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by pwagland 3056 days ago
This is, of course, also true.

However, at least in the case of the Dutch, there is more to it than that. The Dutch have no problems saying "that's not right" whether they say that in Dutch or English, that particular phrase translates to the same thing (Dat klopt niet vs that's not right). And they have no problems (in general) saying that to a stranger, their boss, or their subordinate.
1 comments
mantas 3056 days ago
Who would have a problem stating "that's not right" if something is indeed wrong? Americans seem to have no problems to say this either.

The only case I could come up with is Indians. But maybe that's just my experience with cheap outsourcing...

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pwagland 3056 days ago
Well, the author of the article is assumedly from the UK. In general, this is not what they would say. They would say something like "respectfully, I'm not sure that's correct". One is a lot more "direct" than the other.
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mantas 3056 days ago
Do people actually say that in their daily lives? I thought that's only IT Crowd over-the-top joke :|
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Smaug123 3056 days ago
More like "Are you sure? I'm worried that <opposite of thing interlocutor just said>." or "Sorry, I think it's actually <opposite>". Both in an apologetic tone. The word "respectfully" sounds like it's trying too hard: it's a bit overtly subordinate and ingratiating.
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