* 5 Directing a Conversation (p.1 of 8)
5.1 ��When you signal that you are getting to the point
Let me be perfectly clear.�� Listen�� <�Let me be perfectly clear. I don�t want any trouble, neither for you nor for me.�>
May I be frank?�� Listen�� <�May I be frank? The way you are conducting business is unacceptable.�>
To make a long story short.�� Listen�� A �To avoid details of secondary importance.��� <�To make a long story short, we got to the airport just in time.�>
Let�s call a spade a spade.�� Listen�� A �Let�s give a thing its short definition.��� <�Let�s call a spade a spade. The company is bankrupt.�>
Here�s the bottom line.�� Listen�� A �Here is the conclusion.��� <�Here�s the bottom line. We have lost competition.�>
5.2�� When you make sure that your point is understood
Do you understand?�� Listen�� <�If you flunk this test, you can get kicked out of the school. Do you understand?�>
Understand?�� Listen�� <�Get out of my way and stop following me around. Understand?�>
You know?�� Listen�� <�This mineral water is really beneficial for your health. You know?� � �Yes, the local doctor told me that.�>
Do you know what I�m talking about?�� Listen�� A �You can figure out what I am talking about, can�t you?��� <�There is an old ruin north of the town. Do you know what I�m talking about?�>
Do you know what I am saying? Listen <“The view of the valley from the mountain peak is majestic. Do you know what I’m saying?” – “Yes, I know. I‘ve been there. I‘ve seen it.”>
Do you know what I mean?�� Listen�� <�It�s not just hot in Sahara, it�s really hot! Do you know what I mean?� � �Yes, it�s one of the hottest places on the planet.�>
If you know what I mean.�� Listen�� <�I�ve got to purchase some of those high-intensity electric light bulbs, if you know what I mean.� � �Halogen lights. I need them, too.�>
Do you see what I mean?�� Listen�� <�If our airplane arrives late, we�ll get stuck at the airport. There will be no bus or taxi available until next morning. Do you see what I mean?� � �Well, I don�t like it.�>
Do you see where I�m coming from?�� Listen�� A �Do you understand my logic?��� <�Unemployment causes lack of demand, and low demand causes unemployment. This vicious cycle should be broken. Do you see where I am coming from?�>
Don�t you see?�� Listen�� A �Don�t you understand?��� <�Why have you done that?� � �The circumstances forced me to. Don�t you see?�>
Do you hear what I�m saying?�� Listen�� <�This deal is bad. We�ve got to get out of it. Do you hear what I�m saying?�>
Do you hear me?�� Listen�� <�We need to solve this problem as soon as possible. Do you hear me?�>
Does that make any sense?�� Listen�� <�We have to introduce new products to the market one at a time. Otherwise, we create competition between our products. Does that make sense?�>
Am I making sense?�� Listen�� <�If we neglect a slightest detail, the entire project can be ruined. Am I making sense?�>
Am I right?�� Listen�� A �Is what I am saying correct?��� <�Using the same logic, you should come to the same conclusion. Am I right?�>
Do you follow me? Listen A “Do you understand the continuity of my thought?” <“First, prepare dough. Second, beat three eggs. Then, chop onions. Do you follow me?”>
Do you follow?�� Listen�� A �Do you track my thought?��� <�If you open a savings account with our bank, you will earn 1% more in interest plus you�ll get an annual bonus. Do you follow?�>
Are you following me?�� Listen�� A �Are you keeping up with what I am saying?��� <�Cross the bridge and keep driving until you see a large cornfield on both sides of the road. Turn left at the intersection. Are you following me?�>
Are you with me on this?�� Listen�� <�As you see, there�s no chance we could win that fight. We simply didn�t have adequate resources. Are you with me on this?�>
Are you with me so far?�� Listen�� <�I explained you how I came to this conclusion. Are you with me so far?�>
Do you get the message?�� Listen�� A �Do you understand what I am telling you?��� <�People don�t behave like that at your age. Grow up! Do you get the message?� � �I guess so��>
Do you get the picture?�� Listen�� A �Do you understand the situation?��� <�If we fail to make a good presentation, they will close our project. Do you get the picture?� � �Yes, I get it.�>
Do you get it?�� Listen�� <�The boss ordered us to complete the project by the end of the month. Do you get it? � �Yes, I do.� � �Well, then, get to work.�>
Do you agree?�� Listen�� <�We need to save our strength for the final game. Do you agree?�>
5.3�� When you are ready to make a statement
Please be advised that��� Listen�� <�Please be advised that due to stormy weather, your flight is cancelled.�>
For your information,��� Listen�� A �This is to inform you.��� <�For your information, all airplanes are grounded until further notice.�>
It�s a pleasure to inform you that��� Listen�� <�It�s a pleasure to inform you that our team won the school competition.�>
I regret to inform you that��� Listen�� <�I regret to inform you that our project was cancelled.�>
I hate to disappoint you, but��� Listen�� <�I hate to disappoint you, but we have to cancel our trip.�>
I apologize for the inconvenience, but��� Listen�� <�I apologize for the inconvenience, but we have to delay your flight for technical reasons.�>
If I may say so,��� Listen�� <�If I may say so, you are the kindest person I know.�>
If it�s okay with you,��� Listen�� <�If it�s OK with you, I would like to spend our next vacation in Brazil.�>
If it pleases you,��� Listen�� <�If it pleases you, I suggest that we eat dinner out tonight.�>
If I may be so bold,��� Listen�� A �If I am allowed to make such a bold statement,���� <�If I may be so bold, the government has got to get its act together before this country falls into a massive deficit.�>
As you know,��� Listen�� <�As you know, I don�t like airplanes. Let�s take a train.�>
As you might know,��� Listen�� <�As you might know, our company manufactures high-tech electronic equipment.�>
As you may already know,��� Listen�� <�As you may already know, there was an accident in the Gulf of Mexico.�>
As you are aware,��� Listen�� <�As you are aware, money doesn�t grow on trees.�>
As you are no doubt aware,��� Listen�� <�As you are no doubt aware, the boss made a decision to close down your project.�>
Not that it�s any of my business, but��� Listen�� <�Not that it�s any of my business, but the way you spend money is not necessarily an example of frugality.�>
I�m just saying��� Listen�� <�I�m just saying that State Law should not contradict Federal Law.�>
What I would like to say is��� Listen�� <�What I would like to say is there�s nothing new in this new theory.�>
Let me just say��� Listen�� <�Let me just say that this small technical improvement didn�t go unnoticed by the leading scientists.�>
I just wanted to say��� Listen�� <�I just wanted to say that there�s no accounting for taste, that�s all.�>
I want to bring up the following...�� Listen�� A �I want to introduce, submit, mention...��� <�We discussed the notion of allegory. Now, I want to bring up the notion of parable.�>
By the same token,��� Listen�� A �By analogy, similarly, likewise.��� <�When my sister likes a man, she loves him, and, by the same token, when she dislikes a man, she hates him.�>
By the way,��� Listen�� A �Following the same train of thought and in addition to it.��� <�Thank you for your reminder about the rain. By the way, this year we have had more rains than usually, don�t you think so?�>
Incidentally,��� Listen�� A �As a new related topic...��� <�The boss is going to have a party this weekend. Incidentally, I have never received an invitation to this party.�>
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