'I don't care' - 'I don't mind': A British and American English difference
60,447 views ・ 2016-03-08
Please double-click on the English subtitles below to play the video.
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Would you like tea, or coffee?
I don't mind. I don't care.
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This video's about a curious difference between
American and British English.
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I'm American.
Yes, Jay's American and I'm British.
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And this video's about a family argument.
Yes. It's about how Jay uses the phrase
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'I don't care'.
No, it's about how you use the phrase 'I don't mind'.
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Do you want to tell them or shall I?
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I don't care.
Then let me begin.
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When you offer us two alternatives, two possibilities,
British and American people respond in different
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ways.
Would you like tea, or coffee?
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I don't mind.
I don't care.
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We both mean we're happy with either alternative,
but our responses are different. So same intentions
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but different responses - that can lead to
misunderstandings.
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01:14
Let's go to the cinema tonight.
You mean the movies.
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There's that comedy with Sandra Bullock, and
that one with Robert De Niro.
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Which do you fancy. I don't care.
You don't want to go then? No, I don't care.
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All right then. We won't go.
What did I do?
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In American 'I don't care' means I'm happy
with either possibility. You can decide because
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I like both alternatives.
If we say 'I don't care' in British English,
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it probably means we're apathetic - we're not interested.
'I don't care' sounds negative.
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What would you like for dinner?
Spaghetti or an omelette?
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02:01
Oh I don't care.
I don't care is often rude in British English.
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We'd say 'I don't mind'.
What do you want for dinner?
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Spaghetti or an omelette?
I don't mind.
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02:17
What?
'I don't mind' makes no sense in American
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English. It's the answer to the question 'Do
you mind'?' like 'Do you mind if I have the
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last cookie?' You can answer 'No, I don't
mind' or 'Actually, I want it'. But if I ask
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'Do you want this or that?' and you answer
'I don't mind' you're answering a question
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I didn't ask, and it drives me crazy.
Would you like red wine or white wine?
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I don't mind.
But which do you want?
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OK everyone, we're finished. Now let's go and see that movie.
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You want to see it?
Yeah.
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Great!
Now, do you want to walk or take the bus?
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03:02
Oh I don't mind.
Well make up your mind!
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Why? You can decide.
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