The reflection you present to us in this post, @chbartist, is very relevant. Often in our work or in the neighborhood, for example, we find people with that tendency of thought. I would say that it is an attitude of prejudice, because beforehand they are already predisposed to hear or see in the other (in their question, comment, answer, etc.) a kind of act of attack, a strategy of contempt, a tool of disqualification. They are people who, we say, are always on the defensive.
I share with you that ambiguity is a quality, not a defect. And our attitude should be attention, listening, openness, flexibility. Thank you for allowing me to think about these things from your post. Greetings.