[TABLE] [TR="class: mod2notZero"] [TH]WHAT THE BRITISH SAY [/TH] [TH]WHAT THE BRITISH MEAN [/TH] [TH]WHAT FOREIGNERS UNDERSTAND [/TH] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2zero"] [TD]I hear what you say [/TD] [TD]I disagree and do not want to discuss it further [/TD] [TD]He accepts my point of view [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2notZero"] [TD]With the greatest respect [/TD] [TD]You are an idiot [/TD] [TD]He is listening to me [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2zero"] [TD]That's not bad [/TD] [TD]That's good [/TD] [TD]That's poor [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2notZero"] [TD]That is a very brave proposal [/TD] [TD]You are insane [/TD] [TD]He thinks I have courage [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2zero"] [TD]Quite good [/TD] [TD]A bit disappointing [/TD] [TD]Quite good [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2notZero"] [TD]I would suggest [/TD] [TD]Do it or be prepared to justify yourself [/TD] [TD]Think about the idea, but do what you like [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2zero"] [TD]Oh, incidentally/ by the way [/TD] [TD]The primary purpose of our discussion is [/TD] [TD]That is not very important [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2notZero"] [TD]I was a bit disappointed that [/TD] [TD]I am annoyed that [/TD] [TD]It doesn't really matter [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2zero"] [TD]Very interesting [/TD] [TD]That is clearly nonsense [/TD] [TD]They are impressed [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2notZero"] [TD]I'll bear it in mind [/TD] [TD]I've forgotten it already [/TD] [TD]They will probably do it [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2zero"] [TD]I'm sure it's my fault [/TD] [TD]It's your fault [/TD] [TD]Why do they think it was their fault? [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2notZero"] [TD]You must come for dinner [/TD] [TD]It's not an invitation, I'm just being polite [/TD] [TD]I will get an invitation soon [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2zero"] [TD]I almost agree [/TD] [TD]I don't agree at all [/TD] [TD]He's not far from agreement [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2notZero"] [TD]I only have a few minor comments [/TD] [TD]Please rewrite completely [/TD] [TD]He has found a few typos [/TD] [/TR] [TR="class: mod2zero"] [TD]Could we consider some other options [/TD] [TD]I don't like your idea [/TD] [TD]They have not yet decided [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]
As a former civil servant who trained as a barrister, I thought the original post has a disturbing amount of truth in it. Brilliant!
