Ever know someone that ALWAYS misinterprets every email?

[Keli]

There is someone in an organization that I frequently have to consult with that consistently misinterprets every email sent to her. It seems she never, ever understands the question being posed to her but rather gives an answer that in no way answers the question.
It's almost funny now. I guess I would have thought it was just me and my communication style except that I am friends with someone else that also has to consult with this individual and the same thing happens.
If I call her one the phone (not preferred, they would rather you email) she seems to understand and is able to answer my questions with appropriate answers. It's only in email form that she seems to get confused.
The thing is she is obviously an intelligent person and if I understand correctly she's been doing the same job for quite a few years.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

LOL - I took over the management of a person (male) who has this same problem. He is a very bright man, but he reads waaaay too much into email. Even after a little over a year of coaching, he still has this problem. It will be in his performance review again this year...

 

[KimmyDisneyNerd]

Yes, I have one of those on my "team" at work. Without fail she will always send back a reply that makes NO sense or completely off subject. She also always "replies all" of course.

On that subject I notice on a couple of boards I visit (the Dis included) there always seem to be a few that reply the same way. No matter what the OP is stating or asking, the poster will be WAY off.

 

[roseprincess]

My DH and I used to be in a parents small group for special needs families with 3 other couples of special needs kids(it was thru our church,tho we met in homes). Anyways, sometimes us moms would email each other of logistical stuff, about the next meetings, etc. This one mom would question any emails I sent to her. She would keep asking me "what do you mean by this"? etc. I thought my emails were straight forward, but she kept questioning what I meant. I thought it was very bizarre. I'm guessing she must have been reading too much in my emails She has been the only person ever I know that has questioned my emails.

 

[Piecey]

On that subject I notice on a couple of boards I visit (the Dis included) there always seem to be a few that reply the same way. No matter what the OP is stating or asking, the poster will be WAY off.

I agree.
I hate when threads get a little nasty because some poster gets the wrong idea over what the person was truly asking.

It's easy to misunderstand things over the internet, though. DH is more the type of person who would understand on the phone, but not an e-mail.