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I have noticed that more often than not, when I say "I don't understand XYZ" I actually mean "Are you really, really sure that you understand XYZ, because what
by beefield 9y ago
I have noticed that more often than not, when I say "I don't understand XYZ" I actually mean "Are you really, really sure that you understand XYZ, because what you say makes no sense whatsoever"
- mjburgess 9y agoYes, it's a challenge to the person you're speaking to. It's a great way just to learn without losing face if you need to. The alternative sentiment is "I'm lost, please help" which may not be accurate. There does need to be some way to express, "I am competent enough to understand this, I do not understand this, so something is going wrong and it isnt my stupidity".
- tomalpha 9y agoOne hazard I am still learning to adapt to after many years is saying this to US based colleagues. They tend to interpret it literally. I have to switch grammars in that context and speak much more directly.