In my last article, I suggested that when someone says something you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to say so and to ask for clarification. Shortly after posting this little nugget of wisdom, my friend Eric called me to see if I had time for a chat over a coffee. I had not seen him in some time and was delighted for the call and a chance to catch up with him. He had lots on the go and I wanted all the juicy details.
Early on in our conversation, he began to tell me about an exciting prospect he was hoping would come together for him. It involved working with a very interesting and accomplished man on a fascinating project overseas.
Eric: This guy is amazing Gil! He has enjoyed a tremendous career and is a Prophet Western.
Me: (thinking .. huh.. a Prophet Western?) Excuse me Eric, a Prophet Western?
Eric: Yes, that’s right! I am really hoping that we get the opportunity to work together and that ….
Me: (totally befuddled now) I’m sorry Eric. I don’t understand! A Prophet Western? As opposed to an Eastern Prophet?
Eric: (now laughing heartily) Nooooo .. he is a Professor at the University of Western Ontario! A Prof at Western!
Me: (blushing a bit) I knew that!
As silly as this may seem, I have witnessed this type of misunderstanding on many occasions. Worse, I have also witnessed the results of not having the misunderstanding clarified. In the example above, had I not asked Eric to shed some light on my confusion, I might have assumed that Eric was embarking on some kind of deep spiritual journey. A Prophet Western evokes a very different mental image than does a Prof at Western!
Whether the word is spoken or in writing, if you don’t understand it, ask for or seek out its actual meaning. I have seen seasoned executives make catastrophic errors in judgment due to such misunderstandings often leading to loss of business and huge embarrassment. As happened with Eric, I would much rather blush a little bit by asking a question than to go off telling our mutual friends that I believe he will soon be working with a Prophet!
So, what does this all have to do with orange sandwiches you ask?
Some years ago, my wife my super fantastic and wonderful wife Colleen and
I were discussing some things we needed to accomplish over the next few days. Neither of us was feeling very energetic as we were both fighting a cold at the time. When I suggested that we look after one of those things right away, the ensuing conversation took place.
Colleen: Why don’t we do that tomorrow?
Me: We should do it now. Tomorrow will have its own challenges.
Colleen: (beginning to laugh) What did you say?
Me: (wondering what’s so funny) I said, tomorrow will have its own challenges.
Colleen: (now in hysterics) Please .. umm .. HUH???
Me: (now laughing very hard but still not understanding why!) I said, tomorrow will have its own challenges. What’s so funny about that?
Colleen: (barely able to speak for laughing so hard) I thought you said, tomorrow we’ll have orange sandwiches!!!
Since that day, whenever we know that there are difficulties ahead, we lighten the moment by saying, “Yes, tomorrow we’ll have orange sandwiches!”
Postscript:
This is the first article I write since September 25th. Some of you have asked about that. I had been writing at least one a week, usually two! Well, let’s just say that there have been many days from then to now and many of them had their orange sandwiches!
Oh .. and speaking of orange sandwiches, just for fun, I thought I would see if there were any pictures of orange sandwiches out there before I sliced one and placed it between slices of bread for a photo shoot. Who knew! They actually exist and they look good too. Now, I’ll have to try to make one. I’ll let you all know how that turns out!
Photo Credits
Prophet from the MS Word Clip Art Collection – tweaked by me
Orange sandwiches – © Mourner / Vladimir Agafonkin
© Gil Namur, 2009
That’s funny Gil. I’m starting to think you should put all these in a book.
Hey Mark!
How do? Thanks for your comment. A book could very well happen one day 😉
Gileeeeeeee
Gil, love this article, so true. What comes to mind is that we need to be sure that we are a person that others (children, co-workers, parents…. whoever) are not afraid to ask questions of…. There are always those that we are in fear to ask for clarification.
Janice
Hi Janice,
That’s a really great point!! I will have to write about that. Awesome feedback Janice .. thanks!
Gileeeeee
Hi Gil
Glad your back at it, I’ve found myself asking lately for clarification on abbreviations.
Hi Dale!
ROFL!
FYI, I’ll RSVP ASAP & RT PDQ!
TTYL
GILEEEEEEEEEEEEE
That’s great…have an orange sandwich at beekfest next time 🙂
LOL
Thanks Chris!
Cheers
Gileeeeeee
Gil, love this article, so true. What comes to mind is that we need to be sure that we are a person that others (children, co-workers, parents…. whoever) are not afraid to ask questions of…. There are always those that we are in fear to ask for clarification. Janice
Hey Janice,
You are SO right!
Thanks for popping in!
Merry Christmas!
Cheers,
Gil
Orange sandwiches bring back a very important childhood memory for me. My surrogate mother, Mary – a family friend and nurse, whom I adored and idolized, died when I was 6 years old – the same year my sister was born. I remember wondering why everyone was making such a fuss over my baby sister but my visits to the library with Mary every Saturday morning somehow compensated.
Mary and I made puppets together. My first puppet was a Buddhist monk puppet seemingly created out of nothing. I lovingly braided all the love and admiration I had for Mary into the little monk’s braids because I knew Mary would praise me for making such a beautiful puppet. One Saturday morning when I was 6 and Mary was 46 my mother said – you won’t be going to the library with Mary this morning – she died last night. I didn’t know what death was at such a tender age and my alcoholic mother had no empathy for my feelings so it has taken me years to come to a closure about a loved one taken so suddenly from my life.
But what’s that about orange sandwiches! Mary used to eat orange and onion sandwiches. Many years later I got the courage to make an orange and onion sandwich – fresh bread, mayonnaise, plump juicy oranges, thinly sliced red onions and a sprinkling of parsley and salt. Guess what – the sandwich was delicious. But that’s the one and only time I ever ate an orange sandwich.
I am happy I knew Mary and even happier for the effect she had on my life. Decades later I still miss her and would love to be able to talk to her – even for a moment. She was taken so young. While writing this I just realized that I am happy I gave as much to ‘my mother Mary’ as she gave to me. How could I have known that as a young child.
Hi Heather!
Thanks for sharing that lovely story and important part of your life with us.
As for the sandwich … I shall have to try that!
I hope you are having a great week!
Gileeeeee
Let me know what you think – it has to be Hellmann’s or homemade mayonnaise – not miracle whip – heather
Hellmann’s for sure! I never use MW!
Gileeeeeeee