Boris, We have spoken by phone and your English is good, but not as clear as your written words. I suspected the situation was as you described - Dilbert vs the Product Manager/Marketer. Tom C. had good advice. Don't say anything more than twice. Don't use the word 'suggest' more than twice, find something else. This poses particular problems when two languages are involved. There is always the problem of mis-understanding by either party.
Regards, Bob S. On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 12:32 PM, Boris Liberman <[email protected]> wrote: > Thanks, Morris. This is fascinating analysis. > > Here is my situation. I came as an engineer (think - Dilbert) along with the > project manager (mid-to-high management, also non-native speaker, but > probably more experienced in this specific kind of verbal kung-fu) and > worked with both my parallels (system operator and IT person of the company > we visited) and also lower-mid managers and some higher ranked boss whose > true rank I fail to comprehend. My lame excuse was that in fact I was rather > occupied all the time with the technical situation and simply said what I > meant - that I suggest that in order to solve the problem they have they do > this and don't do that. I indicated that they could do otherwise, but that > we would advise them to stick to our suggestion as we think it is the > optimal course of action at the moment. I specifically indicated that this > was a temporary measure for the duration of their more important work. At > then of this period (whose duration was given explicitly) they could return > to their normal procedures. > > As to what others suggested - due to my accent, it is rather difficult for > me to both keep my speaking clear and understandable and also spice it with > intonation and intent. > > In fact, if AnnSan, Cotty, Bob W, Mike Wilson or Jostein would chime in here > - it would be cool - they spoke to me in person. I also spoke on the phone > with Rob, Bill Robb and Bob S. > > Surely next time I will be more deliberate about my wording. At least I > would try to use more neutral variations so as to at least remove any > possibility of imperativeness when talking to customers. In principle I > should lay in front of them a number of options and they should make their > choice how to proceed. > > It is good to be a PDMLer even if one's native language is not English :-). > > Thanks a whole lot! > > Boris > > > > On 2/1/2010 5:10 PM, Morris Galloway wrote: >> >> "I suggest" versus "Perhaps we could proceed...." >> One American's analysis. >> >> Among general professionals in the central U.S. >> >> If Boris Liberman is in upper management speaking to those in middle >> management, then "I suggest" would have 10% more of the Imperative. >> Among peers it would be perceived as an option awaiting the opportunity >> for other options to be presented. >> If used by middle management to upper management it might be considered >> brash or bold. >> >> Among Lawyers it would simply be considered as an option. But then we >> are a rather thick-skinned profession. >> >> Wow! Perhaps English is becoming a language similar to Diplomatic >> French. Zut Alors! >> >> Galloway. >> >> >> "I suggest" might have 10% more >> > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and > follow the directions. > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
