When people speak they believe that they are speaking from the heart & truly & that everything is clear!
This isnt allways the case as people mis-interpret what as been said.
You have to ask for clarification or a repeat of whats been said, but often you dont want to intrude or show your ignorance!
So you have to look again at whats been said from all angles, in fact you have to turn it "Upside Down"!