Last year my husband and I honeymooned in Europe. It was the trip of a lifetime and we were loving it! At one point we had to cross a border in the Swiss Alps, and were motioned to pull our car over by the border crossing guard.

The very intimidating guard, complete with serious scowl and huge gun, motioned for us to wind down the window and then enquired, “Do you have anything to declare?” to which my husband responded with a glint in his eye, “Why yes! We are having a magnificent time!”

You know those moments when you know you shouldn’t laugh, but you just can’t help yourself? This was one of those moments. I jabbed him in the ribs, barely containing my own laughter and blurted out, “No sir, nothing to declare.” We were let through, despite my husband’s grand declaration, and as soon as we were back on our way we chuckled all the way to the next town. It still makes us smile a year later.

Luckily for us the guard didn't take offence at my husband’s poorly timed line. Another country, another guard and things could have gone very differently for us.

The power of communication is not just what we say, but the context into which we say it.

The power of communication is not just what we say, but the context into which we say it. A joke is not always funny (although I still think this one was, even if you had to be there to really feel it), feedback isn’t always welcome if it’s poorly timed, and even a compliment in the wrong conditions can leave people feeling uncomfortable, or exposed.

Context is king and can make or break your communication. I’m curious who else has had a similar situation?