Speaking clearly

The importance of speaking clearly is often underestimated. After all, being understood is the most important part of speaking. You speak to get a point accross, and if you aren't clear, you're bound to confuse the person with whom you're conversing. This leads to what is called a conversation gap.
And when you dont understand what the other person is saying, out of politeness you tend to agree. This can make you look stupid or land you in a tight spot.
Example 1
In Psmith in the City, Mike is at a dinner party where he's been talked to by a Clergyman, who is not making himself very clear in speech. So Mike, out of politeness, keeps agreeing to whatever he's saying. Then, the clergyman asks Mike to pass the mustard. Mike doesnt understand what the fellow has just said, and he feels he should take a stand and so says "No.". In other words, he refuses to pass the mustard!
Example 2
In Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld is having dinner with his friend Kramer and his girlfriend. Kramer's girlfriend does not make herself clear, just like the aforementioned clergyman. Seinfeld is about to appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and in trying to be polite, he agrees to wear a "puffy shirt", the ones that pirates wore. He doesnt know what he's agreed to, and when he realizes, he gets a nice shock.
I can think of many such instances, and I myself encountered such an individual, and out of politeness, kept agreeing. I hope I havent landed myself in a "tight spot", but this is what I felt.
So people, please take my advice and speak clearly.