Using PLEASE in answers.

Glikeria   Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:38 am GMT
Hi, folks,
Please have a look at this dialogue:
- May I smoke here?
- Yes, please.
Is the answer correct? Is it possible to use PLEASE when giving permission?
Tnx.
Uriel   Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:45 am GMT
It's like saying "Yes, please do." It's sort of emphatic, or like an exaggerated invitation to go ahead. Usually the "please" is emphasized, in that case.
Pabz   Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:47 pm GMT
I think it's more of a polite UK thing to say please when giving permission, or being hospitable:

- May I sit down?
- Oh yes, of course, please do have a seat.

In North America, "yes, please" sounds strange for giving permission. I only use it when asked if I want something:

- Would you like fries with that?
- Yes please.

Not when giving permission:

- May I smoke here?
- Yes. Oh, sure. Go ahead. No problem.
Uriel   Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:15 pm GMT
You'll hear it in the US, but Pabz is right -- we tend to use other words that express the same thing.
Glikeria   Sat Jul 22, 2006 7:36 am GMT
Tnx, Uriel and Pabs.You see, it was in a multiple choice test, no context, just an answer to the question; the other variants were all clearly wrong. But this one struck me as odd. If we had
Shall I switch it on? - Yes, please.
then it'd be natural.