Why do people when they buy cigarettes say “I need” instead of “Can I get” or “I would like”?

[smahala1991]

Cigarettes are a want not a need, get it right!

[frenchgirl123]

It's simply an expression, who cares as long they're polite about it? The tone is way more important than the words used. You could be mean and say their approach in asking to buy cigarettes is a class indicator of how educated a person is (not that this is always correct either). We should also take into consideration their language proficiency, if they're a beginner it is simpler and easier to say "I need..." than "Can I purchase a...". Just trying to be logical.

[jennifer_bloom]

A lot of people communicate at the emotional level and not the technical level. Strong desires get interpreted as needs cause not getting those desires leads to discomfort, conflict or shame, even if the consequences are short term or they are voluntarily placed there through previous decisions.

[adventurous-1]

simple, their addicted and actually do need their fix. it's been proven that nicotine is extremely addictive, as much as some other drugs and when faced with death some people still refuse to quit. That's the absolute truth and far surpasses a want! get that right.

[SotiCoto]

Why do people ask "why do people" questions about things only a small sub-set of people actually do and phrase it as though it were ubiquitous?

Dunno. Why don't you go ask those who do that?

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Yes, I agree with you

[HawkPerception]

The nicotine addiction is strong with those ones.

[NathanDavis]

well. good thing you don't know addictions... lol

[7Phoenix7]

I need you tonight

[NathanDavis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atz_aZA3rf0

[7Phoenix7]

I never get enough

[Fireguy17]

Nicotine is highly addictive, some say it is worse than cocaine plus they put stuff in them to make it even more addictive.

[Guacamole409]

The cigarette people claim they didn't know this.

[Fireguy17]

@Guacamole409 they are the ones putting that crap in them.
Of course they know.
On one hand the government is telling us they will kill us, and with the other hand they are collecting billions in taxes on the sale of them
Pretty good racket, and they have actually subsidized tobacco farmers in the past as well.

[noohair]

When you are addicted to nicotine it is a need. When you wake up is it, I want coffee or I need coffee?

[msc545]

Nicotine is addictive, and an addiction is a NEED.

[matheus_mb]

Because they're addicted to it

[FunkyMonkee]

They're addicted!

[Ms_Facesitter]

People who are addicted feel like they Need it.

[Dongie]

Let me guess, you don't use tobacco.

[smahala1991]

Nope I don’t tbh

[Dongie]

That's why you don't understand that need. Most wish they never started, if not all. So, I'm going to get the stuff you feel the need, not the want.

[Anonymous]

Because addiction is a terrible disease

[yes_goddess]

It sounds kind of rude

[jahaims]

Autism