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Choosing the Right Words

#1
Zinjanthropos Offline
Was on a website and saw this, “What impressed me most was that they really seemed to care”....a quote from an apparent satisfied customer of an injury law firm used in an internet ad. Don’t know about you but it doesn’t exactly fill me full of confidence. So they only really seemed to care but do they? Why put the word ‘seemed’ in there. Some ad writer sold this idea to a bunch of lawyers and I can’t decide who is stupider. Maybe it’s me. In my mind it’s terrible use of language. Who is the target audience, a bunch of fraudsters pretending to be hurt or people genuinely disadvantaged by someone’s negligence? Also, what is it they really seem to care about? I know I’m getting old but does it sound right to you?
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#2
Syne Offline
What would impress me most is if they did a good job, and got me a sizable settlement. I'd much rather have a shark for a lawyer or an egotist for a doctor than someone who's adept at showing how much they care. There's far too much of a dumb show of caring these days, as if a significant percent of people are lacking any sense that anyone cares for them, or there's just enough morons who fall for the virtue-signalling. Because, let's face it, an injury law firm is only after a chunk of your settlement.

But that's probably the point. They want anything that detracts from the stereotype of injury lawyers, as bloodsucking parasites.
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#3
Secular Sanity Offline
(Jul 24, 2020 12:38 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote: Choosing the Right Words


Maybe you could help me find the right words.

I found another guy that was willing to provide an answer to my question. He's a teacher and a little more professional and thorough than that last guy, but I have a little problem. I want to ask him a couple more questions but I feel like a leech. I want to reciprocate in some way or another but I don’t know how to broach it. What’s appropriate in a situation like this? What could I offer him in return? Should I offer to promote his website? Should I offer to pay him? If so, how should I word it?
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#4
Zinjanthropos Offline
(Jul 27, 2020 04:26 PM)Secular Sanity Wrote:
(Jul 24, 2020 12:38 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote: Choosing the Right Words


Maybe you could help me find the right words.

I found another guy that was willing to provide an answer to my question. He's a teacher and a little more professional and thorough than that last guy, but I have a little problem. I want to ask him a couple more questions but I feel like a leech. I want to reciprocate in some way or another but I don’t know how to broach it. What’s appropriate in a situation like this? What could I offer him in return? Should I offer to promote his website? Should I offer to pay him? If so, how should I word it?

Show some gratitude, stroke the ego, flatter, appeal to the educator in him, and humble yourself. I think I just told you to lie like a rug...lol. Humor might work also. Or just be straight forward and ask.

Thanks SS for asking me to help with your problem. You’re such a confident, well-versed individual that I was totally taken by surprise when you asked for what little advice I may be able to offer. It’s just that I know you possess a far greater understanding of the subject than most people, including myself, and you usually provide more answers than questions. Your willingness to share your knowledge with others is precisely why I feel fortunate to call you a trustworthy acquaintance.

If it isn’t too much trouble I would like to once again appeal to your wisdom. Before I go on and despite the fact I appreciate you freely donating your time to my inquiries, I feel somewhat compelled to return the favour. If there’s a way I can assist you then please don’t hesitate to ask. That said, my first additional question would be if that’s alright with you? Big Grin

SS, you’ve obviously mistaken me for someone who knows the right words. Or you could be pulling my leg. Either way this whole thing reminded me of these song lyrics....’everybody plays the fool, sometime, there’s no exception to the rule’. You and the professor(?) are pretty sharp, practically equals, so play the game and tell the ego to sit this one out, until you get what you ask for of course Angel
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#5
Secular Sanity Offline
(Jul 28, 2020 12:45 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote:
(Jul 27, 2020 04:26 PM)Secular Sanity Wrote:
(Jul 24, 2020 12:38 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote: Choosing the Right Words


Maybe you could help me find the right words.

I found another guy that was willing to provide an answer to my question. He's a teacher and a little more professional and thorough than that last guy, but I have a little problem. I want to ask him a couple more questions but I feel like a leech. I want to reciprocate in some way or another but I don’t know how to broach it. What’s appropriate in a situation like this? What could I offer him in return? Should I offer to promote his website? Should I offer to pay him? If so, how should I word it?

