This courteous female told me what appeared to be a war story where she displayed valiant heroism, but the exact way she escaped the close call of the occupying army, Je n'est pas trouver. I didn't get...am I to feel slighted for her?
2007-08-06 10:02:01 · 9 answers · asked by rara 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Oh this is always a difficult situation for me . I have had to shrug and tell a person "I am so sorry but I am not understanding all of what you are trying to tell me''
Then after the second or third attempt I get so nervous I have to excuse myself and find the restroom !
2007-08-06 10:07:59 · answer #1 · answered by Bemo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may not be a lie, but it is certainly a form of rudeness for you to let her think you understand, when you don't. But like a lie, it may come back to haunt you later because she thinks you understood.
If you don't understand, and you truely tried listening, then it is not your fault. You can certainly tell someone that you regret that you still didn't "get it." A shrug of the shoulders exchanged and the conversation can go on to something else. If the "story" is critical, it should be her responsibility to communicate it.
2007-08-06 10:18:11 · answer #2 · answered by Vince M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is a lie. What is etiquette? You should avoid doing things that embarrass somebody unnecessarily. So, you should tell people that toilet paper is stuck to their shoe, or that they have food in their teeth, but you should do it discreetly. If telling somebody you don't understand cannot be done w/o embarrassing them, don't do it. If they expect and believe you understand, they would be much more hurt and embarrassed to later find out you didn't - particularly if they feel like your understanding helped form a bond between you.
2007-08-06 10:44:22 · answer #3 · answered by KidwithJD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a lie by omission.
Just let to speaker know that you are sorry but with their accent that you do not understand them.
You may just find out that they don't understand you too with your foreign accent to them.
2007-08-06 10:39:01 · answer #4 · answered by RebelDixie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's stupid not to admit you don't understand somebody. If you don't, you let them go on and on thinking you can understand and wasting their time trying to explain things to you.
You need to remember that the point of speech is communication. If there is no understanding then there is no point.
2007-08-06 10:06:06 · answer #5 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I usually say something like, "I'd really like to continue having this conversation, but am having a hard time understanding you."
2007-08-06 10:20:47 · answer #6 · answered by Kitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would only be a lie if you said you understood.
It's quite alright to say "Sorry, I didn't get all of that."
2007-08-06 10:06:59 · answer #7 · answered by Robert S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just smile and nod when speaking to foreigners that you don't understand...just smile and nod :-)
2007-08-06 10:09:36 · answer #8 · answered by DoubleD 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no, its polite to ask ''pardon me'' twice, but then just pretend to know.(I'm 40% deaf in one ear, so I do that all the time, lol)
2007-08-06 10:05:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