Tangentializing

Ever had a conversation where you missunderstood a phrase or word and then replied or carried on the mistaken track? Well that is what we at "work" call tangentializing. It doesn't have to be a complete misunderstanding, just a divergence from where the conversation was originally headed.

Sometimes a tangentialization will occur to an individual while someone else is holding forth on a particular topic. (Usually at lunch, or prior to begining class)In those cases we have established a set of rules to cover the situation.

The person wishing to tangentialize is allowed to pick up a tissue, napkin, or even a page of newspaper to throw into the middle of the table. This acts as a tangential time-out or segue. The person who has thrown the segue flag now has control of the conversation.

Several things can happen at this point:

1. The segue flag thrower can insert the tangentialization and offer the change in direction of conversation.

2. The segue flag thrower can hold up an index finger state the proposed change and ask for help in remembering the topic. (lots of us are getting older)

3. The segue flag thrower can, as often happens, stammer and wish they could remember why they threw the flag. (happens more often than we would like)

The segue flag throwing is only for formal interuptions, or serious tangentializing. Usually one will just misconstrue, go down the wrong road and end up in a blind alley looking at all the tin cans, trash cans and stand scratching one's head wondering "what happened"?

There are some things that I don't understand. Does everybody's workplace have this sort of interaction?