> > 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
Boris, If you are there as a technical expert & advisor then it is your duty to advise. "I suggest" is a good way of starting a piece of advice. I have been, and often still am, in the position of giving technical advice. If I think one option is better than the others then I have no hesitation in suggesting it. So I might say "You can do W, X, Y or Z. K is distinctly subprime. I suggest you do X until the fires have burnt themselves out, then you'll have a bit of time to do Y" If they then decide to do Z instead, or even W, then that is their prerogative. But if it all goes Rs over Ts I have at least done my duty to the best of my ability. > It is good to be a PDMLer even if one's native language is > not English :-). > It would be even better if we all spoke Mongolian. Bob -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
