Have you ever wondered on how to respond to a person - the way you actually feel or the way that would be good enough not to let the person feel bad or disappointed?
That is exactly what my article is about - let's find out the pros and cons for both options.
Being Honest
Being honest:
+ Express what you actually think
+ Help the person to get to know you better in terms of your opinion and worldview
- What we think does not always appropriate in certain situations
Being Polite
Being polite:
+ Let people hear what they want to hear
+ Support the way the conversation is supposed to go
- Prevents the person to understand you
- May ruin your relationships
What lies behind?
Let us go deeper into the last point. Indeed, by expressing what the interlocutor wants to hear, you then let him speak to his own mirror reflecting what he thinks etc. By hey, that would be the thing therapists and coaches may do, because they know how to question a person and actually let him understand what is indeed right in his worldview and what are the beliefs he got from other people. If you just let people hear what they want, they may never get out of their comfort zone and actually achieve something bigger. Apart from that, they will be talking with an 'ideal' partner - a person who never disagrees. But that is impossible.
If we are talking about a conversation between friends, sincerity and honesty are essential. Of course, there is no need to shout here and there about what you think, but still it is important to make sure you have this trust to feel secure when sharing your true opinions.
So, trust is the solution. Focus on making people next to you realise that, even if they have their own views which are different from yours, it's okay! That is what makes you all different and unique! That is what brings values to your communication :)
