I looked at the menu for a while trying to decide between a latte and hot cocoa. I had never been to this cafe in Chicago so wanted to make sure that I chose correctly. When the server came to take our order I asked for his opinion. Cocoa or latte? The conversation that followed went like this:
Server: I’d go with the latte. They are awesome. Do you like limitless coffee?
Me: ABSOLUTELY, I’d LOVE limitless coffee.
Server: Well, then sounds like you should do the latte.
Me: So, even the lattes are limitless, not just the coffee?
Server: Yup, lattes are limitless too.
I love lattes and it seemed unfathomable that they would give unlimited amounts out. But, he reassured me that even with a latte I’d be able to get limitless coffee. At no other point in life had I ever been offered free refills on a latte. My mind was made up.
I cut myself off at 4 lattes. Four was a good number, I only had a slight stomachache and I felt like I had taken advantage of the free refills. But, the undeniable bliss I felt was cut short. I was so confused when my bill came and I owed twenty dollars for the lattes. I asked the server about the cost. Turns out that in this case, Limitless Coffee was a brand of coffee and not a description about the amount.
The server and I laughed it off, but that is not how situations based on assumptions usually go. Most of the time one or both people are frustrated and fail to see the other person’s perspective. I’m thinking Why wouldn’t I assume limitless meant free refills? On the other hand, the server is thinking I was straight forward, it is not my fault she didn’t get it. It wasn’t his fault and it wasn’t mine either. The truth is that we all make assumptions all the time.
Assumptions aren’t always bad. They make us more efficient… until they don’t. Assuming a patient’s pain is coming from the hip based on her history isn’t wrong until you neglect to check the low back because of your assumption. The problem is not in the fact that we make the assumptions, but that we don’t realize when we do it.
In every relationship whether personal or professional, we need to be aware of the assumptions that we make. We cannot assume our assumptions are true.
We may not always get a receipt to point out our false assumption. It is on us to make sure our interpretations and perceptions are correct. So, check for understanding, ask for clarification, and seek feedback. Sometimes we may just pay extra (more like the correct amount) for coffee, but other times we may find ourselves in an undesired outcome because of those assumptions. Don’t wait for the receipt, get further clarification when you are still looking at the menu.
How do you keep your assumptions in check?