"didn't have plans" or "don't have plans"

[ChrisZhao]

Hello,

I'm confused by the B's answer in the following conversation.

Why does B use past simple tense in "I didn't have any big plans"?
Could he or she say "I don't have any big plans"?

If so, what is the difference?

Conversation:
A: Hey, Robert, what are you doing this weekend?
B: I didn't have any big plans.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I think the present tense would be better.

 

[ChrisZhao]

But I also noticed the past simple tense was used a lot.

Another sentense - "let's have a plan."

I believe the word "have" here means "make". It's an action verb.

So I guess maybe the "have" in B's answer also means "make".

So "I didn't have any plans" = "I didn't make any plans". Is it possible?

I know native speakers tend to use past tenses to express politeness. Is it possible B's answer is a polite satement?

I'm looking forward to your answer.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Barb_D]

But I also noticed the past simple tense was used a lot.

Another sentence - "let's have a plan."

I believe here the word "have" means "make". It's an action verb.

So I guess maybe the "have" in B's answer also means "make".

So "I didn't have any plans" = "I didn't make any plans". Is it possible?

No.

I know native speakers tend to use past tenses to express politeness. Is it possible B's answer is a polite statement?

That's true - sometimes we do. It could be a sort of invitation to propose a plan. "I didn't have any plans, but if you suggest something, that might work!"

 

[ChrisZhao]

Good explanation.

It seems I still have a long way to go to be able to feel the politeness from the past tenses.

Thank you very much!