Hi Peter,

Demanding an answer is rude. Requesting an answer is polite. There is no 'social order' or 'place in the hierarchy' when it comes to manners. I very seldom hear anyone at the top of the totem pole 'demanding' anything because it exhibits unprofessionalism.

Allowances are made of course for non-native speakers. I must admit, I did agree that your message was indeed rude until I took into account your understanding of English.


>>I guess there may be some nuances of language. I don't know Dutch but the french "demander" is "to ask" in English, whereas teh English "to demand" is high-handed. Similarly "commander" in French means "to order" as in ordering a meal, but in E it means only "to give an order" (or "to merit" as in "command respect").
>
>The fact for me is (or was) that 'to demand´ means ´to ask´. (I´ve learnt English, French and German at school in the same years. Maybe that explains.) So, there may be previous posts of me that contain words like "I have a demand. Can you tell me ...". And it would be a plain question, not an order. As I understand it now, I better not use that word anymore here, because it will be interpreted as an order. Okay. I'll try to remember.
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>>A message can't "ask for" an answer in itself but the author can politely or respectfully request an answer :-)
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>So, "ask for" would not have been used by a native speaker? In Dutch it is appropriate, but what would an Englishman say? Request? Isn't that indicating a lower place in the hierarchy? Isn't that indicating asking the other for a favor?
>
>>>
>>>I really hope someone (else) from MS realizes that the request is serious enough and requires an appropriate, official response.
>>>
>>>Please, tell me, try me, if any other 'signs of impoliteness' are found.
>>
>>Hey, I do have other work to do, you know! I'd be writing you all day! :-)
>
>Well, you're here almost each and every day, reflecting on almost each and every issue, so... :)