June 25, 2008

Conversing with lesser humans

The Chronicle's new blogger, Marty Nemko, on how elite, educated people can communicate with the unwashed common folk:
I disagree with [Deresiewicz’s] contention that being elite-educated makes you incapable of talking with uneducated people. . . If you make the effort to keep your speech clear and concise, ask about things the person is likely to care about: e.g., family, friends, the Red Sox, and listen carefully, you’ll do fine.
Examples:
Do. . . you . . . have . . . a fam-i-ly?  
Do your friends also work at the gas station?
How bout dem Sox?