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Speaking at the correct level, technically speaking

Ketchup

Ketchup

Elite Member
One of the few things I don't like about being a fairly technical guy (building and fixing computers, fairly network savvy, etc) is always having to load the correct wording, depending on the person I am talking to.

Couple years ago I saw a cousin (2nd or 3rd, I forget) and I was talking to him about something computer-related. I did not know, at the time, he was as (or more) technically savvy than I am (only see him maybe twice a decade.) My dad was there and was kind of a jerk about it too.

This type of thing. It's almost a relief to go to work for that very reason (there are others, of course.)

Anyone else go through this type of thing?
 
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It happens with most specified fields, I experience it with computers, fencing, and weed. Because those are my interests, same thing someone would experience if they spoke to you about specialized aspects of fashion or possibly astrophysics.
 
mnewsham said:
It happens with most specified fields, I experience it with computers, fencing, and weed. Because those are my interests, same thing someone would experience if they spoke to you about specialized aspects of fashion or possibly astrophysics.
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and mind reading. How else would you know I am not that fashionable?
 
Thanks for the move allisolm, it was a tossup to begin with. Should get some awesome answers over here.
 
At least you are aware of the need to communicate differently for different groups of people which puts you ahead of 80% (my own rough estimate) of the folks who see no value or, need to present information differently depending on the audience.
 
MagnusTheBrewer said:
At least you are aware of the need to communicate differently for different groups of people which puts you ahead of 80% (my own rough estimate) of the folks who see no value or, need to present information differently depending on the audience.
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Appreciate that. I think that 80% would include those who purposely word things inappropriately, to make the other person feel like they are stupid, and do whatever they are told. A lot of people that I hear about in the Geek Squad love to pull this one. Maybe they are taught this crap?
 
ketchup79 said:
Appreciate that. I think that 80% would include those who purposely word things inappropriately, to make the other person feel like they are stupid, and do whatever they are told. A lot of people that I hear about in the Geek Squad love to pull this one. Maybe they are taught this crap?
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Nah, they're just sperglords.
 
Talking about level, do you kneel or sit when speaking to a person who's sitting or to a child? I've always felt that it's rude talking to someone while being 1 meter above them.
 
Since English is apparently the OP's second language I am not sure what message he is trying to convey. I will take a stab at what I believe it to be.

Years ago I met one of my wife's friend's, boyfriend. At the time, I was building a motor for my boat. I don't remember how we got on the subject of cams but I was explaining to him, in layman's terms, how cam lobe separation and exhaust reversion works. It wasn't my intention to talk down to him but I am sure I did to make my explanation.
Turns out he was an engine designer/engineer for Ford.
 
I work on jet engines. The lingo can be pretty impenetrable, even between design groups sitting next to each other. Pro tip, ask your audience.
 
oldsmoboat said:
Since English is apparently the OP's second language I am not sure what message he is trying to convey. I will take a stab at what I believe it to be.

Years ago I met one of my wife's friend's, boyfriend. At the time, I was building a motor for my boat. I don't remember how we got on the subject of cams but I was explaining to him, in layman's terms, how cam lobe separation and exhaust reversion works. It wasn't my intention to talk down to him but I am sure I did to make my explanation.
Turns out he was an engine designer/engineer for Ford.
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Great story, but I am a little stumped. What part made you think English was my second language? I was born in Ohio, which does sound like a second language to some people down here (SC), but that's another story.
 
Reminds me of presentations for a graduate course by students, me included. One girl used so much techno-Jargon and spoke so fast that her super impressive and complicated project became a turd. The professor was probably the only one who pretended to know what she was saying.
 
Most people I talk to wont have a clue what I'm talking about if I stay technical. It definitely is nice to be at work and be able to keep it technical, though even then some of the stuff I do at home is over most people's heads. 😛 Even when I worked as a server tech, I was one of the few there that actually knew basic programming. (not basic the language, but basic as in non advanced 😛)
 
ketchup79 said:
Great story, but I am a little stumped. What part made you think English was my second language? I was born in Ohio, which does sound like a second language to some people down here (SC), but that's another story.
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I just got back from Ohio last week.

This part is confusing:
One of the few things I don't like about being a fairly technical guy (building and fixing computers, fairly network savvy, etc) is always having to load the correct wording, depending on the person I am talking to.
 
I speak at my current level of expertise. Usually you can tell very quickly if you are speaking too technical for them by their body language - then just dumb it down and explain until their eyes light up signifying they totally get it.

If it is for a body of peers and I would be discussing something I am an expert in, then I usually speak just above what I would consider their expected level of understanding, but not completely over the top.
 
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oldsmoboat said:
I just got back from Ohio last week.

This part is confusing:
One of the few things I don't like about being a fairly technical guy (building and fixing computers, fairly network savvy, etc) is always having to load the correct wording, depending on the person I am talking to.
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He was just demonstrating his point. 😛
 
I try to go by eyes when I start lapsing into the more technically part of my vocabulary. If I detect any glazing effects or the eyes start rolling back in their sockets and reboot into kid mode so my explanations go more like headend gave a yell out on the network for everyone to yell back if they were still connected and everyone still on yelled back still here LoL
 
I just speak technical all the time, when i get the dafuq? look from people i then tell them one of two things:

1. turn it off and on again
2. buy a new one

Or ill just go off on a massive tangent until they go away 😎
 
i gave a presentation to 10-15 people across the country for work. without knowing how familiar everyone was with the topic, i went through some basics. hopefully they did not find it too boring 😛

(linear vs nonlinear elastic fracture mechanics)
 
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