Misconceptions

I came across the word misconception when I was learning English and searched for the meaning of the idiom “the wrong end of the stick”.

The dictionary told me that “to get the wrong end of the stick” is to completely misunderstand a situation, conversation or a piece of information.

Misconception is described in a similar manner, i.e. a mistaken belief, wrong idea, or false notion resulting from a misunderstanding or faulty reasoning. 

My induction into a foreign tongue was full of confusion and contradictions.

I had been told that the first things I would  learn  would be  swear words and bawdy language.

But had I misunderstood and they had said 'body language'?

Over the years my speech and comprehension improved and I became confident enough to avoid embarrassing bloopers.

OOO

The company for which I worked had changed hands a few times and on the last occasion a new financial director had been appointed.

He decided to interview all the sections heads in person to assess their suitability to their roles.

When my turn came, he looked at me expressionless, with a 'poker face, and consulted a folder containing my previous appraisals.

“I see that you are able to manage your workload during the working day, error free and on time”, he remarked. 

I felt reassured by those words which sounded like a positive feedback.

Following his statement, he simply added

“You don't do any overtime and seem happy to work from 9 to 5.”

I knew that a lot of employees put in extra hours unnecessarily, just to increase their pay packet, and I was against that practice.

“I believe that if a job is done efficiently, there is no need for overtime, Sir”, was my honest reply.

He didn't make any comment thanked me and left.

I had made my position clear and was certain there could not be any misunderstanding.

I expected that my performance would be satisfactorily reflected in the next salary review.

As it happened, it appeared there had been a misunderstanding after all. On my part.

I had wrongly assumed that that I had  steered clear of any pitfall. I reality the impression that the my assessor got from the interview was that I didn't have enough work on my plate.

The only increment I received was not monetary but extra responsibility and supplementary tasks.