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Criticism is great, but it should be done appropriately. Instead of telling someone how much X sucks, tell them that, in your opinion, X they might be able to

Criticism is great, but it should be done appropriately. Instead of telling someone how much X sucks, tell them that, in your opinion, X they might be able to make X much better by doing A, B, and C. This is difficult to do appropriately, but very helpful to everyone. It is also difficult and important to learn to listen to criticism. However, you can probably screw up your life much quicker by giving criticism in an undiplomatic way than by failing to take criticism.

xenoterracide 18y ago
unfortunately it's not as easy as saying it might be able to be done by by doing it way X. my sister was constantly offended by my intended to be constructive criticism of her cooking, and usually it was a simple as this would be better if you used more salt. I never said it was bad, I merely suggested how things could be improved, and she took this as an insult, and a complaint. I find that people don't like criticism period, doesn't matter what, you are criticizing or why. They see it as A, complaining, B insulting, C plain negativity.
- axod 18y ago
  It depends on the person. I'd much rather people were straight and honest with me, rather than wooly and said the dreaded "That's nice". Also it depends on experience I guess, if you're just starting to learn something out of your comfort zone, you don't really want harshly honest critique of your (probably lame) efforts. You want mainly encouragement. Once you become more confident though, and believe in your own abilities, you just want the truth.
  - xenoterracide 18y ago
    in my experience people don't want the truth, most people aren't like hackers. Hackers love honesty, no matter how brutal, most people simply aren't like that. I don't mind a brutal critique so long as it includes advice on how to be better if I'm just starting something. But don't tell me I did it wrong and leave it at that, I have to know why.

xenoterracide 18y ago

unfortunately it's not as easy as saying it might be able to be done by by doing it way X. my sister was constantly offended by my intended to be constructive criticism of her cooking, and usually it was a simple as this would be better if you used more salt. I never said it was bad, I merely suggested how things could be improved, and she took this as an insult, and a complaint. I find that people don't like criticism period, doesn't matter what, you are criticizing or why. They see it as A, complaining, B insulting, C plain negativity.

axod 18y ago
It depends on the person. I'd much rather people were straight and honest with me, rather than wooly and said the dreaded "That's nice". Also it depends on experience I guess, if you're just starting to learn something out of your comfort zone, you don't really want harshly honest critique of your (probably lame) efforts. You want mainly encouragement. Once you become more confident though, and believe in your own abilities, you just want the truth.
- xenoterracide 18y ago
  in my experience people don't want the truth, most people aren't like hackers. Hackers love honesty, no matter how brutal, most people simply aren't like that. I don't mind a brutal critique so long as it includes advice on how to be better if I'm just starting something. But don't tell me I did it wrong and leave it at that, I have to know why.