This is just basic good communication, really, no matter where you're from. And even for two people from the same area as each other, misunderstandings are damnably easy on the internet. A good tool to prevent that is "mirroring", wherein you basically repeat what the other person said, in your own words, and ask them if that's what they meant. If it's not, they say "no, I meant...", and you try again. My mother and I do this, and it makes conversations so much easier. I've started doing it with my friends at times as well, especially as a way to defuse heated conversations. Mirroring also has the fortunate effect of making the other person feel like they are being heard and listened to, which can solve a lot of conflicts in and of itself.
But that's all a teensy bit outside of the point. Basically, I think that politely asking people to clarify what they mean is a very good practice, one that should be pretty much ubiquitous. The internet is ambiguous enough without us helping it along by letting misunderstandings grow unchecked.
P.S. Re: my comment above about overreacting--that is how I read the situation at the time. To me you seemed quite upset about it, which I didn't think was necessary, but which would make sense if you were confused about it. However, reading people's emotions through the internet is a notoriously tricky proposition, so I may very well have got it wrong, in which case I apologize. ;) I just wanted to reassure you, since I didn't get a chance to at the time, that I don't think you really did anything wrong. The situation just managed to escalate, that's all.
P.P.S. You're from Australia? I have the craziest urge to make you talk at me so I can hear your accent. :3
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2011-01-31 08:43 am (UTC)This is just basic good communication, really, no matter where you're from. And even for two people from the same area as each other, misunderstandings are damnably easy on the internet. A good tool to prevent that is "mirroring", wherein you basically repeat what the other person said, in your own words, and ask them if that's what they meant. If it's not, they say "no, I meant...", and you try again. My mother and I do this, and it makes conversations so much easier. I've started doing it with my friends at times as well, especially as a way to defuse heated conversations. Mirroring also has the fortunate effect of making the other person feel like they are being heard and listened to, which can solve a lot of conflicts in and of itself.
But that's all a teensy bit outside of the point. Basically, I think that politely asking people to clarify what they mean is a very good practice, one that should be pretty much ubiquitous. The internet is ambiguous enough without us helping it along by letting misunderstandings grow unchecked.
P.S. Re: my comment above about overreacting--that is how I read the situation at the time. To me you seemed quite upset about it, which I didn't think was necessary, but which would make sense if you were confused about it. However, reading people's emotions through the internet is a notoriously tricky proposition, so I may very well have got it wrong, in which case I apologize. ;) I just wanted to reassure you, since I didn't get a chance to at the time, that I don't think you really did anything wrong. The situation just managed to escalate, that's all.
P.P.S. You're from Australia? I have the craziest urge to make you talk at me so I can hear your accent. :3