I watched the last severance episode.
A manager (an 80’s looking, strong and tall black man so you identify him) is told during a performance review he “uses too many big words”.
To me, while this character can appear pretentious, he is simply an articulate man, like somebody who was taught at Oxford or Princeton. It’s simply how he was raised, it’s not his “fault”.
I would feel attacked is somebody told me that for trying to use an appropriate vocabulary to describe or explain something, like being posh was something to be ridiculed.
If a coworker told me that I’d use a more detailed description so he understands what I mean but otherwise keep using my regular vocabulary. If a manager told me that I’d start looking for a new job, as it’d signal he feels entitled to micromanage me and a job doesn’t have to be stressful.
Am I too thin skinned?
Real answer: if you’re communicating, you want to be understood at some level. Knowing the audience changes the dynamic to fulfill that goal. If you use big words and your audience is 5 year olds, you likely won’t be understood.
If someone gave me this advice, my first reaction wouldn’t be “You’re attacking me!” It would, “Hey, thanks for the advice. Can you unpack it further for me?” In work, I’ve done well by having a growth oriented mindset. There absolutely are bad faith actors, but listening to the advice of others has helped me grow.
I train people on how to speak (to executives, during a presentation, with clients) all the time. In my line of work, a client can end a contract if they don’t like engaging with my team - so it is pretty relevant to the job.
The whole show is about what happens when you go balls to the wall in micromanagement.
I got called into the office by my supervisor for a verbal counseling because I used the words “myriad” and “recalcitrant” in an email to a subordinate who was not doing their job.
“I don’t have the time or the crayons to explain it to you” is the best response.
“I’m sorry, let me use smaller words.” is one of my favorite insults. :)
You must rid yourself of childish folly
Grow!
Yes, you are too thin skinned
I work at a huge corp in the US, and they’re constantly trying to get everyone to get their point across using simpler language. And, there are a lot of positives to doing so.
Depends on the job a great deal. I can’t use the same words to talk to customers as I can my coworkers.
You’re going to have to order lumch from the menu.
I tend to be a chameleon in social situations. I worked as a server and in retail, and adapting my language and behaviors helped me connect with all sorts of people. How I talked with a group of little old ladies who just came from church was COMPLETELY different than how I talked to the drunks on third shift.
If someone else is using big words, feel free to match them, but most people don’t really care about learning big words that mean the same thing as words they already know. This alone doesn’t make them stupid, as they probably know a lot about other things that you have no interest in.
When I hear someone using archaic words, I don’t assume that they are smart, I assume they WANT TO SOUND smart and that they are too good to act like a “normal” person.
My autistic ass just chooses the most precise words no matter the context, complexity be dammed. Thanks brain.
The real problem is that the paper clips were on backwards.
[Shitty Life Pro Tip]
You answer : okay you want me to explain like you are five ? … can do that 😏
