PRACTICAL SPEAKING GUIDE

Check working preferences without cultural stereotypes

A colleague says “That may be difficult” when asked about a deadline.

2026-09-27 · Original teaching notes by SpeakBEC

Start with the situation

A colleague says “That may be difficult” when asked about a deadline. You are unsure whether they mean no, need more information or see a manageable obstacle. Their nationality does not tell you which interpretation is right.

A possible exchange

When you say it may be difficult, is the timing the main issue, or is something else blocking it?

The approval step usually takes two days.

Would sending the draft today help, or do we need to agree a later date?

Why this works

Ask about the meaning of the specific message, then the working constraint. This avoids treating an individual as a representative of a whole culture. The same words can mean different things depending on authority, relationship, workload and context.

You can also ask about process preferences directly: “Would you rather review a draft in writing before we discuss it?” That creates a practical agreement without diagnosing the other person’s communication style. Recap important decisions in clear terms and invite correction. If nobody has explicitly accepted a deadline, do not assume that politeness or silence constitutes agreement.

Change the condition and try it

A remote teammate replies “We’ll try” to a Friday request. Ask one respectful clarification about feasibility, then agree either a confirmed deliverable or a time for a firmer answer. Do not infer their intention from where they live.

Try a spoken or written response before checking it. Did you address the changed condition? Could the listener identify the next step? The model is not the only acceptable answer.