This is the first information request thread I remember derailing into a discussion of communication strategies. Well done, everyone!
Tell me if I got this wrong, @beastlymm: you think your objection to the wording in the guide is appropriate, but it is inappropriate for others to object to your wording?
Also, I think you might also have chosen the wrong couple people to poke: I've never seen @daved7637397 say an unkind word (which is really something since he's from Philly), and the first post here by @rosesgirlnz includes a gif where she pokes fun at herself (which, I suppose, is to be expected from a person who likes marmite). Why insist they are being willfully obtuse? If, as you say, the "key to successful communication is to be understood," would it not make sense to conclude perhaps you failed to make yourself understood?
Since we're discussing communication strategies, let me point out the old "don't call me a liar" argument doesn't work outside high school cafeterias, and saying "I'm not being critical" before being critical is so famous for being disingenuous it has its own mountain of memes. When Roses posted a few funny examples of those memes, perhaps the better strategy would have been to post a meme of your own. Here's one:
https://media.giphy.com/media/d3Fz2JdKIxLOS7te/giphy.gif
