Putting others down

By Kat


Sometimes it's unintentional. Sometimes people just don't understand. But often it happens every day, whether it be subtle or bold.
Here's the case in point:
Don't ever put anyone else down when you don't fully understand their situation.
Often these people might just be trying to help you with constructive criticism- and here's the difficult thing- because if someone is wanting to help, it is more difficult to understand how to react. You get phrases like "what's wrong with you" in some cases, and I would just like to state outright that no matter who you are, whether you're a parent, child, teacher, student or otherwise, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to put any other down without first knowing the situation.
A message to everyone out there- people are people. We make mistakes, and we make stupid decisions, but we are- in the end- people. We are people who naturally feel crushed by scathing words, and begin to feel lower and lower as the day progresses.
Picture a day where you go through your daily life where everything is going your way. But one comment that goes beyond constructive criticism, something that actually hits you hard...that is when your happiness seems to take a downhill turn.
It is my opinion that the human race is becoming more and more idiotic to one another. Instead of practising self-control and common decency, we revert to cold-blooded bluntness and comments without reason. There is a difference between helpful honesty and crushing criticism.
Say that a student fails a test.
Constructive criticism:
I know that you didn't do as well as you wanted, but I know you can do better next time if you put work into it. If you don't understand anything I would be happy to explain it to you. See, this section here...
You get the gist.
Criticism:
What are you even doing? This is simple, and you can't even get this!
I have mentioned before that we, as humans, are 7 times more likely to look out for negative things than positives. I implore you all, for the sake of human sanity, to step back and think.
What are you saying?
Why are you saying it?
Will anything good result from you saying it?
Because if all these answers result in something along the lines of:
A) I dunno.
B) I dunno.
C) Um...
Then you should probably reassess your everyday interactions. Are you really being as socially positive as we all have the capability to be?