“In addition to using positive language, we also want to **word our requests in the form of concrete actions that others can undertake** and to avoid vague, abstract, or ambiguous phrasing. “A cartoon depicts a man who has fallen into a lake. **As he struggles to swim, he shouts to his dog on shore, “Lassie, get help!” In the next frame, the dog is lying on a psychiatrist’s couch**. We all know how opinions vary as to what constitutes “help”: some members of my family, when asked to help with the dishes, think “help” means supervision.” --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[communication-skills]], [[giving-instructions]], [[teaching-anecdotes]], [[expressing-needs]], [[crucial-conversations]], **Source** -- [[251115105628 - B - Nonviolent Communication]]