Very interesting = I don't agree.

「ブログが更新されていないけど生きてるか？」と親から電話がかかってきました。
えーーー、生きてます。

最近ブログを書くという脳が死んでるので、The Economistからお役立ち記事を。
"How was your day?"と聞くと、いつも"Not too bad..."と返ってくるオーストラリア人の夫（＊1）と結婚して3年以上、そんな私でも「イギリス人って本当に何考えてるのか本心がよくわからん言い方するなー」と思うことが頻繁。
＊1・・・"Not too bad..."はアメリカ人的には"Great!!!"です。　感覚的には「GoodでもBadでもない中間よりちょっとGood寄り」でしょうか。

そんなイギリス人の婉曲話法が集められていたので、これからはこのリストを常備してお出かけしよう。
The Economist : Euphemistically speaking - This may interest you*

なお下記のうち"What is understood"は、（直接的な表現をするオランダ人やデンマーク人は）こういう意味だと受け取ってしまう、ということ。　Enjoy!

What the British say: "I hear what you say"
What the British mean: "I disagree and do not want to discuss it any further"
What is understood:"He accepts my point of view"


What the British say: "This is in no sense a rebuke"
What the British mean: "I am furious with you and letting you know it"
What is understood: "I am not cross with you"

What the British say: "With the greatest respect"
What the British mean: "I think you are wrong (or a fool)"
What is understood: "He is listening to me"

What the British say: "Correct me if I'm wrong"
What the British mean: "I know I'm right--please don't contradict me"
What is understood: "Tell me what you think"

What the British say: "That's not bad"
What the British mean: "That's good or very good"
What is understood: "That's poor or mediocre"

What the British say: "QUITE good" (with the stress on the "quite")
What the British mean: "A bit disappointing"
What is understood: "Quite good"

What the British say: "quite GOOD" (with the stress on the "good ")
What the British mean: "excellent"
What is understood: "Quite good"

What the British say: "Perhaps you would like to think about...."/"I would suggest..." /"It would be nice if..."
What the British mean: "This is an order. Do it or be prepared to justify yourself..."
What is understood: "Think about the idea, but do what you like"

What the British say: "Do as much as you think is justifed"
What the British mean: "Do it all"
What is understood: "Do what you can"

What the British say: "Oh, by the way/Incidentally ..."
What the British mean: "The primary purpose of our discussion is..."
What is understood: "This is not very important ..."

What the British say: "I was a bit disappointed that/It is a pity you..."
What the British mean: "I am most upset and cross"
What is understood: "It doesn't really matter"

What the British say: "Very interesting"
What the British mean: "I don't agree/I don't believe you"
What is understood: "They are impressed"

What the British say: "Could we consider some other options"
What the British mean: "I don't like your idea"
What is understood: "They have not yet decided"

What the British say: "I'll bear it in mind "
What the British mean: "I will do nothing about it"
What is understood: "They will probably do it"

What the British say: "Please think about that some more"
What the British mean: "It's a bad idea: don't do it"
What is understood: "It's a good idea, keep developing it"

What the British say: "I'm sure it's my fault"
What the British mean: "I know it is your fault, please apologise"
What is understood: "It was somebody else's fault"

What the British say: "That is an original point of view"
What the British mean: "You must be mad, or very silly"
What is understood: "They like my ideas!"

What the British say: "I'm sure you'll get there eventually"
What the British mean: "You don't stand a chance in hell"
What is understood: "Keep on trying; they agree I'm on the right track"

"Very interesting."は彼らよく使いますねー、すんごい興味なさそうな顔して（笑）。

昔、日本人がよく陥る間違い『It is difficult...』の多用についても書きましたので、そちらも参考。