You planned to meet up with someone at 2 but it’s 2:05 and they haven’t arrived, they haven’t even contacted you.
You craft a message to them. It simply says:
‘Where are you?’
You’re about to hit send. When you’re old pal Jeeves appears at your shoulder.
‘Might I make a suggestion sir?’
‘Please do Jeeves’
‘If you were to rephrase your message to questioning the proximity of your acquaintance it might avoid a certain tension associated with that question’
‘An excellent suggestion Jeeves old boy!’
‘I endeavor to satisfy sir’
Jeeves leaves you to it and you replace the rather accusatory
‘Where are you?’
with the gentler…
‘Are you near?’
The ability to find the tactful phrase is a great skill!
Thomas Duggan 