Friends and family alike have recently commented in astonishment on my newly adopted vernacular! “Do one thing”, the over-use of the address “sir” for everyone and ending many sentences with the word “only” have all weasled their way into my day-to-day speech. Worrying! Worst of all, I have found my head bobbing/nodding sideways everytime I agree with someone now!
Somebody, please do one thing, and make this stop! I am losing control of my English shenglish!

Great observation!

and oh.. Do one thing, try getting a your book filmed into a hollywood movie . :p

And then I would realize.. oops – gora! wouldnt have ever heard of this!

ever heard of “pre-poning”??… its actually advancing..

while at summer school i would say “haan” (yes) all the time not realizing its hindi!

When I first heard this phrase (I’m from Australia) I thought it was characteristic of one elderly gentleman I’d met. It just seemed so quirky. Though meant to be helpful, it somehow made me feel uneasy because it seemed like I was being commanded. I’ve since learned that Indians speaking English often come across as if commanding you to sit or stand or wait, or do whatever. When I kept hearing “do one thing” I started to find it amusing as I realized it was just a useful phrase. I live in Orissa and I have to admit I still react badly in certain conversations because I think people are commanding me, but it’s just the way people speak.