This is an All Ears English podcast episode 2656.
Why not be more spontaneous in English?
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Are you someone who is up for anything?
In today's episode learn the true meaning of the phrase why not and find out how to use it to be open to spontaneous things in your life.
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Hey michelle should we record three more episodes today what do you think
Yeah, why not?
Let's do it.
We record a lot of this podcast.
So why not, Michelle?
We do.
Whether it's three, if it's six at this point.
What's the difference, right?
Yeah, we just love all our single.
We love being behind the mic here chatting with each other.
So Michelle, what are we getting into on the episode today?
So today we are going to talk about what people mean when they say, why not?
Right?
So that's what I said to you when you said, should we record three more episodes today?
And I said, why not?
Which seems a little bit like...
Did I mean yes?
Did I mean no?
Because when we say why not here, Lindsay, is it the typical way of asking, like, does it mean what we think of why not to mean?
It depends on the context.
It can be a totally genuine yes.
It can also be like, are you crazy?
It can be sarcastic.
It can be a lot of things, in my opinion.
What do you think, Michelle?
Yeah, I mean, but I think typically in a textbook, you know, our listeners have probably heard
Why not?
And they think of, oh, can we do this?
No.
Why not?
Right.
Asking why something can't be done.
Oh, right.
So that's kind of, I would say, like the traditional way.
So we're teaching you that why not can actually be pretty versatile and fun.
Mm hmm.
Yeah, kind of playful.
Is that what you mean by fun?
Yeah, pretty playful.
It's just not necessarily what you always see in your textbooks.
So, guys, we are giving you the real English over here and just a different way that you can use this because, Lindsay, when I told you what this episode was going to be about, you said, oh, I say this a lot.
Yeah.
I do.
I feel like I do.
Yeah.
In everyday life.
So this is a place where your textbooks may have led you astray, right?
Or may have given you the very literal definition.
Right.
We're going to show you how it comes out in culture and society and real life, right?
Real life English here.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, we're going to talk about why it's so natural and why it can really be great for connection.
And even past this episode, we could continue talking about this for different contexts.
But let's give it a start today.
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We do five episodes a week.
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Right yeah why not why not just why not guys okay so yeah why not one of the ways that it can be used is in a in a certain way at a certain time it can basically mean an enthusiastic yes
It's kind of like saying, well, why wouldn't we?
Or there's no reason not to.
Or of course we should, right?
It's that same kind of sentiment, don't you think?
Yeah.
And we can do a different episode another day on why wouldn't we?
Why wouldn't you?
I hear people using that construction a lot.
But that could come another day.
So sometimes it's used when someone is suggesting something a little different maybe, right?
Where it's a little out of the box.
So you're saying, sure, I'm up for it.
I'm up for anything, right?
Or it could also just be something basic, neutral, just a thing.
Yeah.
So let's show our listeners how this might sound with a couple little mini role plays.
Yeah.
So should we stop for ice cream before we head back?
Why not?
I've been eating so much ice cream lately, Michelle.
Did I tell you I did an ice cream making class?
No.
Oh my gosh.
We did this ice cream making class at a local creamery.
And it was really fun.
They showed us how to, you know, how to make the mix, what goes into it.
And then you could put your own toppings in to load up your own ice cream with toppings.
But the problem is they, you left this class with like, I think eight, like eight quarts or 10 quarts each of ice cream.
Oh, my goodness.
We have so much ice cream in our freezer.
And we can't, there's no way we can eat it all.
Oh, my gosh.
Wait, okay.
I have to hear more.
But I'll hear more another time.
Of course, more, more.
But I'm curious, is it all the same flavor?
Yeah.
So they had theme night.
So the night that we went to was chocolate night.
Oh, well, that's perfect for you.
Yeah.
Most of the more popular nights are vanilla nights.
I don't know why, but they are.
I don't get that.
Yeah.
So yeah.
So it was chocolate, chocolate base.
And then you could make your own kind of flavor with all the toppings they give you to put into your own ice cream.
So I just loaded mine up Ben and Jerry style, Michelle.
I mean, I just loaded it up.
I want to hear what's everything Reese's pieces.
There's Oreo, there's a cookie dough, white chocolate chips.
