On taking a hint

Hints are free.

You're welcome to take them and use them to do better work.

Often, the real truth is wrapped in a hint, because a direct statement is too difficult, it feels too risky. Unwrapping the hint to find the truth is a life skill.

Sometimes, you might try to take a hint when none was offered. Sometimes, we imagine that people are telling us something that they're not. If you have that experience often, it's totally okay to ask for clarification.

The rest of the time, if someone offers you a hint, take it.

(And if you're working closely with someone, it's probably worth skipping the hints and choosing to communicate with clarity instead).