Niobii

If you offer someone a polo and they take two is it rude?

I offered a work colleague a polo from my tube the other day and they took two. I offered them a polo twice more and each time they took two. I eventually stopped offering!

It's really trivial but it's made me wonder if other people would see it as cheeky or slightly rude? If it was family or a close friend I wouldn't care at all.

pdarwin

This seems to be more of a reaction from how you feel about this person in general, rather than the act they committed.

Sherlock Holmes

Polos: not rude.

Rolos: Now that would be rude.

DandNHill

Rude!!!! Definitely!!

I had a situation I had to decide on the other day as to whether it was rude or just Canadian!!

My boss, when talking to somebody else, always refers to me as "she" not by my name but "she". Now in England that's rude! So I asked my sons teacher the other day for clarification and she confirmed it was rude! I just thought it might have been a "Canadian thing"

Pollyana

Its rude in Aus where you can't buy them that easily!

Sherlock Holmes

It's rude all over the planet and elephants have long memories!

Pollyana

I* actually have a deal with people at work - if I have English goodies then they might get a very small taste but thats all, things like a pack of polos are too precious, and most of them realise it

Denhamgirl

Rude, definitely. Especially for someone who is just a work colleague and not a friend/family member as you say.

As for the 'she' thing, don't get me started. I am frequently agog at the amount of times I'm referred to as the proverbial cat's mother. My husband's family (Canadians) do it ALL the time and I really thought until now that it was just a Canadian thing I would have to learn to live with. My Irish mammy would box my ears if I ever referred to anyone like that!

Almost Canadian

Not rude at all unless, of course, you had stated that s/he was only to take one, in which case, that appears a little tight.

Don't offer them if they are so precious to you.

caretaker

He said, she said, we said, nous saidons.....I don't get it.
[from the net].
Father: Did your mother bring in the newspaper?
Child: Yes, she did.
What's wrong with that?

Former Lancastrian

As polo mints are readily available Bulk Barn and Superstores and possibly WalMart (I dont regularly look for them) then its not like they are a hot commodity as opposed to an Uncle Joes Mintball etc.
The same question could be asked if you were offering that worker a crisp (potatoe chip) would you expect them to take only one crisp or is several acceptable.
I guess it depends on your tolerance level.
But woe betide anyone who takes 2 Uncle Joes if I would even consider offering them out.

jeannie in a bottle

I would find that most unacceptable. I have found some Canadians to be rather greedy when it comes to handing out sweets. For some reason they think it is acceptable to "grab a handful"

I also agree with the "she" comment - from a British perspective it comes across as rude and ignorant . What's wrong with saying "the customer", or this lady /person / client?

Has anyone also noticed how Canadians feel free to ask "how much did that cost you", without any hint of embarassment whatsoever? I am asked this question constantly. It is though they are obsessed with money

Quite honestly, they need to learn some manners and grow up

Miss Clinique

I thought that was a Canadian thing, I am sure it must be, so many of them do it, especially in the work place.

Miss Clinique

So would mine! God love her and keep her.

Danny B

Yes the how much did it cost you, or how much did you make last year question comes up very often for me.

I don't think it's rudeness, I think that the majority of Canadians are just really good at finding bargains and would revel in the fact that they could have saved you $2.79 if you had bought it from a shop 50 miles away instead of locally.