I have communication problems at home. Pip's favourites include "it's on the table". There's are at least half a dozen tables to choose from but further enquiry might lead to something like "it's there".

I've long given up on trying to ask for help in positioning something. As far as I can see with say a picture frame, I could move it up/down/to the left or right or perhaps rotate a bit but when every physcal move and a "you   want it this way?" gets a screaming "NO" and you've exhausted every move that you think is possible, you sort of get defeated.

Dad/ Peter can also be difficult but that's an after effect of a stroke. I've learned the best way when he's stressed and say can't get on to ebay on the laptop is just to say (and follow up with) something like "OK, I'll come and have a look in a minute or two). He's actually very good at using the thing and we have few problems but when something does go wrong for him, I genuinely can not understand his attempt at a description of the problem.