History Main / PermissionToSpeakFreely

* Several characters from ''{{Battlestar Galactica}}'' say this, especially Starbuck.

* Also occurs on {{Caprica}}, when an STO officer grants Lacy Rand this during a questioning.

* ''{{Bleach}}'' anime episode #210. During the captain's meeting, Head Captain Yamamoto orders Captain Unohana to remain in the Seireitei and be ready to take care of any wounded. She asks for permission to speak, then asks if it wouldn't be better for her to go with the other investigating captains to the scene of the disappearances where there are more likely to be injuries to be healed. Head Captain Yamamoto declines her request: they can't risk her because of the uncertainty of the situation.

* The very MildlyMilitary aliens on ''ThirdRockFromTheSun'' occasionally used variations of this. In one episode, Sally was exasperated with Dick's command decisions and came up with the particularly memorable, "Dick, permission to bitch?!" (He grants it.)

* The very MildlyMilitary aliens on ''ThirdRockFromTheSun'' occasionally used variations of this. In one episode, Sally was exasperated with Dick's command decisions and came up with the particularly memorable, "Sir, permission to bitch?!"

* ''{{Starcraft}}'': A Terran Marine says this during the tutorial level if you move someplace instead of attack-moving.

In the military, due to the chain of command, there is rarely a time where a rank and file soldier can speak his mind without disrespecting his superior. Cue this phrase. If the commander grants the request, it is understood that the soldier will not be disciplined for anything he says. This is often adapted to "Permission to do X," if used for comedic effect. A similar phrase, "off the record," can be used for similar purposes.

-->Lt. Bud Roberts, Jr.: [seeing Mac in her swimsuit] Permission to speak freely, Ma'am?
-->Maj. Sarah 'Mac' [=MacKenzie=]: Of course.
-->Lt. Bud Roberts, Jr.: WOW!

* ''StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan''. Saavik to James T. Kirk after TheKobayashiMaru test.

* In ''[[StarTrekNewFrontier Gods Above]]'', Kebron rather abruptly tells Calhoun, "when we first met, I didn't like you." Calhoun, slightly taken aback, points out that usually, one asks for PermissionToSpeakFreely first; he invariably grants it ([[MilitaryMaverick under the circumstances, he'd have to, or he'd look like a howling hypocrite]]), but "it's the thought that counts."
** In an earlier book, this is Shelby's reaction to learning that Calhoun will be commanding the ''Excalibur'':

* ''{{Bleach}}'' anime episode #210. During the captain's meeting, Head Captain Yamamoto orders Captain Unohana to remain in the Seireitei and be ready to take care of any wounded. She asks for permission to speak, then asks is if it wouldn't be better for her to go with the other investigating captain to the scene of the disappearances where there are more likely to be injuries to be healed. Head Captain Yamamoto declines her request: they can't risk her because of the uncertainty of the situation.

* In ''TheOne'', the junior [[TimePolice MVA Agent]], Evan Funsch, repeatedly asks his partner for permission long after having started to speak.

* A [[{{Starcraft}} Terran Marine]] says this during the tutorial level if you move someplace instead of attack-moving.
* In ''{{Psychonauts}}'', Razputin asks Coach Oleander for permission to speak freely when Oleander's badmouthing Sacha Noin, permission Oleander promptly denies.

* In RedVsBlue, this is almost Grifs catchprhase.
-->"Permission to speak freely, sir? Thats really fucking gross."
-->"Permission to sigh and walk away Sir?"

Note of caution: using it in RealLife is not a good idea.

* In RedvsBlue, this is almost Grifs catchprhase.

** In the same episode Blackadder passes one of George's painting off as his own, with George unable to reveal the truth because Blackadder repeatedly denies his increasingly desperate requests for permission to speak at all, culminating with "Permission to jolly well speak right now sir, otherwise I might just burst like a bally balloon."

* ''TheWestWing'' episode ''Dead Irish Poets'', has First Lady Abbey Bartlet having a private talk with some of the women staffers about the impending possible suspension of her medical license, and C.J. asks permission to talk to Abbey, and not the First Lady. Abbey gives permission, but doesn't like what C.J. tells her, and switches back to being the First Lady. A bit later Donna pipes in with: