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Perhaps it would be better to express a genuine feeling instead. Praise implies being in a position to praise at all. Having some authority or mastery with reg

Perhaps it would be better to express a genuine feeling instead. Praise implies being in a position to praise at all. Having some authority or mastery with regard to what is praised. Often enough, I am that authority. I don’t expect praise from my clients. I’m getting payed precisely because they lack the mastery I offer. Instead I would be happy to hear about their true feelings. Stories of gratitude, or relief, or whatever else happened in their life that I might have played a role in.

megous 6y ago
Yes, I understand. But a lot of the time people express feelings indirectly, and it's pointless to try to change everyone's communication style. So people sometimes use praise if they're happy about something, or whatever, and I interpret that in a way that suits my well being. It's just part of the communication style of someone, or even part of a culture of a country. If it bothers me, and it is the relationship I care about or looks to be long term, I may ask the person to communicate differently with me. But most of the time I get praise from random people on the internet, and I just interpret it that they are grateful for my contributions, regardless of what they say. Sometimes they want something from me, and are probably not comfortable with just asking for it, so they pad the communication with some praise about the software or me. Some state that they're uncomfortable asking for help more directly, some just add praise at the beginning/end of each reply. (which gets kinda strange after 3-4 interactions :)) It's nice if someone communicates more directly, but I can try to understand the other people, too, regardless of communication style.
- CuriousSkeptic 6y ago
  "Be conservative in what you send, be liberal in what you accept" ;)
  - megous 6y ago
    Hehe, I approve of this protocol. :)

megous 6y ago

Yes, I understand. But a lot of the time people express feelings indirectly, and it's pointless to try to change everyone's communication style. So people sometimes use praise if they're happy about something, or whatever, and I interpret that in a way that suits my well being. It's just part of the communication style of someone, or even part of a culture of a country. If it bothers me, and it is the relationship I care about or looks to be long term, I may ask the person to communicate differently with me. But most of the time I get praise from random people on the internet, and I just interpret it that they are grateful for my contributions, regardless of what they say. Sometimes they want something from me, and are probably not comfortable with just asking for it, so they pad the communication with some praise about the software or me. Some state that they're uncomfortable asking for help more directly, some just add praise at the beginning/end of each reply. (which gets kinda strange after 3-4 interactions :)) It's nice if someone communicates more directly, but I can try to understand the other people, too, regardless of communication style.

CuriousSkeptic 6y ago
"Be conservative in what you send, be liberal in what you accept" ;)
- megous 6y ago
  Hehe, I approve of this protocol. :)