What does it mean when someone says...

[PhalangeReginaPhalange]

“I can do” in response to being asked if they want to do something? (I’m being very pedantic here)

Eg-
Do you want to go to the cinema
“I can do”

To me it’s an unusual response that I don’t really understand, does it mean they don’t want to go but will do? Does it mean they haven’t made their mind up?

DH uses it all the time and gets annoyed at me asking for clarification but I think it’s a weird way of answering!

I think it means

It took a little consideration whether I can or not and yes, it turns out I can.

I would assume it means 'sure, I'll tag along'. I have no idea though and am only guessing. I'd feel a little dismissed by the response to be honest, as if they're saying meh.. it's not that exciting of an idea but I've got nothing better to do!

To me it means “ I don’t want to”.

I would take it to mean "I can do... but..."
I would see it as a precursor to a reason why they couldn't really do.

It means

Not keen

I think it means they could in theory, but they don't really want to.

My dad and brother do this! Or answer with 'probably', wtf?! I see it as a non committal answer they think will keep you happy, and therefore shut you up, without having to actually do anything. And then getting annoyed when you want clarification just deflects the topic.......
Drives me nuts too!

It's a northern thing. Means 'yes'....at least that's my experience.

I’m grateful for the responses, this is what I thought but he seems to think it’s a normal way of saying yes he will go to whatever it is

@NoNewsisGood aaahh ok this makes more sense then!

Is your DH from the North East? Is he saying
"I can do."
Or
"Aye, can do."

Yep, Northern thing. I use it; it's another way of saying yes.

I say it and when I do it’s because I’ve just mentally brought up my schedule and checked if I’m free/juggled some things around. As opposed to automatically knowing I’m free to do whatever the thing is.

Just to add I’m also northern and say “can do” which means yes.

I remember my Dutch MIL saying that when she first came to England and lived in Yorkshire, she asked a workman in her house if he would like a cup of tea.
His response of “Thank you, I don’t mind if I do” completely puzzled her. She finally decided it must mean that he didn’t want one!
I think northerners generally are more laconic than southerners - we tend to see enthusiastic responses as a bit gushing, and just reply matter of factly!

I can do BUT I don't want to

It means I'm willing to if that's what you'd like, but I wouldn't choose to on my own volition.

Lifetime Southerner here and would respond “we can do” to mean yes, let’s do that. Would assume if somebody didn’t want to do something they’d make up an excuse!

This is really interesting actually!

@AhhhHereItGoes this is exactly what I thought it meant, that’s why I would be like “well we don’t have to if you don’t want to”

@Daytimesleeper yesss I’m glad someone else gets it haha

When I say it it means I like the idea of doing something but maybe not going to that specific place.
For example:
Friend1 “do you want to go get a coffee in Costa”
Friends 2” yeah can do!” Thinking prefer to go to Starbucks but not going to cause a fuss about it. Especially as I picked where we went last time

My cousin has a really bad habit of saying ‘go on then’

‘Would you like a cup of tea’ - ‘go on then’

‘Do you want me to drive you there?’ - ‘go on then’

‘I’ve brought round some left over crispy creme dough nuts for you and the kids, would you like them? - ‘go on then’

This is a women that has nothing and relies heavily on family to get her through.

It infuriates me. Her kids are the same.

It's a Northern way of saying yes.

"I can do..." to me sounds grudging, ie "... if YOU make it/pay for it/drive us".

Someone I knew used to respond with "Go on then", like I was twisting her arm to do something. I'd rather hear that than "I don't mind" which makes me wince.