We live in country filled with euphemisms.
Do you know what euphemisms are? They’re simply phrases that are “sugarcoated.” Phrases like “cemetary operative” instead of “gravedigger” or “intestinal release of pressure” for “fart.”
These circumloqutions seem to be mild and harmless, but they actually create more harm than they do good. For one, it gives people a false sense of hope that the world isn’t as bad as it really is. If a child grows up in a euphemistic environment, hearing that his pet hamster “went on a very long vacation,” then he will expect to go through the rest of life, having his hand held through until death. This is not the case. The workplace will cut you down. They deliver it straight and blunt: if you’re doing something wrong or bad, they’ll tell you. When this happens, don’t expect to have a shoulder to cry on.
There are other types of euphemisms. If you tell a person that he’s doing “fine,” then you’re implicitly stating that he’s not doing anything wrong and should keep up the work. You’re pretty much giving them the thumbs-up and telling them that they’re doing fine–which leaves no room for improvement. I think the reason we (the United States) are beginning to fall behind Europe in terms of development is that we don’t give the simple truth–we halt our fellow Americans’ development when we take their feelings into consideration.
I don’t know about you, but I’d be much more hurt if someone lied to me than if somebody told me very bluntly that I had some sort of problem. If someone tells you bluntly about a problem they have with you, stop crying and fix it as quickly as you can. It’ll save you pain in the future. However, if not (whic h is more likely), then… well, you shouldn’t be overly-critical about everything. Instead, when or if a person asks you, “how do I look in this?” Be blunt. Be straighforward. If they get offended, tell them that you only wish for the best.
May the force be with you.
