2.3.

1 Positive Politeness
Positive Politeness strategies addressed to the hearer’s positive face range over sets of
structures that can only be interpreted as ‘polite’ in the presence of the face-threat itself.
Positive politeness contains of 15 strategies, Watts (2003: 89) as seen bellow:
1. Notice, attend to Hearer (her/his interests, wants, needs, goods)
(Strategy 1): Jim, you’re really good at solving computer problems.
(Face Threatening Act/ FTA): I wonder you if you could just help me with a little
formatting problem I’ve got.
2. Exaggerate (interest, approval, sympathy with H).
(Strategy 2): Good old Jim. Just the man I wanted to see. I knew I’d find you here.
(FTA): Could you spare me a couple of minutes?
3. Intensify interest to the hearer in the speaker’s contribution.
(Strategy 3): You’ll never guess what Fred told me last night. This is right up your
street.
(FTA): [begins a narrative]
4. Use in-group identity markers in speech.
(Strategy 4): Here’s my old mate Fred. How are you doing today, mate?
(FTA): Could you give us a hand to get this car to start?
5. Seek agreement in safe topic.
(Strategy 5): I agree. Right. Manchester United played really badly last night, didn’t
they?
(FTA): D’you reckon you could give me a cigarette?
6. Avoid disagreement.
(Strategy 6): Well, in a way, I supposed you’re sort of right. But look at it like this.
(FTA): Why don’t you . . .?
7. Presuppose, raise, assert common ground.
(Strategy 7): People like me and you, Bill, don’t like being pushed around like that, do
we?
(FTA): Why don’t you go and complain?
8. Joke to put the hearer at ease.
(Strategy 8): Great summer we’re having. It’s only rained five times a week on
average.
(FTA): Could I ask you for a favor?
9. Assert or presuppose knowledge of and concern for hearer’s wants.
 (Strategy 9): I know you like marshmallows, so I’ve brought you home a whole box of
them.
(FTA): I wonder if I could ask you for a favor. . .
10. Offer, promise.
(Strategy 10): I’ll take you out to dinner on Saturday.
(FTA): If you will cook the dinner this evening.
11. Be optimistic that the hearer wants what the speaker wants, i.e. that the FTA is
slight.
(Strategy 11): I know you’re always glad to get a tip or two on gardening. Fred.
(FTA): so, if I were you, I wouldn’t cut your lawn back so short.
12. Include both S and H in the activity.
(Strategy 12): I’m feeling really hungry. Let’s stop for a bite.
(FTA): S wants to stop and have something to eat and wants to get H to agree to do
this.
13. Give or ask for reasons.
(Strategy 13): I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink, Jim.
(FTA): Why not stay at our place this evening?

14. Assert reciprocal exchange or tit for tat.

Dad,  (FTA) if you help me with my math homework (strategy 14) I’ll mow the
lawn after school tomorrow.
15. Give gifts to H (goods, sympathy, understanding, cooperation).
A: (Strategy 15) Have a glass of malt whisky, Dick.
B: Terrific! Thanks.
A: Not at all.  (FTA) I wonder if I could confide in you for a minute or two.

2.3.2 Negative Politeness

Negative politeness being addressed to her or his negative face, this not say anything
about whether one participant evaluates this politeness positively while another might give a
negative assessment.
Negative politeness contains of 10 strategies, Watts (2003: 89) as seen bellow:
16. Be conventionally indirect.
(Strategy 1): Could you tell me the time, please?
17. Do not assume willingness to comply. Question, hedge.
 (Strategy 2): I wonder whether I could just sort of ask you a little question.
18. Be pessimistic about ability or willingness to comply. Use the subjunctive.
(Strategy 3): If you had a little time to spare for me this afternoon, I’d like to talk
about my paper.
19. Minimize the imposition.
(Strategy 4): Could I talk you for just a minute?
20. Give deference.
(Strategy 5): (to a police constable) Excuse me, officer. I think I might have parked in
the wrong place.
21. Apologize.
(Strategy 6): Sorry to bother you, but . . .
22. Impersonalize the speaker and the hearer. Avoid the pronouns I and you.
(Strategy 7):
A: That car’s parked in a no-parking area.
B: It’s mine, officer.
A: Well, it’ll have to have a parking ticket.
23. State the FTA as an instance of a general rule.
(Strategy 8): Parking on the double yellow lines is illegal, so  (FTA) I’m going to
give you a fine.
24. Nominalise to distance the actor and add formality.
(Strategy 9): Participation in an illegal demonstration is punishable by law.  (FTA):
Could I have your name and address, madam?
25. Go on record as incurring a debt, or as not indebting H.
(FTA): If you could just sort out a problem I’ve got with my formatting, (strategy 10)
I’ll buy you a beer at lunchtime.