"he expects them to be precisely met"

"'I will never understand the English,' said Lisl.  She trumped, picked up the trick, smiled, and led again.  Having said she didn't understand the English, she proceeded to explain the English to us.  That was berlinerisch too; the people of Berlin are reluctant to admit to ignorance of any kind.  'If an Englishman says there's no hurry, that means it must be done immediately.  If he says he doesn't mind, it means he minds very much.  If he leaves any decision t you by saying "If you like" or "When you like", be on your guard -- he means that he's made his requirements clear, and he expects them to be precisely met.'

'Are you going to let this slander go unchallenged, Bernard?' said Koch.  He liked a little controversy, providing he could be the referee.

I smiled.  I'd heard it all before."

-- Len Deighton, London Match