When to use which structure?

Question

This is the first lesson I can't work out the difference between the two structures something + "plaît à..." versus the reflexive something + "me plaisent."

Both descriptions say they are to like something, I can't work out when to use which structure. I've re-read the lesson about 3 times, so I'm looking for additional clarification..

Accepted Answer

If you use the English verb "to appeal" for the French plaire, you'll get a better feel for the French construction:
Cette veste me plaît. -- This vest appeals to me.
In this sentence, me, is not a reflexive pronoun but the indirect object pronoun of the 1st person singular. You can see this better, if you substitute a name and then replace the name with its pronoun:
Cette veste plaît à Marie. -- This vest appeals to Marie.Cette veste lui plaît. -- This vest appeals to her.
The subject of the sentence is cette veste, and the verb needs to match it:
Cette veste plaît à Marie.Ces vestes plaisent à Marie.

Answer

From what I can tell, the difference is simply whether you want to name the thing liked or use a pronoun. In which case it doesn't seem to be any different from using inderect object pronouns with parler, demander, etc.

Examples: --

Je parle à Marie -- I speak to Marie.

Je lui parle -- I speak to her.