Mimic the other knots on the hooks. [He replied, one brow arched towards the notion of what Liz was implying--at least from his perspective. She was saying he was well-educated, of course, but he didn't think that boat maintenance made him seem all that brilliant. Coby was also terrible when it came to sarcasm, so he was worse off.]

But, yes--those are two good principles. Still, they're tough things to exercise. Patience is the most important, when you lack the skill for something.