Have you ever had that moment where another person uses exactly the correct kind of language for the setting, and manages to do it in such a way that leaves no doubt as to the venom behind their words?
We live in a culture where the actual words someone says are often given far more weight than their intent, their meaning, or even their actions. We police “bad words” said even in benign or educational contexts while people use double-speak and entendres to bully coworkers or students.
Don’t be that person. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Be polite, but choose the words that match your meaning, and adjust your intent to do the same. Someone who doesn’t speak your language but hears your tone should come away with the exact same impression as someone who reads a transcript of your words with no tone at all attached. And the actions you take should match both.
The Opportunity Machine 