Unpacking the Power of Not Really Meaning

Have you ever heard that phrase – “It’s not what you say, but how you say it” ? Well, in this article, we’re going to explore a similar concept: “It’s not what you mean, but how you don’t really mean it.” Yes, folks. We’re talking about the power of NOT REALLY MEANING something.

The Fascination with Not Really Meaning

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where someone said something completely absurd or inappropriate and tried to backpedal by saying they were just kidding? Or have you received an email from your boss prefaced with “I hope this doesn’t come across as harsh…” before delivering some tough criticism? These are both examples of people utilizing the power of not really meaning.

The Art of Non-Committal Responses

Nowadays, it seems like everyone is trying their darnedest to be politically correct. You can hardly open your mouth without giving offense to someone these days! This has led many people to perfecting the art of non-committal responses. Say nothing at all! No commitment means no disappointment!

Mastering Vagueness

One technique for such subtlety is mastering vagueness techniques when responding.. Always make sure that there’s wiggle room- never assert completely anything . Responses like “That’s definitely one way to look at it” or “I see where you’re coming from” leave enough openness for interpretation yet evade any explicit agreement.

Being Non-Specific Always Helps

Even better than being vague is just being intentionally nonspecific altogether. Example would be telling somebody that ‘it was good seeing them,’ versus going into specifics on various aspects as well as why exactly spending time together was enjoyable if indeed it wasn’t. Don’t go too deep into detail- keep things comfortably light!

Playing Both Sides

Another technique for using the power of not really meaning is playing both sides. For example, imagine you’re at a family gathering and two relatives are talking politics about an issue that you don’t have a solid, fully-formed opinion on. Rather than committing to one side or the other, try agreeing with parts of each argument without actually taking a stance yourself!

When Not Really Meaning Goes Too Far: Passive-Aggression

However as they say- too much of anything might be bad! Going too far with not really meaning can take stock in passive aggression where people act nice but are chewing things out behind your back. Being non-committal should not always inadvertently translate into being insincere – we still need to operate within reason.

The Power Play

Tread carefully when employing tactics such as this – it also runs the very high risk that people may perceive it as manipulative behavior or overthinking everything.. And If somebody feels belittled / insulted by your antics because quite essentially motivations were agenda-driven from ground up , then gory consequences shall ensue rather than finding humor in what was merely jest.

Wrapping It All Up

Now you know how powerful not really meaning something can be -but funnily enough maybe it’s demonstrated best when chosen deliberately~

There’s no denying that knowing when and HOW to use those techniques could prove helpful in navigating tricky conversational terrain regardless who does them ~ winks. To recap our key learnings today,

• Mastering vagueness,
• Being intentionally nonspecific ,
• Playing both sides,

will all help give you more conversational maneuverability employing varying degrees of effectiveness.
Remember: striking balance between efficiency vs ambiguity/confusion requires impeccable timing & delivery so must utilize sparingly necessitating intuitiveness amongst other factors.

Dane Raynor

Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!