Jim, you’re really good at solving computer problems. I wonder if
5 Seeking agreement in safe topics
In expressing positive politeness, the speaker also can apply the strategy of seeking agreement in safe topics. It is a strategy that allows the
speaker to find a possibility in which he or she can agree with the hearer’s
statement in safe topics, for example talking about the weather or the beauty of a garden. This strategy can be found in this sentence:
2:8 I agree. Right. Manchester United played really badly last night, didn’t they? D’you reckon you could give me a cigarette?
Watts, 2003:89 The hearer tells about the evaluation of Manchester United
’s poor showing in the previous evening
. Then, the speaker tries to safe the hearer’s positive face by seeking an agreement from the hearer’s statement. The
speaker expresses his or her agreement by saying “I agree. Right.” By saying
this agreement, the speaker shows his or her cooperation with the hearer. Therefore, the speaker can minimize the threat when he or she asks a cigarette
to the hearer.
6 Avoiding disagreement
Avoiding disagreement is one way to safe the hearer’s positive face.
The speaker of this strategy may hide his or her disagreement by doing a white lie. As stated by Cutting 2002:40, a white lie is
“a lie with good intentions.” Besides, the speaker also can hide his or her disagreement by
pretending to agree through the use of hedges. Cutting 2002:42 gives some examples of hedges, for example
“if possible”, “sort of”, “in a way” and “I wonder”. The speaker can apply this strategy as in this example: