The difference is the relationship with that person. When I lived at home, my mom wanted to know my schedule so that she didn't have to worry about me not coming home when she expected me to, and wanted to know where to reach me when something important came up. With my roommates, they usually asked because they wanted to schedule chores we had to do together. Also, friends I know well might want to know personal things about me without double meaning.
What these all have in common is that I know these people well enough - or rather, they know me well enough, so that when they want to make plans with me they know to ask outrightly, or maybe immediately add an explanation "because I am free and would like to do something" or something like that. Both because it's not too awkward for them to express a wish when it doesn't work out this time, and because they already know me well enough to say things more directly when they have a concrete plan in mind.
The people who might use those indirect invitations are more likely acquaintances or 'new friends'. And for them, if they want to know something about me, it's more likely to ask a general question 'what do you usually do ...?' and not a specific one 'what are your plans for today?'
25 Dec 2009, 1:48 pm
