Correcting people vs. sounding like an ass

Eevee · #1 02-02-2006, 04:20 AM

I have a cold virus, and I was just mentioning it to my friend when she said something along the lines of, "Its a virus, you just have to let the antibiotics do its job" I am assuming she thought that I was taking antibiotics or thought that nyquil was an antibiotic. Do you correct your friend and risk sounding like a smart ass? I think correcting is the rite move but can't really think of a really good way to phrase it.
Anyone else with similar situations?

-EV

Blarg · #2 02-02-2006, 04:22 AM

Rite should be spelled R-I-G-H-T.

You were also missing a comma and have some other punctuation errors.

Stuey · #3 02-02-2006, 04:46 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Rite should be spelled R-I-G-H-T.

You were also missing a comma and have some other punctuation errors.

[/ QUOTE ]

The problem you run into when you decide to correct people is often you are only doing it to make yourself feel superior. But if you truly just want to help the person see or think about something in a way they never considered before you could try using a little humor in your explanation.

Problem is when this backfires you must be willing to be viewed as a pompous ass by said friend. Plus the most popular people are those who can let others feel superior yet still be viewed as someone with an opinion worth influencing.

I hope you feel better soon and so does your friend even Blarg knows you are keen enough to get his meaning so that is a good sign people like you so just keep doing what you are doing. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

She probably meant antibodies(white blood cells) as in let your immune system win the fight and you will feel better.

jhfranklin · #4 02-02-2006, 04:24 AM

if she knew it was a virus, then you need to set her straight

squeek12 · #5 02-02-2006, 04:25 AM

I struggle with this on a day to day basis, especially with my wife's family. They are small town to the bone, and not the brightest bunch for the most part. Very stubborn and set in their ways. And I'm the arguing type, so I'm constantly having to bite my lip to avoid coming off as the know-it-all jerk that I probably really am.

I find that I'm constantly regretting arguments like this, so I suggest that you just let her go on about how antibiotics are kicking some virus ass.

Eevee · #6 02-02-2006, 04:27 AM

I have a cold virus and I was just mentioning it to my friend when she said something along the lines of, "It's a virus, you just have to let the antibiotics do its job" I am assuming she thought that I was taking antibiotics or thought that nyquil was an antibiotic. Do you correct your friend and risk sounding like a smart ass? I think correcting is the right move but can't really think of a really good way to phrase it. Anyone else have expieriences with similar situations?

-EV

captZEEbo · #7 02-02-2006, 04:29 AM

you can phrase it like, "not that it matters, but ACTUALLY..."

miajag · #8 02-02-2006, 04:29 AM

Are you talking about correcting her misconception that Nyquil is an antibiotic, or her misconception that antibiotics kill viruses?

Eevee · #9 02-02-2006, 04:33 AM

Well she didnt mention about nyquil specifically, i was just assuming that her basic misconception was with the fact that she thought antibiotics were used to treating viruses, and since she knew i was taking nyquil...

CardSharpCook · #10 02-02-2006, 04:46 AM

often times, when someone misspeaks, but I know what they are trying to say, I simply nod and let them continue. The time o correct is when you can do it front of no one else, so they are not losing face in front of their peers. However, you do not need to rush to correct people. In this case, since it sounds like a conversation btwn the two of you, you can correct her, explaining the diffence btwn Antibodies and antibiotics, or nyquil and antibiotics. Whatever the mixup was.