DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 17-year-old girl in her final year of high school. Earlier today, I was writing a test, and the teacher asked the students if we minded if she turned on the air conditioning. I immediately replied “No,” and someone else said “Yes, go ahead.” The teacher turned to me and said that it was really warm, and she’d really like to turn the air on.
Miss Manners, I am confused. Isn’t the correct response to someone asking if you mind something to say “No,” as in “No, I don’t mind”? Saying “Yes” is like saying “Yes, I do mind, so please don’t.”
This isn’t the first time I have come across this problem. Please clarify!
GENTLE READER: Was this English class? If so, you should bring the matter up, as it would provoke an interesting discussion about assumptions made in regard to the missing words.
You are right that “No” answers the question. But your classmate could argue that their response implied, “Yes, turn it on.” Evidently, the teacher thought so.
But Miss Manners votes with you.
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(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
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