retread| Request Pausing

Retreads are quality posts from yesterweeks that are given a second run on Saturdays. This piece was originally posted by ALBUS on 3 March 2006.

One can judge the import of the favor being asked by the length of the pause that comes after, “Can you do me a favor?”

For example, “Can you do me a favor? Hand me that pencil.” No pause. But, “Can you do me a favor . . . Loan me $1000.” Long pause. The pause may be broken up and filled with more beating around the bush, such as, “I
hope you don’t mind. This is hard for me to ask, but . . . .”