Grammar and actually paying attention is something of the past in everyday life. When talking to people we respect, admire to, or simply have to answer to them, our way of talking changes. People put up a certain type of filter with who they are with, and change how, and what they say. However, no matter who is speaking to someone, when offered Popsicle, sucker, or something like that and when asked what flavor they want and they say green, purple, and so on, proves something. It could mean that the person doesn’t know the difference between flavors or colors, and the school system has truly failed them and it is amazing that they are in high school and has friends willing to offer them things. Or the more probable explanation is that they weren’t listening to the person offering them something. Green is not a flavor, nor is purple; flavors are watermelon or grape. That is pretty much understood to everyone that is out of elementary school (once again, I say that hoping that there isn’t a person that doesn’t know the difference, but really who knows?). Saying “purple” instead of “grape” isn’t that big of a deal, and people do know what it means. However, it sets a series precedents that change how people think: as long as people know what you mean it doesn’t matter; don’t listen to everything people say as long as you get the general gist; flavors and colors are interchangeable; details are not important.
People need to slow down and actually listen to each other. It will just make you more aware of what is going on around you and make the person asking you feel like you actually care what is being said. You might think that I am being obsessive over this, however as William Feather once said, “Beware of the person who can't be bothered by details.”
And for orange…it’s a self check. You have to mean either the color or the flavor, depending on what’s being asked.
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