What's that in layman's terms?

[purplepoppy]

This year I've been working on being less condescending. As some of the brighter among you might know, condescending means 'to talk down to people.'

A few of you (a few means more than one) haven't made it easy and I've found myself having to dumb things down and go really slow.

Which brings me to my question, if you don't understand something, how do you feel about asking people to explain it in more simple terms?

Are you embarrassed at looking dumb or do you feel people should make the effort to explain things in layman's terms?

[MrOracle]

I enjoy learning new things - I spend a lot of time feeding my mind - and I learned that useful knowledge can come from anyone. But I am often interested in complex or specialized topics in fields I haven't specialized in, and I have never been embarrassed to ask for explanations.

I'm sure that some of my questions about lithium battery chemistries or rocket fuels or Ai are very basic and low-level to people who work in those fields for a living, but those with answers are usually happy to educate me - even if just by referring me to a good article or reference.

I have to explain complicated things to my customers all the time, and some are more technical than others, but I am able to get the concept across to them at whatever level they are. And I never forget that these are all successful people who can afford better lifestyles than my own, so it's not like they are dumb - they just have different specialties.

It's usually the least educated who are the ones who give you a hard time for asking questions. That's their insecurities at work.

[JacobJordan]

If I don't understand something I ask or do my own research or rely on the expertise of someone who does know. I spent from 6-26 learning absolutely everything I could (a lot not by choice) so I am used to the feeling of "I don't understand this particular thing I should ask for clarification" also condescending and educating are not the same despite the fact both can come off the same way. Educating (dumbing things down to help someone understand) is a very common practice especially for children. I own a laboratory and one of the things all of my staff do is I have them explain a simplified version of our work to my kids, a room of teenagers, a group of young adults, and a group of adults with some preexisting understanding of the field. Why? Because when we need to present our findings to places like the fda, cdc, who not everyone on the panel understands the field this allows all my staff to be able to present the same information for any given intelligence level and understanding

[SherriMarieValentine]

Only pride keeps people from seeking knowledge. One can not find out by osmosis. One either has to ask or do research.

[Siri137]

I don't need to have anything explained in layman's terms, because I already know everything. :)

[Sonorous]

Nah, I never feel dumb in a bad way. Only in a good way. Because the fact that I'm wanting them to simplify it means that I'm interested in learning at all. And to learn anything takes certain levels of progression. Else it will be unnecessarily confusing & overwhelming. & no great progress will be made.

[RavVid]

:) A few actually means a small number but I'd suggest it is more than two not more than one. I'll explain why simply :)

If you were wanting one of an item you could say 'one' or 'single' or just use the singular as in 'a beer'.

There are quite a few words for two including 'two'. We could say 'a pair' or 'a couple' or 'a brace' to be upmarket

Three of an item is not well covered. You could say triple or triplet in some circumstances or even thrice.

I might ask you to pass me a nail meaning one or a couple if I just want two or a few nails if I know I need more but not sure on how many yet. I would never expect you to pass two nails in response to my request for a few nails.

The definition of a few being a small number is being further constrained by common usage and existence of word forms for one or two and must mean 3 or more.

[mstbooblover]

We are who we are, and there is no shame in not understanding something, whether we're dumb or not. In any case asking for explanations is nearly always the best thing to do if one really cares about a particular topic.

For the person being asked for explanations, it's also an excellent exercise in finding correct plain words to explain. At least if that person really wants to be understood. One of my uncles once made me understand that when one does know very well a particular topic, one will find the correct words to explain what it is about.

[abc3643]

People should make an effort.

For instance, if I said:

"You know, just look at that root locus! That one zero is in the right-half plane, so, if you make the gain too high, you're going to be unstable."

Now, chances are you have no idea what I just said. To certain people who know what I know, this would be "intuitive to the most casual observer". But not at all to a layperson. The layperson is usually not stupid; just not knowledgeable yet.

[abc3643]

So, if I then realized the lay person didn't understand what I said, I'd try to explain it. I have to admit, in this case, it might take a good amount of explaining... Like a course in automatic control theory that I used to teach 35 years ago.

But, I'd give it a shot but using a real-world example instead of something from mathematics.

[abc3643]

Meanwhile, if I was oblivious that the lay person was indeed a lay person, the lay person should not feel ashamed to ask me what I meant. People have to have the courage to speak up if they don't know. That's not always the case, but, often, it is true... especially if you are new to something like a new job.

[AviatorTom]

When I don't understand something, and I want to understand it, I always ask for an explanation.

So, would you please explain what the Welsh flag was before 1959, when the dragon was added?

[purplepoppy]

the dragon's been flown since Roman times in different forms making it the oldest flag in the world still in use, although the design has altered over the centuries.
here's some pictures of ones from 1807 to 1959 www.felinfach.com/.../welsh-flag-red-dragon-flag-of-wales

[andreasderjuengere]

I'm living within a culture that isn't mine, and that has a rudimentary understanding of 'my' language.

At work specifically, I have reasonable results by using hand gestures, sketches and body language.

I do the same with specific members of ''my own'' culture.

I want results, and I am aware that 'they' cannot rise to my own level of conscious and performing existence. To remain the superiour being that I am, I thus need to dumb down when it's required.

[goaded]

That was one of the most excellent traits of Emily Deschanel's character in Bones; she wasn't afraid to say "I don't know who/what that is". I always was, and that was a huge mistake.

Now I know everything, the problem never comes up.

[CalmUntilAbused]

Whoa, that was a nice one. However, I suppose I'm quite good at recovering obfuscated data. Therefore, I don't think I'd often need to have anything explained to me in layman's terms.

[Jersey2]

No, I don’t feel dumb at all to ask people to explain it in clear terms as many lack the ability to communicate effectively… so it’s not me who should feel dumb. They over complicate things, confuse themselves or get lost in their own argument as most aren’t that educated. It’s a skill to get right to the point which most have not and will not master. The world needs dishwashers though.

[LeeVan]

I wouldn't feel dumb. They could have 20 times more knowledge about cars than me and I wouldn't care if they have to break it down Barney style.

I have my own area of expertise and they have their's.

[elaphe]

It depends on who the person I'm asking is. If the person is an authority figure (teacher, boss, etc.) I might be more embarrassed than if it were a friend or family member.

[mandyfire98]

Hahaha. I want to make a statue in honor of you. Do you prefer bronze, gold or silver?

[Jennz6]

Say that in layman’s terms

[purplepoppy]

Bronze and make it huge. The other two metals would just get nicked.

[mandyfire98]

Oh I'm thinking like the size of that giant statue that was one of the wonders of the world. Ships to go between your legs. Everybody wins. You get honored and the ships below get an upskirt view.

[purplepoppy]

Fuck yeah, I want my legs to stretch from Wales to Ireland and everyone on the ferry must bow as they pass beneath.

[mandyfire98]

Now I want it to exist. It's going on my vision board.

[RedInnocent68]

Don’t! Never dumb yourself down. You be you, and give others the opportunity to grow with you.

[es20490446e]

I explain myself pretty simple because I'm the most intelligent 😄

[Sparkie460]

Can you explain this question in much simpler terms 🤔 🙄

[Jennz6]

Yes, I don’t always understand

[RedInnocent68]

That’s okay. You’re kind. You’re not afraid to ask. Stay curious. People want to help you. 🤗🤗😘😘

[douride2]

What are you Talking about her girl?

[trellbrown84]

Walk away and let them figure it the fuck out