SAY what you mean

Cat's post really got me thinking.  I am surrounded by indirect communicators, which makes me good at reading between the lines, but honestly, sometimes it gets tiring.

I'm going to try a social experiment with my parents...I am not going to react if I don't understand what they are saying, or if even if I do, I am going to say "I'm trying to understand" to see if they will voluntarily say what they mean.  (Don't worry, if they get upset I will go back to reading between the lines....LOL)

Especially around weight issues-comments can be misinterpreted, or even if you know exactly what they are trying to say-I believe they should just SAY it....and if it's something they don't feel comfortable communicaating directly, maybe they should just keep their mouths shut.

*****Climbs up on Soabox*****This kind of snarky, indirect communication is either a way to say something nasty without really saying it  so you cannot rebutt or an inability to articulate what they reallyw ant to say.  If it's the former, I'm not going to make them comfortable doing it any longer.  If it's the latter, I want to help.  (My folks do a bit of both)  *****climbs down****

Let the experiment begin.

AMEN!!! A former student of mine was very blunt, and she always told me that it got her into trouble and that most people didn't like her for it. I told her,"I'd much rather deal with a blunt person because I don't have to guess at what they're thinking." I think I need a t-shirt that says, "When did my weight(loss) become your problem?"

If you want one, I can put one up for you on the web-LOL...I have a cafe press site.

LOL I'd love to see it. I wonder how many we could sell??

I'll put one up for you-you don't have to order, but anyone who wants one can (there is no minimum amount).  I think I might like one too-that pretty much says what I mean without being as awful as some of the things I've thought.

I really almost made one that said "QUI****CHING ME CHEW" but I realized that that would just make people watch me more.....

Indirect people make me NUTS!  Just spit it out or shut up!  Stepping off soapbox now! Denise

OK what did I miss? My favorite saying is Spank it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I mean it, lol! Ab

It sounds good to me, Hoodoo. AB you missed my post on Sherry's weekend thread.

Amen! I totally agree!

Ok, it doesn't really work well with older people-it comes off sounding sarcastic.  I'll have to go in search of other guinea pigs.