u/Careless-Being-4427

I don’t recall ever hearing this usage before of the word “may.” I’ve heard three different people use it this way in the past month or so and it’s really jarring to me. For context, I work in a restaurant and I’ve specifically heard coworkers use “may you…” leading to asking for a favor. All 3 people are in their 20s.

Two questions: first, is this a familiar usage to you? Do you use it yourself / hear others use it this way?

Second, why is it so jarring? “Can” “could” “would” and even “might” sound ok in place of “may,” and the intent is certainly clear.

I’m just so puzzled. I don’t normally get worked up about language changing and adapting, in fact it’s one of my favorite things. But I’m totally hung up on this “may.”

Had a table of six women at brunch today. They were fine, pretty normal service. They split the check 5 ways, distributing the birthday girl’s tab among them. Each tipped 18%. Fine, normal.

On the back of each credit card slip was two drawings of Hello Kitty.

I repeat: each of them drew Hello Kitty, twice, on the back of their credit card slip.

I wish I’d had the presence of mind to take pictures, I apologize for not doing that.

That’s all.