passives, or statements of general rules I hope offense will not be taken. Visitors sign the ledger. Spitting will not be tolerated. Apologetic I'm sorry; it's a lot to ask, but can you lend me a thousand dollars? Use plural pronouns We regret to inform you. Three main stages of favor seeking Favor seeking, or a speaker asking the hearer for a favor, is a common example of negative politeness strategies in use. Held observes three main stages in favor-seeking: the preparatory phase, the focal phase, and the final phase: The preparatory phase is when the favor-seeking is preceded by elaborate precautions against loss of face to both sides. It often involves signals of openings and markers to be used to clarify the situation (e.g. 'You see,' or 'so,'). The request is often softened, made less direct, and imposing (e.g. past continuous 'I was wondering'; informal tag 'What d'you reckon?). The speaker must also reduce his own self-importance in the matter and exaggerate the hearer's (down-scaling compliments). The focal stage is subdivided into elements such as asker's reasons or constraints (e.g. 'I've tried everywhere but can't get one'), the other's face (e.g. 'You're the only person I can turn to'), and more. The third stage is the final stage which consists of anticipatory thanks, promises, and compliments (e.g. 'I knew you would say yes. You're an angel.'). McCarthy and Carter provide an example of negative politeness using the following dialogue from the Australian television soap opera, "Neighbours": Clarrie: So I said to him, forget your books for one night, throw a party next weekend. Helen: A party at number 30! What will Dorothy say about that? Clarrie: Well, what she doesn't know won't hurt her. Of course, I'll be keeping my eye on things, and (SIGNAL OF OPENING) that brings me to my next problem. (EXPLAIN PROBLEM) You see, these young people, they don't want an old codger like me poking my nose in, so I'll make myself scarce, but I still need to be closer to hand, you see. So, (ASK FAVOR) I was wondering, would it be all right if I came over here on the night? What d'you reckon? Helen: Oh, Clarrie, I... Clarrie: Oh (MINIMIZATION) I'd be no bother. (REINFORCE EXPLANATION) It'd mean a heck of a lot to those kids. Helen: All right. Clarrie: (THANK WITH BOOST) I knew you'd say yes. You're an angel,