I mean, really good stuff.
Oh my gosh.
So were they like, oh, I know, I wish you could.
So I feel like they probably said, oh, and you can add this.
And maybe you said to your partner, why not?
Should we add this?
Why not?
Well, that's how I felt.
I mean, they were sitting right in front of me.
Why wouldn't I add all those toppings in there?
That's how I am.
I am always – even at a salad bar, just put a little more.
Why not?
Let's just – That's a great use of why not, right?
It's like if your attitude is let's indulge.
Like let's just – I have this thing available at my disposal.
There's this cup of –
Peanut butter cups or whatever, in your case, like really good cheese, and you're going to put it on your salad bar, right?
You're going to put it on the salad at the salad bar.
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Exactly.
So I love that one.
All right, here's another one.
Although we could just talk about ice cream.
Should we just wear jeans to the party?
Why not?
I mean, they didn't say anything about a dress code.
Yeah, that's where I would default to as well.
Would you consider inviting Kayla?
Oh, why not?
She's super friendly.
So it shows a sense of openness, openness to trying something new, something different, right?
But you can also use it to report something that happened or even something that you think happened.
For yourself.
So let's explain a little more.
So here's an example.
At first, I really didn't want to go out.
I was already in my pajamas and so tired.
But then I thought, why not live a little?
It ended up being a blast.
Yes, yes.
It's rare to get out of pajamas and go out, but if it happens.
It truly is.
So this is about, you know, a story that I'm telling about what was going in my mind.
Lindsay, do you hear people saying that a lot?
Live a little.
Live a little, for sure.
It's a good one.
It's a good one.
That's a bonus phrase for today.
Just encouraging yourself or encouraging someone else to carpe diem, as they say.
Take advantage of life.
Yes, exactly.
Or what's another example?
I didn't think he liked me, but then he asked me to go out to the movies.
I thought, why not?
He's a nice guy and we have so much fun together.
Yeah.
Right.
So you're essentially rehashing your own inner thinking here.
Right.
Yeah.
This is really interesting here.
Yeah.
So, Michelle, why is this good for connection?
I mean, what is the vibe that comes off of us when we say, why not?
I think.
It's casual it's kind of cool sounding and also yeah it shows that openness um to being maybe a little spontaneous
Maybe you know oh i am getting out of my pajamas and into my clothes to go to this party
Openness yes yeah and i think it's i think when people hear that it's um
It's endearing and makes you likable because it shows that okay this person is not stuck in their ways
I mean we did an episode uh just on episode 2650 about you know flat out nose right and this is more
You know we're talking more about the yeses here why not why not right
Yes, I love it.
It does show it shows that the person's fun and that they maybe you want to get to know them because they do fun things in life.
You're open to things, right?
Right, right.
Let's do a couple other things that you might hear.
So one is might as well.
And this is usually saying you should do something for some reason.
You should do something for some reason.
Let's show our listeners in a role play here.
Hey, want to grab dinner before the show?
Yeah.
Might as well.
There are great restaurants around the theater.
So you're kind of saying like it would be convenient to do that because there are so many good restaurants here as opposed to waiting until you get home and then there's nothing in the fridge.
Right?
Yeah.
Or if we just wait until, you know, just to get snacks at the theater and then there's, you know, we're just sitting eating M&M's for dinner.
Right.
Right.
And then you feel awful.
Yeah.
Totally.
Or let's do it.
Now, let's do it is just when someone asks you if you want to do something and you're all in, right?
This is more typical or traditional, but it's also casual too.
Yeah.
It's kind of casual, I think.
I think so too.
Should we pick up some takeout on the way home?
Let's do it.
I really want to try that new sushi place.
Okay.
Yeah so yeah these just are all ways to say yes i'm open you know i'm not set nothing is set in stone let's try this um so i i really like these and especially why not um
I have noticed myself using it more, like I realize that I use it now since I planned this episode.
Okay, you use it a lot.
Yeah, interesting.
I mean, I think one of the key points here is I know that our listeners really want to become more spontaneous in their language.
But a big part of that is mentality, right?
And these phrases help you to be spontaneous mentally speaking, like open to anything, which language might flow from there.
