Re: Face Value or between the lines
There is a saying in Urdu:
Munh Se Nikli Baat Paraai.
It means when anyone says something or utter something then whatever is said is no longer is the property of the person who said the sentence.
The listener can take the meaning in whatever context the listener understand.
In this context, the person who says something should be careful what that person really wants to say.
BUT
1- the listener may take the wrong meaning based on his/her own understanding which may be different and even opposite to the person who said something.
2- Mistakes can happen and if the listener has any doubt then **listener should clarify the meaning.
**
In the end the listener does have responsibility to take the whatever is spoken or written in the best interest of both individuals.
Example: Many people do not know what to choose the right word (specially in any foreign language) for conveying the correct message and those people should not be held responsible for any mistake.