The same way I’d interpret an ACK when reassembling a TCP/IP connection: “Yes, I heard you.” That implies in no way “I agree with your point of view,” only “I heard you.”

Re “isn’t it interesting”, most definitely! We found it interesting enough to write a whole chapter on. (:

Isn’t it interesting how, after knowing someone a long, long time, we can still mix up connotation and denotation in a given context?

Was that a really nerdy sounding response? I don’t know.

Words are fun.

I personally would have, in Pace’s position, replied “that makes sense” rather than “totally” – I’ve learned to identify questions like that as being confusing, so I try to give unambiguous answers that make it clear what question I’m REALLY answering.

I also think that if you had said something like, “Yes, I agree, but…” it would have been more clear than using ‘totally’. ‘Totally’ comes across as a way of saying, “We’re on the same page, completely!” Whereas ‘I agree’ seems to just address the one specific question. That’s my thought on the issue. Eric.

I think if I’d been in P’s position though, I would not have been likely to say “yes totally” because I would’ve felt too much like I was agreeing with K. I would’ve likely said something like, “Well I understand your position, but I don’t feel the same way.”

Interesting to ponder.

I think this is a common problem in communication. People ask questions with the wrong words, and others answer with the correct reply. Leading to confusion. It works the other way as well.

It’s a good thing words are free and we can keep talking and clear up the confusion if we notice it. And hopefully laugh about it when we don’t.

At the same time, If Kyeli would interpret a “yes” to the question “Does that make sense?” as an agreement to what she’d said, perhaps she should instead ask “Do you agree?”. Thus asking the actual question that she want’s an answer to. Cutting any confusion in interpretation right out.