Either, the use of in the English language.

Dano · 11 Jul 2009 at 13:27

Right, had some guy attempt to correct my english at work last night and I'm not convinced he is right at all so I call upon the knowledgeable patrons of OcUK.

Customer: "I'd like a box of matches or a cigarette lighter"

Me: "I have both so you can have either"

Customer: "You mean or, I can have matches or a lighter."

Me: "Erm no, I have both matches and lighters available and as such you can have either of them."

Ignoring the proviso that the customer is always right was I incorrect to use either is such a context?

Oh, and then Athlete came in and bought some Monster Munch

whitecrook · 11 Jul 2009 at 13:30

You shouldn't have said anything, and just given the customer a box of matches or a cigarette lighter. It's not hard.

Dano · 11 Jul 2009 at 13:32

whitecrook said:
You shouldn't have said anything, and just given the customer a box of matches or a cigarette lighter. It's not hard.

Constructive...

Missing.String · 11 Jul 2009 at 13:36

I would've said they both imply that the articles are mutually exclusive and therefore it doesn't matter, but then I fail at english.

Farore · 11 Jul 2009 at 13:38

You were correct, but why argue with someone who wants a lighter or match?

Saundie · 11 Jul 2009 at 13:39

I can't think of any context where saying "I have both so you can have or" makes any sense, so I guess you were right. Why the customer saw the need to "correct" you regardless of whether you were in error or not makes no sense to me. You should have drop kicked him over the counter for insulting you.

Dano · 11 Jul 2009 at 13:40

Farore said:
You were correct, but why argue with someone who wants a lighter or match?

Because of his attitude to be honest, he clearly thought I was some sort of idiot just because I was working the night shift in a fuel station.

me227 · 11 Jul 2009 at 13:43

I'd say you were correct but either would be fine.

Wiki said:
Either/or means "one or the other." It usage versus the simple or structure is often for emphatic purposes, sometimes intending to emphasize that only one option is possible, or to emphasize if there are only two options. Its use in a sentence lets the reader/listener know in advance that a list of two or more possibilities will be given. Its negative is neither/nor, meaning "none of them".

semi-pro waster · 11 Jul 2009 at 14:08

You were correct to use either there, I'm not sure why the customer thought they were right to correct you.

xiphrex · 11 Jul 2009 at 14:13

After his incorrect correction of your english, I would have said "OK you can have neither now, so **** off"

Hellsmk2 · 11 Jul 2009 at 14:21

You were right and he was an arse.

D D Danneh · 11 Jul 2009 at 14:26

Both were right.

"I have both, so you can have either"
"I have both, so you can have the matches or a lighter"

He was just being a glute and trying to seem superior. I'd have got the lighter out and set his comb-over on fire.

J86 · 11 Jul 2009 at 14:27

xiphrex said:
After his incorrect correction of your english, I would have said "OK you can have neither now, so **** off"

Dano · 11 Jul 2009 at 14:30

xiphrex said:
After his incorrect correction of your english, I would have said "OK you can have neither now, so **** off"

I was this >.< close.

gillywibble · 11 Jul 2009 at 14:36

He'll burn your house down.

Burnsy2023 · 11 Jul 2009 at 15:26

Dano said:
Ignoring the proviso that the customer is always right

The customer isn't always right, far from it, they're often idiots who spout BS.

However, the customer is always the customer.