I'm one of those people who often changes how I say something depending on the crowd I'm in. I can be fairly casual with certain groups and highly proper with others.

I also don't tend to always speak with direct words. When I'm giving a presentation I do, but otherwise I tend to speak in concepts rather than straight out saying "yes or no." I got into that years ago when I realized that some people didn't react as well when I spoke directly to them. Many people will say they would rather you speak that way, but actions speak louder than words.

However, one thing I've been able to avoid are what I'm going to call "additive" words. Things such as "I wonder if there are any cookies, you know"? That's taking a direct statement that either should have been a question to begin with, and it makes people like me crazy. I hear that sentence and I wonder "am I supposed to answer that?"

My friend Kelvin found this interesting clip from a guy named Taylor Mali that I believe you'll find interesting. Do you find yourself saying things like this? Do you know others saying things like this? What are your thoughts?

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.