Can anyone explain the use of 'self'?

[Minimammoth]

Why don't people simply use you or me anymore? It is always yourself , or 'send it back to myself' ...er is yourself different in someway to you. A kind of elf that works on your behalf perhaps.

[MirandaGoshawk]

This drives me nuts too. Insurance companies and the like, they must think it sounds posh, or that saying 'you' is too personal maybe. I did once find myself (oo er!) correcting someone who had got her knickers in a twist by saying that herself was going to send a form to myself, so I said 'Send it to MEEEEE' but am sure that she just thought I was a loon.

I've had some recent dealings with a company in Scotland and I get the impression that it's just part of the way they speak rather than a recent affectation.

[tethersend]

God, it's bloody everywhere.

I work for social services, and my inbox is drowning in selves.

[Minimammoth]

I would like to thank yourselves for replying to myself. < I am doing this as therapy..wise nodding>

[ThreeBeeOneGee]

I hate it when people do this. It's as if they're trying to sound more 'official' or professional or something, but it has the opposite effect.

DS3's Y1 teacher did it all the time. He's lucky I didn't punch himself.

[tethersend]

YY, it's people trying to sound grandiose and official, but actually sounding like they're old men in a pub in rural Ireland. In the fifties.

[Minimammoth]

That'll be a guiness for yourself then Tether.

[tethersend]

Haha, it's Terry Wogan

[cornypedicure]

I haven't noticed the 'self' business but I hate it when people use
'x and I' in an informal conversation.
Half the time it's used incorrectly anyway.

[mercury7]

I find it irritating, I think people do it to sound sophisticated, to me it sounds over elaborate and pompous

[Butterflywgs]

THANK YOU! I can't stand this.

[caroldecker]

the first three of these all expalin when it is appropriate

[JessieMcJessie]

Miranda. It is NOT the way we all speak in Scotland!

I live in a former British colony where it is not uncommon to see a letter beginning "Further to our conversation with your good selves". " Good" does not make it any better .

I once agonised over choosing a financial advisor. Wrote to the one I picked and his email came back "I am very pleased that you have decided to transfer your business to myself". I was a hair's breadth from firing him instantly.


It's hyper correction by people who were taught not to say " me and John went to the shop". They get all scared of "me" . As they bloody should be, if I get a hold of them

[imademarion]

DS3's Y1 teacher did it all the time. He's lucky I didn't punch himself.

I feel your pain.

I took my kids out to supper last night and was asked, "so, what can I get for yourselves?"

And later, "if there's anything else, just ask myself."

Theirselves didn't care as they were snarfing bread, ourselves did a little look between us.

[campion]

It's because lots of people don't know when to use 'I' and 'me' in a sentence, so overcompensate.

I feel your pain too, Jessie.I regularly am confronted with notices telling me to 'speak to Mildred or I' or 'have a word with myself' ... and I'm a teacher!

[AlyssB]

Recruitment Agencies. I work in HR and they call all the time trying to sell me candidates and they are the WORSE culprits for this. It makes me very cross!

[PoppyAmex]

"I work in HR and they call all the time trying to sell me candidates and they are the WORSE culprits for this."

Shouldn't they be the "WORST"?

[WestieMamma]

I can't read this thread as it's making me twitch.