Bratty Girl

Tactful — Blunt — Rude

Tactful
Tactful honesty is well thought-out. It’s the kind of response we give someone when we’ve had a little time to think about exactly how we’re going to say what comes out. It’s the kind of honesty that we express with the feelings and emotions of the other person in mind. But it’s sometimes sugary and expressed from behind rose-colored glasses. If we’re not careful, it can turn out less honest than it probably should be.

Blunt
Blunt honesty isn’t as well thought-out as tactful honesty. Blunt honesty is the product of instant thinking and quickly flapping gums. It’s sharp, it’s sometimes biting, and it leaves no room for interpretation. The other person’s feelings aren’t usually taken into account. And while it’s still technically “honest”, it could usually be worded a little better. Without intention, it’s sometimes hurtful.

Apparently, this is the kind of honesty I’m guilty of on more than one occasion.

Rude
Rude honesty, like tactful honesty, is well thought-out. It’s the kind of response we give when we’ve had time to think about exactly how we’re going to say what comes out… and when we want it to biting and hurtful. This is the kind of response you give someone when you’re irritated, frustrated, or simply don’t like them. We want the rude truth to hurt.

No one operates under just one of these classifications. Even the most blunt, direct person in the world has offered a carefully thought-out dose of honesty on occasion. And the most caring, thoughtful one among us has probably said something that was intentionally rude.

For me, the challenge must be moving my position to continue closer to the tactful end of the spectrum. I'll never shy away from offering my honesty, non-sugar-coated opinion on things because I don't think sugar coatings help anyone. In fact, beating around the bush often causes more harm than good.