I've been criticized for using the words "yes, but" when Im trying to make a point. People sometimes have told me that by saying, "yes, but" that it shows that Im not listening or paying much attention to what Im being told. That is not so. I don't see what the problem with saying "yes, but" is. If somebody says something and I say "yes, but" that can mean that they're right about what they're saying from a certain point of view but that there are other points of view that must be looked at. It can mean that they're partially right, or that they're right about what they're saying when taking a certain approach to it, but when taking another approach things can be different. So I really don't see why there is anything wrong with using the words "yes, but" and why I might not be taken seriously when I use them.