Criticism always hurts. There is no such thing called positive or negative criticism. When it comes it comes with an arrow to pierce right through. No matter how calm or composed you are its gona prick you at some moment. Who likes brick bats anyway? Everyone likes to be praised and appreciated and talked about in good words.
Now take me for example..
I've been this guy who's never had a fight with anyone. Not even with my closest buddies. Its just in my nature to keep people happy. Take them the way they are. I dont like to crib about people everyone has their own nature. I am being called diplomatic or manipulative for that but it doesnt change me. I am a people's person and I like it. I like it when i have a thousand people to greet and shake hands with when I enter my college.
But then all of a sudden I had this really interesting conversation which ended up as an argument with one of my oldest and closest friends and got to know so many flaws about me which i thought i never had.
This is the thing about friends.. "A good friend will tell you whats the matter with you in a minute. He may not seem to be such a good friend after telling."
another thing about friends " Never explain - your friends dont need it and your enemies wont believe you anyway"
Thats the problem with criticism. Till the time he/she tells you the sugar coated words he's ur best friend but one bad thing about you and he's no more your best friend.
So criticism is often very difficult to take in your stride.
Specially for someone who's never had it before and specially from someone who's never ever told anything against you.
It hurts. It makes you think. It disturbs you like crazy. But again my favorite quote comes handy in stress situations "Whatever happens, happens for a reason"
So may be this might strengthen the bond or it might make me look at myself and think where am i going wrong but it was a good change. You need to hear something like that to do some introspection but not very often.
So criticize all you want but make sure you dont hurt the person. Tell him whats wrong but give him a reason why is it wrong. Tell him the bad points but also tell him why he is good enough to have a discussion. After all you are harsh and you are sensitive both with people you care the most. So its never too late to criticize and its never too late to change for GOOD.
