Silence is Not Always Golden

It strikes me that when someone shocks or disturbs you with something they say (at least on a philosophical level) it's not necessarily a good thing to bite your lip and walk away. Sometimes it IS just a misunderstanding rather than a difference of doctrine or opinion. People express themselves poorly all the time and I've often wished I had the chance to explain something better or explain something further to someone. Don't be afraid to ask questions and listen long enough to ascertain what they are trying to say. Be specific. "Are you trying to say....?" can be a very valuable question.