Answer to the point

A example of a typical conversation with teenagers (via texting):

Me : Have you spoken with your parents regarding the school outing tomorrow?  Have they given you the entrance fees for the outing?  Is it convenient for them to talk to me now?

Teen : No.

OK. Maybe I should have asked question by question.  But when one gets a single-word answer like that, we may wonder which of the questions asked was that answer for. From my experience, the answer is for the question that was asked last.  Which means, in the above example, the parents are not convenient to talk to me now.

My advice to young people: It is important to respond in such a way that others need not ask the same questions again, or need a few rounds of clarifications.  If there are three questions, there should be three responses.  That, to me, is an efficient conversation.

We can:

• Look at the messages (if texting) while replying, to ensure we answer all queries, before we click send;

• Ensure that we answer to the point.  Another example of a typical frustrating conversation with teens:  

Teacher: Are you available to stay behind this afternoon to see me?

Student: How many others are staying behind?

• For verbal conversation, capture the key points mentally, organise our thoughts, and compile a response that answer to the point;

• Use simple words, instead of bombastic ones;  

• When unsure of the answer or not able to give a response straight away, do let the person know you will get back to him soon, instead of keeping quiet.  And never use "I was busy" as the reason for not responding;

• Speak with the intent to provide a clear response, not with the intent to impress.  Of course, when we communicate well, we will impress others.  

Just imagine our boss getting frustrated every time they talk to us because we need a long conversation to give him the answer. That certainly wouldn't be good for us.

Thank you, JY, for allowing me to use this pic.