Cultural Note. In English-American culture it is very important when and to whom one can give a piece of advice

In English-American culture it is very important when and to whom one can give a piece of advice. There are certain phrases and expressions for giving advice: I’d like to ask for your advice on this …, or more often I’d like to know your opinion / what you think about this, or sometimes in conversations I’d like to pick your brains (on this), etc. In this culture it is not expected that a person who has been given advice should follow it. Quite the contrary, a person will listen to your advice and then will do as he /she thinks he /she should. In a conversation people from English-American culture try to avoid phrases and expressions like: Let me give you advice / a piece of advice/ Listen to me. Usually the following phrases and expressions are used: If I were you, I would … I think you should… Why don’t you… I advise you to… I suggest that you should… Maybe you should… It wouldn’t hurt you to… It wouldn’t kill you to.. Could I make a suggestion? Would you mind if I made a suggestion? Would you like me to show you how to… Would you like me to give you…? Would you like to know how…? I have an idea if you’d like to hear it?

If I were you; Perhaps you might (consider saying such and such); Why don’t you try to…; It might not hurt to / be a good idea to … A person who gives advice usually says at the end of the conversation in the following way: But, after all, it’s up to you; It’s your decision; That’s just what I would do; In the last analysis, it’s your problem; You’ve got to decide this for yourself; You’ve got to live with this decision.

People disapprove the advice given to them if they do not ask for it. Besides the phrases and expressions to ask / seek / get your advice, the verb to consult is often used.

I’d like to consult my thesis advisor before submitting this article to a journal.

If she is still in pain next week she’ll need to consult a neurologist.

The Russian expression Не сделать ли бы вам… is rendered

What if you were to / What about your doing…. Perhaps you might do /think of/about/ consider doing…

There are some more useful phrases giving advice:

Take it easy.

Relax. informal; used only among friends