There is an Italian saying that mentions asking someone about "garlic" and receiving an answer about "onions". Imagine requesting a friend to tell you the time and he/she starts mentioning episodes of their childhood. Or you ask information regarding France and they go on to talk about England. Absurd, you say? Absolutely not. I often experience this frustrating situation. Not in such blatant terms, it's more subtle and sometimes hardly detectable, but the situation persists. The result is that I cannot get the answer to the question I asked.
Why? I believe this happens because often people - instead of following what you are saying (or asking) - follow "their own" train of thoughts, move along a different track, dance at a tune that is not compatible with yours. Tango versus waltz? Twist versus cha-cha-cha? Yes, this is what possibly creates such incomprehension between individuals, groups, countries. Everyone pursues their own idea or goal without ever making any effort to understand what their interlocutor is talking about.
Why? I believe this happens because often people - instead of following what you are saying (or asking) - follow "their own" train of thoughts, move along a different track, dance at a tune that is not compatible with yours. Tango versus waltz? Twist versus cha-cha-cha? Yes, this is what possibly creates such incomprehension between individuals, groups, countries. Everyone pursues their own idea or goal without ever making any effort to understand what their interlocutor is talking about.
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