to think that its "Wish you were here?" and not...

[PyongyangKipperbang]

...."Wish you were here!"

Stupid discussion with my sister (neither of us can remember how we got onto it!) and we are both convinced that we are right!

I think it is you, the postcard writer, asking the recipient if they are jealous of your lovely holiday and wish that they were there too. My sister says that it is you saying that you wish the recipient was there on hols with you.

Who is right?!

[AcaciaYou]

I thought it was your version with the question mark too, op.

[EsmesBees]

The only context I've ever heard this phrase was the old holiday programme with the question mark. So I've always assumed the same as you OP.

[PyongyangKipperbang]

Hah!!

Three people agree with me so I have decided that we are right and everyone else is wrong :o

[steppemum]

your sister.
I can see your logic, but I have always assume it was a nice senitment - we wish you were here.

[user1484317265]

Neither of you is more right. You could write either on your postcard and mean whatever it is you mean.

The TV show was Wish you were here?, as the entire point was to make you wish you were there, and go on holiday! That doesn't mean anything about the sentiment people mean in general when they say it though.

[KoalaDownUnder]

I'm sorry, but it's another vote for your sister.

(Do you not know your Pink Floyd, then?! )

[ScruffyTheJanitor]

I believe, and etymology is fun, that the original sentiment was,
'Having a lovely time, wish you were here'

Which meant the sender was thinking about the recipient. Which is the reason they were sending the card, because they were thinking of the recipient and missed them.

Interestingly, most people associate picture postcards with the UK seaside. But the US adopted the first picture post Ards that could be sent through regular mail. They did this at a rate lower than a usual letter. This made them a popular way of making contact with family and friends. Eventually the picture postcard became associated with vacationing and souvenirs.
Also interestingly, the most famous example of a picture post card was hand made by the sender (whose name escapes me right now) that post card was sent with a picture that mocked the postal service. It was sent in england with a 'Penny black' stamp and it was last sold for over £30,000!

For all this and more, please consult your local library.....
Or google.

In fact, don't bother. Just have a cuppa and watch telly.

[PyongyangKipperbang]

What I know about Pink Floyd can be written on an atom, so no I dont :o

[PyongyangKipperbang]

Actually I know that they did Brick in the Wall with that frankly fucking weird video, and did an album that everyone bangs on about (Dark Side of the Moon?) but thats the sum total of my knowledge!

[PollyCazaletWannabe]

This thread reminds me of the old joke: 'the weather's here, wish you were beautiful!'

[SukeyTakeItOffAgain]

Well that was pretty unanimous wasn't it Pyongyang :o

[d270r0]

Yas your sister is right. Its you saying you wish the other person was there with you.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

Your sister is definitely right.

It's an 'I'm having an amazing time and the only thing that could enhance it further would be your presence' type of thing not a 'Ha ha sucker, I'm having a great time bet you're soooo jealous'.

[Twistmeandturnme]

The telly programme was a review show with positive and negative reviews, hence the ? at the end.
The postcard phrase is definitely the positive ! not gloaty ?

[estateagentfromhell]

Your sister's correct - the show was called 'Wish you were here...?' because it was basically reviewing various destinations and hotels etc, i.e. to establish whether they were any good or not! (i.e. there was an element of questioning about it)

[deydododatdodontdeydo]

“Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.”

The number of people who thought Hitler was right did not make him right.
However: you're wrong :)

[estateagentfromhell]

The fact that you even thought that the gloaty interpretation was correct actually makes me quite sad - is that really how far the narcissism and self promotion of the internet age has gone?

[quencher]

I think it could be both.

You wish you were here, don't you ? Your sis asking for whether you wish to be on holiday with her or not.

Or

You wish you were here! Not asking but telling you about how you feel. Used like a phrase. I think sometimes shortened to "you wish!"

The sentence is determined by the contest of the postcard. I think?
I could be wrong.

[ageingrunner]

Your sister is right!
It made me think of this though 'weather is here, wish you were lovely' to be used on a postcard to one's ex

[UnexplainedOnHerCollar]

Oh I love the song "Wish you were here" (hate PF generally but a great song).

I never, ever considered the "Bet you wish you were here" type reading! It means "I wish you were here on holiday with me" IMO but then I always thought it sounded really fake too – in most cases you probably don't wish they were at all.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

'The fact that you even thought that the gloaty interpretation was correct actually makes me quite sad - is that really how far the narcissism and self promotion of the internet age has gone?'

Bit OTT. A bitchy 'wish you were here?' is what I can imagine Lucia writing on a postcard to Miss Mapp,

[AnnieAnoniMouse]

Your sister of course!

It's wishing the person was with you, not being nasty. Well, for us nice people anyway, I guess it's up to you if you want to go around being spiteful. How bizarre. (Yes, I know you don't actually send postcards).

[dollydaydream114]

Your sister is correct - it's meant to express a wish that the person was on holiday with you.

It's not meant to be saying 'Don't you wish you could have a holiday like mine?' That would be quite obnoxious, actually.

[QuinionsRainbow]

Your sister. Proper use of the subjunctive.

[Isitjustmeorisiteveryoneelse]

dolly thanks for the first proper lol of the day!
I got all excited cos I thought this was a Pink Floyd thread.....