Post by Rhonda on Mar 30, 2007 1:39:36 GMT -5
DEADLY ASSUMPTIONS
Steve Goodier
Joan, the town gossip and supervisor of the town's morals recently
accused George, a local man, of having a drinking problem because she
observed his pickup truck outside the town's only bar one morning.
George stared at her for a moment, and said nothing. Later that
evening, he parked his pickup truck in front of her house and left it
there all night.
Why is it that most assumptions are wrong? Yet we too often act as if
they are right!
Years ago, a young American at a banquet found himself seated next to
the eminent V. K. Wellington Koo, a Chinese diplomat. Completely at a
loss as to what to say to someone from such a different culture, this
young man ventured, "Likee soupee?"
Mr. Koo smiled and nodded. Later when called upon to speak,
Wellington Koo delivered an eloquent talk in exquisite English, sat
down while the applause was still resounding, turned to the young man
and smiled, "Likee speechee?
His assumption about Mr. Koo was simply not true. Which is not unlike
a husband who assumes he knows his wife's opinion on a matter, only
to find out she thinks differently. Or a wife who assumes that her
husband's silence means he is angry or disinterested, only to learn
that he is worried about something else. Or an employee who assumes
he knows that his boss is upset with him because she didn't praise
his performance on a project, when she was merely preoccupied with
another matter.
Assumptions. We all make them. They're usually wrong and they too
often get us into trouble.
I like the advice of Eniong Hilario: "Things are better said than
assumed." When in doubt, check it out. You think you know what was
said? Check it out. You think you know what was meant? Check it
out. You may think you know, but check it out.
And when you do, be prepared to be surprised!
__________
P.S. REASONS TO GIVE THANKS
I am thankful that thorns have roses. -- Alphonse Karr
Steve Goodier
Joan, the town gossip and supervisor of the town's morals recently
accused George, a local man, of having a drinking problem because she
observed his pickup truck outside the town's only bar one morning.
George stared at her for a moment, and said nothing. Later that
evening, he parked his pickup truck in front of her house and left it
there all night.
Why is it that most assumptions are wrong? Yet we too often act as if
they are right!
Years ago, a young American at a banquet found himself seated next to
the eminent V. K. Wellington Koo, a Chinese diplomat. Completely at a
loss as to what to say to someone from such a different culture, this
young man ventured, "Likee soupee?"
Mr. Koo smiled and nodded. Later when called upon to speak,
Wellington Koo delivered an eloquent talk in exquisite English, sat
down while the applause was still resounding, turned to the young man
and smiled, "Likee speechee?
His assumption about Mr. Koo was simply not true. Which is not unlike
a husband who assumes he knows his wife's opinion on a matter, only
to find out she thinks differently. Or a wife who assumes that her
husband's silence means he is angry or disinterested, only to learn
that he is worried about something else. Or an employee who assumes
he knows that his boss is upset with him because she didn't praise
his performance on a project, when she was merely preoccupied with
another matter.
Assumptions. We all make them. They're usually wrong and they too
often get us into trouble.
I like the advice of Eniong Hilario: "Things are better said than
assumed." When in doubt, check it out. You think you know what was
said? Check it out. You think you know what was meant? Check it
out. You may think you know, but check it out.
And when you do, be prepared to be surprised!
__________
P.S. REASONS TO GIVE THANKS
I am thankful that thorns have roses. -- Alphonse Karr