Why is it human nature to consistently assume in conversation, AIM, email, phone, whatever, that if something is vague or uncertain, they ALWAYS assume that the other person means the worst?

We're a goddamn race of pessimists and not a single optimist!

Take feedback emails at work.

For example,
you find a process that is being ignored, causing countless problems. You highlight the cause, the effect and several innovative ways to resolve it.

Nobody every reads such email and thinks "Oh gee that person was kind enough to highlight the problem and propose several solutions to it."

It's always "What a ****ing cuntarse, pointing out holes in the situation. And he thinks he can do a better job than us! And look at the tone!"

You can get the same person in two completely different frames of mind and get two very different interpretations of the same email.

Another example,
you and another person are having a casual conversation. You mention in passing to the other person they look great like they've lost weight.

The other person can interpret this as a sincere compliment and say "Thanks"

OR

They can turn around all mad and say "So what are you saying, last time you saw me I was overweight??"

I don't know how or where this came along but it's just ****ing ridiculuous.

Sad part is, it doesn't matter how good your conversation is, how large your vocabulary is, what your intentions are, nothing. Someone will always misunderstand you and someone will always be looking for an excuse to rip into you, take you down or assume you're being a cunt to them. Regardless of whether their flawed belief is justified or not.

I find that despite all my intentions I get told off, misunderstood, misinterpreted by people always assuming the worst - parents, co-workers, managers, just about ****ing everyone. I'm ****ing sick of it. I think the next person that misunderstands me I'm just not going to talk to for a day or so. Maybe silence to them is better than me saying anything, if they're just going to get pissy about it.

This is where we are headed - entire orders of former office workers joining monastic orders where they can take vows of silence and be free of the burden of misunderstanding and miscommunication.

- The Jake

I dunno, I never really encounter people like that - I usually communicate as much with my body language and tone as much as my words, so few people misunderstand me.

Bleh, I don't believe body language alone can accomodate people being retards Magic.

- The Jake

true, sometimes you have to talk with your fists.

I did not think it was possible, but i beleive I just became dumber.......lol

To hung over to read, comprehend and respond intelligently to that post. I'll try again later perhaps.

OK for one somebody needs to del LB's post. Like Now!

As for misunderstandings on AIM or e-mail. It's hard to understand what the other person means sometimes. I mean you can't hear the tone or see the body language. Sarcasm is lost really. It's just a cold way to keep in touch with ppl overall.

I think ppl tend to think the worst because ppl are insecure with them selfs or with what they are doing. So because of that or any other reason, it's very easy to take something the wrong way.

All you can do is try again to get your meaning across to the other person and not lose your temper, that doesn't help either one of you.

Originally posted by Bzob^x0
I did not think it was possible, but i beleive I just became dumber.......lol

No you didn't. You were right the first time...