9 Words Women Use

Generally speaking, we MEN are not as skilled at picking up verbal cues or communicating as women. Here are 9 words that women use to communicate their feelings.

9 WORDS WOMEN USE

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't do It.

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you. Do not question, or faint; just say you're welcome. I want to add in a clause here: This is true unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" in this case, for that will bring on a "whatever".

(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying F*cK YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Burton Fletcher
www.USAMonuments.com
www.ValdostaMemorials.com
Burton@USAMonuments.com

Communication: The Written Apology

I am certain that in the course of communications I have irritated more than my share of folks in this world. For those whom I have caused offense, please accept my apology.

Saying you are sorry for an action can be catharthic for all involved. It is easy to be misunderstood in face-to-face communications, and even more so during written communications.

I read an email today that I think is humorous, good natured and progressive.

"Thanks, Guy. Point well taken. The "Rosanna Dana" comment at the end of my original note applied in large part, because, in large part, we were all in agreement. As I wrote Tony privately, my misunderstanding of his original note led to the string of emails where folks who actually agree seem to think they don't. My fault. Tony is great. You're handsome. Jim is brilliant. Jay is wonderful. My dog is not fat, just big boned. Group hug. Separate showers."

What a terrific message to express sorrow at causing offense, but doing so in a way that is humorous and will leave positive feelings with all on the board. I admire the ability to write this way. Perhaps all of us can learn from this person's apology.

Burton Fletcher
Burton@USAMonuments.com
www.USAMonuments.com

If Not Death-Care Industry, What Term Would You Use?

I commence this post with the question, "If not 'death-care industry', what term would you use?"

I recall a segment (Season 2, Episode 15, I believe) on "Six-Feet Under" a terrific program produced by HBO Entertainment, that had a discussion between Nate Fisher and the evil corporate representative from Kroehner, a fictitiously named company, typical of the large corporations that are gobbling up funeral homes across the United States.

As the discussion proceeded, David would use a familiar word, and the Krohner representative would use a euphemism for that word.

(If anyone has the details on which script this was please let me know and I will update this article and give you credit for the information. )

This brings me to the point that we now use the term, "death-care industry" to encompass a whole range of activities relating to the death (should I write 'passing'?) of an individual. Has the language become too sanitized? Has the industry become too commercialized?

If anyone has a list of words that are used in the death-care industry, please pass it along to me for future publication.

For example:

Word:..........Euphemism:

Died............ Passed away

The Troll love ya'll.

The Granite Troll receives his e-mail through Burton@USAMonuments.com.

Emotional Quotient: Are Funeral Homes Naturally More Effective At Monument Sales?

I have been trying to compare the emotional quotient of monument builders, compared to that of funeral directors, and whether these differences are having a negative impact on the effectiveness of the monument industry as a whole?

Are monument builders generally less educated, and consequently, less effective at oral and written communication skills compared to their colleagues in funeral homes?

Is this a good thing, or a bad thing for the death-care industry, or for the consumer?

If consumers had confidence in monument builders, as an industry, wouldn't they be the first point of contact for a monument?

Perhaps it is because of these superior communication skills that funeral homes sell more monuments than monument dealers, except for those monument dealers paying kickbacks and working hand in glove with the funeral homes.

It is pervasive across the death-care industry that monument builders feel they must pay kickbacks to obtain business. The opposite is seemingly less true.

Even the Monument Builders of North America recognize this scheme but seems to justify the practice by stating that the kickback should be disclosed to the consumer to be ethical. Okay? I would like to see the statistics on disclosure. How about you?

Are kickbacks the vehicle by which monument builders with inferior communication skills are achieving their success?

Are funeral homes naturally more effective at monument sales because of their superior communication skills? And, can the monument industry become more effective by requiring a higher level of education to enter the field?

What are your thoughts?

Burton@USAMonuments.com
www.USAMonuments.com