Miscommunication
Miscommunication is one of the most common problems. This joke ( and I'm sorry, I don't know who wrote it) is one of my favorite examples of miscommunication:
My friend is a rather old-fashioned lady, always quite delicate and elegant, especially in language. She and her husband were planning a week's vacation in Florida, so she wrote to a particular campground and asked for a reservation.
She wanted to make sure the campground was fully equipped, but didn't know how to ask about the toilet facilities. She couldn't bring herself to write the word "toilet" in her letter. After much deliberation, she finally came up with the old-fashioned term, " bathroom commode."
But when she wrote that down, she still thought she was being too forward. So she started all over again, rewrote the entire letter and referred to the bathroom commode merely as the " B.C. " " Does the campground have its own B.C. is what she actually wrote.
Well, the campground owner wasn't old-fashioned at all and when he got the letter, he just couldn't figure out what the women was talking about. That "B.C." business really stumped him. After worrying about it for a while, he showed the letter to several campers, but they couldn't imagine what the lady meant either. So, the campground owner, finally coming to the conclusion that the lady must be asking about the location of the local Baptist Church, sat down and wrote the following reply:
So the best thing to do is, ASK!
If you're unsure, just ask. Most of us don't ask because of fear, fear of what others think, or pride.
If we could just humble ourselves, and ask… 90% of our misunderstandings could be avoided.
What if the Campground Owner wrote back asking what the lady meant, instead of assuming? What if you asked your husband what he meant instead of guessing? What if you asked your co-worker why they were upset instead of reacting to your assumptions?
If we could all face our problems, humble ourselves, and communicate with one another, life would be so much easier. However, we complicate life with our fears and insecurities.
So here's my proposal, I promise to ask you, and to come to you- if I have a question, or if I'm unsure about something. Can you do the same?
I'm your Mrs International reminding-
TO CHOOSE LOVE,
Priscilla
My friend is a rather old-fashioned lady, always quite delicate and elegant, especially in language. She and her husband were planning a week's vacation in Florida, so she wrote to a particular campground and asked for a reservation.
She wanted to make sure the campground was fully equipped, but didn't know how to ask about the toilet facilities. She couldn't bring herself to write the word "toilet" in her letter. After much deliberation, she finally came up with the old-fashioned term, " bathroom commode."
But when she wrote that down, she still thought she was being too forward. So she started all over again, rewrote the entire letter and referred to the bathroom commode merely as the " B.C. " " Does the campground have its own B.C. is what she actually wrote.
Well, the campground owner wasn't old-fashioned at all and when he got the letter, he just couldn't figure out what the women was talking about. That "B.C." business really stumped him. After worrying about it for a while, he showed the letter to several campers, but they couldn't imagine what the lady meant either. So, the campground owner, finally coming to the conclusion that the lady must be asking about the location of the local Baptist Church, sat down and wrote the following reply:
Dear Madam,
I regret, very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take the pleasure of informing you that a B.C. is located 9 miles north of the campground, and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. It is located in a beautiful pine grove and is opened only on Sundays and Wednesdays. I admit it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly, but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late. My daughter met her husband in the B.C.
The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. Sometimes it is so crowded, there are 5 to a seat. It may interest you to know that right now there is a supper planed to raise money to buy more seats. They're going to hold it in the basement of the B.C.
I would like to say it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but is surely not due to lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in the cold weather.
If you decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you for the first time you go, sit with you and introduce you to all the older folks. We will be sure to have a seat up in the front where you can be seen by everyone.
Remember we are a friendly community.
Sincerely yours,That is a perfect example of miscommunication. Sean and I have dealt with our share of miscommunication. We all have, but is there a person in the world whom you can always understand, and never never misunderstand? No, because it's impossible.
(The campground owner)
So the best thing to do is, ASK!
If you're unsure, just ask. Most of us don't ask because of fear, fear of what others think, or pride.
If we could just humble ourselves, and ask… 90% of our misunderstandings could be avoided.
What if the Campground Owner wrote back asking what the lady meant, instead of assuming? What if you asked your husband what he meant instead of guessing? What if you asked your co-worker why they were upset instead of reacting to your assumptions?
If we could all face our problems, humble ourselves, and communicate with one another, life would be so much easier. However, we complicate life with our fears and insecurities.
So here's my proposal, I promise to ask you, and to come to you- if I have a question, or if I'm unsure about something. Can you do the same?
I'm your Mrs International reminding-
TO CHOOSE LOVE,
Priscilla
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