Show some gratitude, stroke the ego, flatter, appeal to the educator in him, and humble yourself. I think I just told you to lie like a rug...lol. Humor might work also. Or just be straight forward and ask.

Thanks SS for asking me to help with your problem. You’re such a confident, well-versed individual that I was totally taken by surprise when you asked for what little advice I may be able to offer. It’s just that I know you possess a far greater understanding of the subject than most people, including myself, and you usually provide more answers than questions. Your willingness to share your knowledge with others is precisely why I feel fortunate to call you a trustworthy acquaintance.

If it isn’t too much trouble I would like to once again appeal to your wisdom. Before I go on and despite the fact I appreciate you freely donating your time to my inquiries, I feel somewhat compelled to return the favour. If there’s a way I can assist you then please don’t hesitate to ask. That said, my first additional question would be if that’s alright with you? Big Grin

SS, you’ve obviously mistaken me for someone who knows the right words. Or you could be pulling my leg. Either way this whole thing reminded me of these song lyrics....’everybody plays the fool, sometime, there’s no exception to the rule’. You and the professor(?) are pretty sharp, practically equals, so play the game and tell the ego to sit this one out, until you get what you ask for of course Angel

Well, now I’m not so sure that you’re being sincere either. That’s not how I see myself at all. Not because I have low self-esteem or anything. It’s just that my curiosity is insatiable and I realize that it’s my problem, not everyone else’s. So, I don’t expect other people to have the same interests or the same drive. Most of my family and friends take advantage of it though. They’ll purposely stick one of their problems or puzzles in my head and they know that’ll drive me nuts until I figure it out. I try to plug my ears (la-la-la) but they’re relentless. I’m also a neat freak. My best friend used to be uncomfortable having me over. She said that she felt like she had to clean before I showed up. I assured her that I don’t expect her to be like me at all. It’s my hang up and only my clutter bothers me, not hers. I simply enjoy her company.

And no, Zinman, my question to you was sincere. My structure and grammar suck and if you haven’t noticed, I have a very bad habit of leaving out words. It’s really difficult to spot your own typos. There are a few things that seem to help, but I don’t always have the time. For some reason, if I change the font or proof read it on a different device, my mistakes pop. I don’t know if this was intentional or not but I spotted a typo in this article. See if you can spot it.

I think your right though. Honesty is always the best policy. There’s been so many occasions where I’ve withheld sincere compliments simply because I don’t want to be viewed as being manipulative. I think I’ll pass on the flattery and toss in a wee bit of sincere praise with gratitude. I think that I would be offended if someone offered me money though. Your opinion was helpful. I think I’ll start off by letting him know that even if my speculations are proven wrong, I still get a high from the aha moments of pure understanding. 

Thanks for the advice, Zinman. Much obliged!

P.S. If you see any grammar mistakes on my part, feel free to point them out. Big Grin
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#6
Leigha Offline
“Seemed” is the operative word. I like that word, it can mean so many things but doesn’t seem definitive. See what I did there? Wink
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#7
Zinjanthropos Offline
(Jul 29, 2020 07:35 PM)Leigha Wrote: “Seemed” is the operative word. I like that word, it can mean so many things but doesn’t seem definitive. See what I did there? Wink

Cute Wegs. Smile

Without looking it up I think ‘seemed’ means ‘gave the impression that....’ which in my books is like saying it never truly happened. It’s just a feeling or an attempt to coddle, sway, deceive or cover a mistake in judgment.  Big Grin
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#8
confused2 Offline
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Been there, done that.
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#9
Leigha Offline
(Jul 29, 2020 08:13 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote:
(Jul 29, 2020 07:35 PM)Leigha Wrote: “Seemed” is the operative word. I like that word, it can mean so many things but doesn’t seem definitive. See what I did there? Wink

Cute Wegs. Smile

Without looking it up I think ‘seemed’ means ‘gave the impression that....’ which in my books is like saying it never truly happened. It’s just a feeling or an attempt to coddle, sway, deceive or cover a mistake in judgment.  Big Grin
lol  Maybe!

It's the perfect word choice if you want to remain non-committal. Her decision doesn't seem right to me. In that sentence, one might assume that you're not okay with her decision, but you're not willing to definitively say so. Seem is a safe word when you want to add your two cents without offending anyone. Big Grin
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