what is effective communication?

[kingajit]

Jack and Max are walking from religious service. Jack wonders whether it
would be all right to smoke while praying.

Max replies, "Why don't you ask the Priest?" So Jack goes up to the Priest
and asks, "Priest, may I smoke while I pray?" But the Priest says, "No, my
son, you may not. That's utter disrespect to our religion."

Jack goes back to his friend and tells him what the good Priest told him.
Max says, "I'm not surprised.

You asked the wrong question. Let me try." And so Max goes up to the Priest
and asks, "Priest, may I pray while I smoke?" To which the Priest eagerly
replies, "By all means, my son. By all means."

Funda (a ka Moral): The reply you get depends on the question you ask.

For Example: Can I work on this project while I'm on vacation?