On 2/1/2012 1:07 PM, Warp wrote:
>    "Do you mind if I come in?"
>    "Yes, of course."
>
>    Uh... Yes, you mind, or yes, I can come in?
>
>    "Do you mind if I come in?"
>    "No, not at all."
>
>    Hmm, no. you don't mind, or no, I cannot come on?
>
>    It seems that the answer to any "do you mind" question can be either
> "yes" or "no", but the meaning cannot be deduced from the answer and
> instead it has to be inferred from the tone of voice or the speaker.
> You could just as well answer "banana" and it would carry as much
> meaning without the tone of voice.
>

Do you mind if I add a comment?

I run into this all of the time - it's mildly frustrating and amusing at 
the same time.

When I respond to such a question I try to make it clear what my 
response is.  Sometimes I use it to joke with another person.

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