Nice friends!
Posted by ESC on January 26, 2004
In Reply to: Nice friends! posted by Lewis on January 26, 2004
: : : : What does it mean by 'be my guest'
: : : nice and easy this one!
: : : 'be my guest' is the English way of saying that a person is welcome and that hospitality is extended to them. that hospitality usually involves making one's resources available - so it is used in the sense of 'help yourself' - make free with my assets.
: : : 'mi casa e su casa' (apologies for spelling) 'my home is your home' is the rule of thumb for hospitality around the world.
: : "Be my guest" is sometimes used sarcastically when you really don't want someone to help himself.
: I can't say that I've heard it used sarcastically - I would have thought 'ironically' would be nearer as there are no wounding words in the expression.
Say you have a box of chocolates and someone takes some without asking. And you say, "Be my guest." That's what I mean.