"I don't know" - what do we really mean and express?

When we hear, "I don't know.", we will probably perceive the speaker's uncertainty. But we don't always mean what we say literally. Often it depends on the context of the situation.

When we are asked for our opinion and we don't want to share it, the easiest thing for us to do is to say, "I don't know."

A different situation arises when we need to avoid an argument, where "I don't know " means, I don't want to discuss this, I'm not going to argue with you, I think I have my own opinion. Yet others often perceive this verbal contortion as unpleasant. And even if there is no exchange of views, they take away from our communication our unapproachable attitude.

The usual communication between parents and children:

"What did you do at school?"

"I don't know." Here it would probably mean - I don't want to go into it. Something similar happens to me with my kindergarten-age girl. She's full of impressions, but it's just not the right time to share them. It's best if they find it on their own and aren't so-called "interrogated".

"I don't know " in its true meaning is an expression of modesty, I'm sure you know: "I know I don't know anything ." Because there is so much information and knowledge that we cannot contain it all. The more we learn, the more we become aware of our ignorance.

Often the word "I don't know " is synonymous with "I'm not sure ", but what can we really be sure of? Is there really such a thing? Yet we need not emphasize our uncertainty.

A conversation between four friends after a film they have just seen:

"How did you like it?"

"I wasn't entirely convinced by the lead actor."

"I thought it was boring, the last one was better."

"What did you think?"

"Well, I don't know."

It's harder for others to read us when we're still hiding behind our "I don't know."

Another use of this expression is when the so-called "cup runs over" and we say, "I really don't know how to tell you anymore..." For example, we ask for something for a long time and get no response. Or the response is not what we would like.

Sometimes we are simply afraid to express our attitude, is it fear of rejection, of not being accepted? A different opinion is not always the wrong one. Others can lead to reflection and broadening of horizons, perception and understanding of the other.

The next time you have that " I don't know" on your tongue, try to think about whether you could have said it differently after all.

Do you find yourself using "I don't know " more often?

Are you familiar with this expression in someone around you?

How does it affect you?