Summary Of But What Do You Mean By Deborah Tannen

“But What do You Mean?” is an excerpt from Deborah Tannen’s book Talking from 9 to 5 for Redbook Magazine. Tannen begins by explaining the simple business communications that ensue between people and the different ways simple business communications are interpreted by men and women. Women seem to take others feelings into consideration when speaking with them, whereas men want to one-up their position or maintain their position. These differences are divided into seven areas of miscommunication. The seven areas are: apologies, criticism, thank-yous, fighting, praise, complaints and jokes. Apologies seem to be women’s forte, they apologize too much and men see this as self-deprecating. Thus, apologies are not always a bad thing but one should