicating that you have decided about this, but an immediate reciprocal reply is not necessary (unless they want to express the same).
The other party should either (1) indicate that they want to try to be friends also, or (2) they might just say nothing (indicating that they were thinking about it...a "silent" Hmm...).
answered Aug 7 at 18:16
user22542
1,92539
If, while leaving and shaking hands, you said "I want to try to be your friend", that should elicit one of the two expected responses you mention. You can also consider "I want to extend my friendship to you". Both are similar - indicating that you have decided about this, but an immediate reciprocal reply is not necessary (unless they want to express the same).
The other party should either (1) indicate that they want to try to be friends also, or (2) they might just say nothing (indicating that they were thinking about it...a "silent" Hmm...).
answered Aug 7 at 18:16
user22542
1,92539
answered Aug 7 at 18:16
user22542
1,92539
answered Aug 7 at 18:16
user22542
1,92539
answered Aug 7 at 18:16
user22542
1,92539
1,92539
add a comment |
add a comment |
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I'd say I am your friend spoken to someone who wouldn't have automatically included you in his list of friends (on the basic of long-term past interactions) is often just an almost "metaphorical" way of saying My actions and intentions as regards you are friendly (i.e. - beneficial to you / to your advantage). Heading further into metaphor territory, Scepticism is your friend when conducting scientific research, for example.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 7 at 16:25
There is a previous similar question on English Language Learners site.
– Weather Vane
Aug 7 at 16:33
Saying 'I am your friend' can be (1) a way of stating a fact (although if that is really a fact, it rarely needs to be stated explicitly), or (2) a proposal that a friendship be established. The paragraph beginning with 'It is important', seems to rule out (1) in its first sentence, and to then rule out (2) in its second sentence. The question thus seems to be about some third possibility, and it is rather unclear what that would be. The fact that the second sentence begins with 'So' adds to the unclarity, as it is about something different than the first one.
– jsw29
Nov 6 at 17:50