Me either, I'm kinda bad about getting on to people for that. People treat waiters and waitresses really badly way too often. It amazes that people have no manners at all.
Yeah, it's important, but they don't have to be formal, all the time. Just do it during the appropriate times. I love slang. But I use certain slang around certain people. In one chill group, I might say "That movie was dumbass long"(I've been saying dumbass in that usage, a little latey). I'll say "what's hannin'" to another group. I'll say "hella" to any group, when I'm just chillin', because damn near everybody says it, whether you are a fan of hip-hop, or not. When I'm chillin' with my main set of friends, and I agree with some, or think something is badass, I'll say "fuck yeah, fool". And my favorite words, "mufucka" and "sick", I use around anybody in a relaxed conversation. But, if I'm in class, giving a speech, or talking to a teach, or counselor, or class mate, I'll use normal English, since I don't know them, that well. Also, it's just not appropriate, in my opinion. Certain people tolerate certain ways of talking. I hate when I'm in class, and some fool gets called on and starts rambling in slang, and a thick ass "hood" accent. I can tolerate the accent, because, that's the person's accent, but when the constant slang, accompanied wit the accent start up, they don't even try to speak a little more appropriately, it's annoying. They also tend to be the jokers in class, who don't take it seriously, crave attention, and have a REALLY animated way of speaking. I heard that shit so many times, back in high school. They also tended to be the loudest mufuckas in class.
Yes communication skills, grammar and speech are important to me whether it is my mate or anyone. Living where I am now though, I am learning a new language of sorts: Caribbean slang. I tell you most english words are unrecognizable here! Thankfully my partner speaks to me clearly and plainly and not in the slang mode. He is slowly teaching me slang and people always laugh when I give it a go, but I am grateful that he is willing to communicate in a way that I understand. Thanks to reading BA's posts I think the word "hella" a lot now!
Interesting topic. :smt023 I finally got a chance to read through this thread. I tailor my speech to the situation I'm in. But I have learned some things about myself. My second husband is a sloooooooooooow talker. It grew to bug me greatly. I have a tendency to speak quickly, so it was not a good match. He'd be telling me a story and after awhile of being with him, I'd just be thinking in my head "get on with it man, speed up!!!" Needless to say, my mate HAS to speak as quickly or close to as fast as I talk. I can't handle slow talkers. Just like I can't handle slow walkers. I walk and talk fast. LOL. Anyway, growing up with my grammatically correct mother who would say, "can you have something or may you have something?" and "it's whom, not who" has made me a bit anal in that department. I can't be around people that speak copious amounts of slang for long periods of time. I just can't handle it. LOL. My 2nd husband's family has a friend that goes to their house and he would end every sentence with "and sheeeiiiit". I wanted to strangle him after awhile. LOL. So, I guess to answer your question, it is important to me.
Awww, shit. I remember teachers trippin' about that "can" or "may" business. I also forgot to put, I say "n' shit", a lot, but only in relaxed conversation with my friends, or online. I don't say "and sheeiit", though. :smt042
Awww, "sheeeeeiiiit". :smt043 I forgot all about that. It was actually me who got my friends on saying "epic fail". It became our catchphrase for hella long.
I hate that damn word. And everybody and they mama are talkin' about "you know you want my swagger". No, I really don't want your shit swagger.
My Mom has corrected me too. For instance, one time, I said, "We should've went there". She said, "No, it's should've gone there". I correct her too. I try to fine tune my grammar when I see fit.
