157k views
5 votes
Is ambiguity or vagueness the main problem with this claim?

"Now, how would you like your hair cut, Madam?"
claim: "Oh, just make it a little shorter."

User Ates Goral
by
8.2k points

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The claim 'Oh, just make it a little shorter' is ambiguous, lacking in detail which can lead to misinterpretation and unintended haircut results, as exemplified by characters in the provided excerpts.

Step-by-step explanation:

The claim, "Oh, just make it a little shorter," posed by a customer to a barber, illustrates a case of ambiguity. Ambiguity arises when a statement or instruction is open to multiple interpretations, lacking clear, definitive direction.

In the context of haircut instructions, such a claim lacks specificity, which can lead to an outcome that does not align with the customer's expectations, as seen in the provided excerpts where a character experiences regret after a dramatic hair alteration. The haircuts described in these passages are significant changes that go beyond making the hair 'a little shorter,' suggesting that the claim's brevity and non-specificity set the stage for miscommunication.

There are several vivid examples provided that show the consequences of such ambiguity. For instance, a character ends up with 'lank lifeless blocks' instead of curls, causing her distress. Another character decides to bob her hair, foregoing further discussion, initiating a significant transformation without the barber having a clear understanding of her desire. These scenarios underpin the importance of precise communication in avoiding undesired outcomes.

User Octavian Niculescu
by
8.7k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.