to say "pardon?"

[matildamatilda]

So I'm American and in the US it's not rude to say "What?" when someone calls you or when you didn't hear something.

It's informal, but not at all rude. Especially if you say it in a pleasant tone. So kids wouldn't be told off for answering "what?" the way they are here. It's just "what" as in "what did you say?"

Since I've lived here I've been training myself to say "Pardon?" but I just can't get the hang of it. It sounds kind of... supercilious maybe? Huffy? Am I just not pulling it off?

I usually end up saying, "Here I am, " or "Sorry did you say something?"

Do you say "pardon"?

Lordy, I hate the obsession with class in southern England Britain.

You see, to me, 'what' sounds rude, posh person or not. In fact, some of the rudest people I've ever met have been posh!

And as for the whole lavatory/toilet/bathroom business. I say lavvy.

Pardon is the direct opposite of posh btw

I completely agree that 'what' is correct. I would never say 'pardon'.

But why is it that words such as pardon/serviette/toilet are still considered ill mannered when other French words have been accepted? For example mirror. Not many people still say looking glass, do they?

La v is terribly posh! I read too much jilly cooper and nancy Mitford as a girl

What sounds rude to me, and lazy.
"Whaaaatttt?" Not nice
I say pardon or what did you say?
I'm not in the least but posh, but I do gave manners.

A lot of posh people say 'bog' as well. I once heard Prince Harry say he was 'off to the bog'

3 bats if some one calls me from downstairs or says my name to get my attention I say..."yes" . "What" is just rude.
Pardon is used if I have not heard what somebody was saying.

Now if someone asked me where the 'lavatory' was I would think they were vair posh (or that they were a mumsnetter trying desperately not to sound 'lower middle class' )

I was taught to say pardon first but I now tend to say pardon, sorry, etc but never what!

I'm struggling to see how pardon = begging forgiveness but sorry doesn't!

The English language is a funny thing. A lot of it is just regional dialect and what our parents taught us to say. It means nothing.

I actually think its far more Hyacinth Bouquet to judge others and wince over the words they use and to care if people don't think you're U. Besides, surely language evolves?

Here you go OP, try this test! I got 70 U, must try harder.

www.okcupid.com/tests/the-u-or-non-u-test

Can we have a list of U and non-U words please?

I was taught never to say pardon' and it's a banned word in this house.

It's actually vair common to use 'pardon'. Like toilet and dessert.

Oh Lord I've just come from the ta or thank you thread....this is more class and culture than I can take in one evening!!!

I got 80 Disappointed, but as the test result itself says, doesn't really denote class anymore.

Pardon.

Not trying to sound posh - trying not to sound ignorant. 'What' is ignorant.

I'd expect them to say 'Yes' as 'What' sounds rude, posh doesn't come in to it

Pardon is an awful word. It's 'what' in this house.

Due to an earlier thread on MN I looked this up. I cna't find it now, but it said that pardon was lower middle class english. Upper middle say sorry or what?

And I'm with the Americans on the toilet/bathroom.

IMO is more common/ignorant to sneer than it is to say pardon

What sounds rude to me, and lazy.
"Whaaaatttt?" Not nice
I say pardon or what did you say?
I'm not in the least but posh, but I do gave manners.
My manners are impeccable. As is my use of language.

You are related to Lords, I wouldn't expect anything less

I'm from the London and I am certainly not posh at all! Saying 'pardon' comes naturally to me, although, because of my accent, when I say it it sounds like 'puddn?' I do think 'what' usually sounds rude. I probably use it from time to time with close friends/family etc., but I wouldn't use it to someone I'm not close with, a definitely not to a stranger.

Either 'what' or 'sorry' is correct, though 'sorry' is more polite.

'Pardon' can also be used, but is thought by some to be a bit common, as are 'serviette' instead of 'napkin' and 'dessert' instead of 'pudding'.

However I doubt many people will care which of the three words you use, providing your tone is polite.

And I agree with Profondo, some of the rudest people I have met have been posh and have used 'what?' too.

I say what, pardon and sorry in approximately equal measure overall.
I use 'what' more at home, as for me it is more informal. I'm conscious that many people consider 'what' to be a little rude so I almost subconsciously use 'pardon' with people I know less well. I would be much rather be thought common than rude.