LETTER TO THE EDITOR / EXPRESSIONS

ROGER C. KOSTMAYER

We all use expressions, in phrase & facially, to convey our thoughts and feelings. Most verbal expressions help the listener grasp the idea – usually the one intended but occasionally the exact opposite. The most obvious examples of the latter are: “To tell you the truth” & “To be honest with you”.

When a salesman, a politician or a President uses one of these expressions, you can bet the farm that the speaker is lying – either now or just prior to his announcement of the change in his intentions. If a President glibly claims he’s about to be honest with you, do you ever struggle to remember what he said just before that? Or, do you ever wonder if there’s a difference between being insincere and shallow, and lying?

When someone says “To tell the truth”, do you ever cringe and think “Actually, that’s what I assumed you were doing all along”.

The irony here is – all the the salesmen, politicians, the President and their emulators would be better served and more successful if they expressed themselves simply, directly and truthfully.

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