Understanding the British- Daniel Gomez Irwin

I recently came across an email with a funny yet interesting translation table to decipher what British people really mean when having a conversation.

Britons are famous for their extreme politeness, but this politically correctness comes with its own tolls when having to talk without speaking one's mind.

For anyone that speaks with British people, or is going to travel there, or maybe just for the sake of learning, here's the table that will help you understand what Britons actually often mean when saying things like "I hear what you say" or "very interesting".

Confused? Don't worry. Practice makes perfect.

When you were a kid you learnt pretty quickly that when mum said "if you tell me what you've done, I won't get angry", she actually meant "tell me what you did, you're in big trouble anyway". Now you know that when Britons say "I almost agree", they actually mean "I don't agree at all".

The Telegraph says that "although the author of the table is unconfirmed, it is thought it may have originally been drawn up by a Dutch company as an attempt to help employees working in the UK".

So... do you prefer if people talk to you with such extreme politeness, do you prefer the blunt truth, or would you rather have something in between?

Write your comments below and let us know what you think!

Daniel Gomez Irwin