You know, if you have that attitude, maybe your language also comes out spontaneously.
So there you go.
Interesting.
It's true.
Yeah.
All right.
Should we do a role play?
Yes.
Here we are, friends, and we're at the beach, so what better time to be spontaneous, right?
Okay, here we go.
Should we set up shop here?
Yeah, let's do it.
This is a great spot.
Ooh, that guy is selling lemonade.
Want some?
Why not?
Nothing better on a hot day.
Oh, look at those people playing volleyball.
Should we ask to join?
Oh, might as well.
I love playing volleyball.
It can be contagious, too, when you know you're in the company of someone who is very much up for anything.
I was going to say a yes person, but that means something totally different, doesn't it, Michelle?
It means something completely different.
We could do that in a different episode.
Up for anything is a much better way.
Then you also take on that attitude a little bit.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You're, you're kind of encourage each other.
Um, and you're influenced by, I mean, of course we don't want to be influenced for negative things, but that goes into peer pressure and things like that.
Right.
Yeah.
That's different.
Yeah.
Here we're talking about fun, light things.
Yeah, yeah.
Like adding extra white chocolate chips to your ice cream.
Yeah, we're not talking about like robbing a store here, guys.
Please don't do that.
Oh, gosh.
Let's do it.
No, no, not like that.
Okay.
So I said, should we set up shop here?
So, Lindsay, that's an interesting bonus for today.
What does that mean to set up shop?
And I can see our listeners might have gotten confused because someone over there is selling lemonade.
So are you actually talking about you're going to set up a lemonade stand too or what?
I'm talking about where we're going to put our towels, where we're going to put our stuff down, maybe get an umbrella.
Yeah.
So that's actually, I didn't catch that the first time, but it's really interesting.
You're not selling anything.
You're not setting up a shop.
Okay.
But you are setting up your station, like your home base for the day.
Yeah, your home.
Because that's always what you do when you get to the beach, right?
You got to pick your spot.
You got to put all your junk down.
Yes.
Yes, totally.
It's like camping is similar.
You got to make sure you're in the right spot, the right amount of shade, the right amount of sun, all this stuff.
Should we go over here or should we, or there's too many people over here.
Yeah.
Yeah.
There's always kind of a little like debate back and forth.
It's like, it's just the beach.
Just yeah.
Put your stuff down.
Just sit down.
But yeah, I said, should we set up shop here?
And you said, let's do it.
This is a great spot.
And then you said, oh, that guy is selling lemonade.
Want some?
And I said, why not?
Right?
And that means, yes, I want some.
Why wouldn't I have lemonade?
There's no reason not to.
Exactly.
And then you said, oh, look at those people playing volleyball.
Should we ask to join?
And I said, might as well.
I love playing volleyball.
So
It's convenient.
It's right over here.
I enjoy playing volleyball.
Might as well.
Might as well.
All right, good.
So we are going to have a good day at the beach here because we're clearly up for anything, Michelle.
I mean, exactly.
We're going to have fun.
Yeah.
Guys, go over to 2643 of All Ears English.
The warning signs were there.
How to relate over early indications of a problem.
Kind of the polar opposite feeling of today's episode, right?
Yeah, exactly.
Very interesting to get the whole range of skills in English.
Michelle, what's our takeaway today?
Yeah, takeaway is that I think that openness is kind of contagious.
And this is just such a more unique way of just saying, yeah, sure.
Yes.
It's playful, it's open, and...
You know, sometimes maybe you think, oh, I don't, oh, I typically don't do this or I, but all right, why not?
Right.
And it can be fun.
And then that's sometimes what leads to the best experiences.
Yeah, it's kind of a chance to be a new version of yourself in a way, right?
These phrases give you that way to find a new version of yourself, even if it's just for a day, because you're around someone who is that way, or you try it on for size and see if it fits, right?
An attitude in life.
Interesting.
Yeah, exactly.
All right.
Well, I'm glad we talked about this today.
Should we jump off the mic?
Why not, Michelle?
Why not?
Let's jump off.
You set me up.
You set me up.
I set you up.
I set you up.
All right.
Well, I'll see you in the next one, Michelle.
Take care.
All right.
Bye, Lindsay.
Bye.
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