Are you not good with ...

[GUEST2008]

Hi

What does the phrase "are you not good with ..." mean?

E.G. Are you not good with people? Maybe it means "Don't you like people?"
How about: "Are you not good with numbers?" "What things are you not good with?"

 

[Barb_D]

It doesn't mean you don't like them. It means you are socially awkward or you don't have an easy time being social. Some people are "aren't good with people" do fine in very small groups of close friends or family, but would never make it as a saleperson dealing with large numbers of the general public.


If you say "Aren't you...?" it suggests you think they are (whatever).

If you say "Are you not...?" it suggests you think they are not.

 

[SoothingDave]

A person can also be "not good with numbers." That means their math skills are not very good. These types of people do not go into accounting.

 

[JarekSteliga]

A person can also be "not good with numbers." That means their math skills are not very good. These types of people do not go into accounting.

Can people be good with something in the same way as they can be good at those things?

He is good at math. He is good with math.

Are both phrases (equally) acceptable?

 

[Barb_D]

I'd say "good at math" and "good with numbers."