Posted by Dinah on July 3, 2008, at 23:40:16
In reply to Re: should you offend people?, posted by sunnydays on July 3, 2008, at 23:02:24
Ahhh.... Those types of situations.
It's my experience that context is all. I never compromise my beliefs or pretend to agree with something I don't agree with. And I generally let that be known, however politely or indirectly. But beyond that, I consider what is likely to be useful in a given situation.
My favorite quote on the subject comes from "The Vulcan Academy Murders", a Star Trek novel.
"I do not understand," Sarek said in that totally flat tone which McCoy had come to understand was a diplomatic way of saying, "I am refusing to understand so that you will not be embarrassed when you realize that you have said something gauche."
But again, context is everything. That would only be effective with someone who understood that they would have reason to be embarrassed.
poster:Dinah
thread:837900
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080616/msgs/837929.html