"you may not like what I am going to say, but it's the TRUTH!!!"

[Rageaholic]

In my experience though, people who usually say that are more likely to be those type of people that piss me off. Yeah, you got those immature trolls who go "LOL UR A FAG!!!1" and they annoy me, but those people who say stuff like "I'm not gonna sugar coat it" are usually just insulting assholes. The message I get from those people are "people are only saying good things because that's what you want to hear, but the truth is, you're no good."

This reminds me of my short time in online Christian Fundamentalism (I'll eventually have to post my religious views on here). There was this one blog I remember involving this guy who was a cop who would always give that "life sucks" advice. Some of the things he said were just plain heartless and cruel. To someone who was angry because he thought his sister was burning in hell, he said "Well, it's her fault because she didn't accept Jesus!" To another guy who was so depressed, he just wanted to "disappear", he pulled the guilt card, saying that Jesus went through worse, people will go to hell if not for him, and he was being selfish. Yes, exactly the thing to say to someone who's depressed and suicidal, jackass.

[blas87]

I do have to agree.

You shouldn't have to advertise how honest or blunt or "straight up" you are.

But then again, there are people who pride themselves on it, and it's so sick to watch them be such jerks and give such stupid advice.

[jackfaire]

That seems backwards: I hate offending anyone, and feel uncomfortable saying things that, nonetheless, sometimes do need to be said. So if I'm asked flat-out for an honest opinion, or I'm not but it's actually needed, I apologize in advance. Now, if I said such things at every possible opportunity that'd be different.

The point was that people being straight up and honest say the honest opinion they don't preface it by saying, "Hey no offense just being a straight shooter with you, you suck!"

[XCashier]

-So that preacher who tells a grieving father that his son is burning in hell is only telling "the truth"?

To someone who was angry because he thought his sister was burning in hell, he said "Well, it's her fault because she didn't accept Jesus!"

While I am a Christian, I also believe that only God knows what is in a person's mind, and where they stand with Him. We mere humans do not know what any person's ultimate fate is, and really have no cause to say otherwise.

Back on topic, most people really need to learn the difference between truth and opinion, not to mention the fine art of tact. There are some things that do need to be said, yes, but they can be said gently and politely so that it doesn't hurt the recipient. For example, "You look so nice when you're cleaned up and dressed in that suit," is much easier to take than, "Damn, you're an ugly slob!"

[Rageaholic]

I do have to agree.

You shouldn't have to advertise how honest or blunt or "straight up" you are.

But then again, there are people who pride themselves on it, and it's so sick to watch them be such jerks and give such stupid advice.

For them it's like a disclaiming saying "I'm an asshole!". They wouldn't be giving that disclaimer if they didn't think their advice would be hurtful.

[Fryk]

I don't know, I find those sorts of disclaimers comforting and refreshing. It saves me the trouble of wondering whether or not to give a flying rat's ass about their opinion,

[MergedLoki]

In my experience, people who proudly proclaim themselves to be "blunt" and "straightforward" are really "assholes" who think they can get away with being rude and cruel in the name of "honesty."

To be fair i'm pretty blunt and tell it like it is. and i don't make any attempt to be rude or anything (if anything everyone says i'm a very polite person etc.).

But i'm not gonna lie to somebody to spare they're feelings or something like that.

[Boozy]

But i'm not gonna lie to somebody to spare they're feelings or something like that.

There is a third option to hurting someone's feelings and lying: Not saying anything at all.

If you notice that your co-worker has a new haircut that makes her look like a mental patient, the best thing to do is keep your mouth shut. There's no need to insult her.

If she asks you directly if you like her new haircut, then go ahead and tell the truth. But a "blunt" person would say "It makes you look like a mental patient." A nice person says, "I don't think that look suits you." There are ways to be honest without being the kind of person the OP is describing.

[Giggle Goose]

In my experience, people who proudly proclaim themselves to be "blunt" and "straightforward" are really "assholes" who think they can get away with being rude and cruel in the name of "honesty."

I save special amounts of hatred for the self important assholes and bitches who think that their "honest" and "straight-forward" advice or ideas on life are the best.

Ever notice how the ones who like to say rude things to people under the guise of "honesty" or "keepin' it real" seem to be the ones who can't take it themselves? Say something back to them and watch their heads practically explode. They pride themselves on dishing out "honesty", but can't take it in return.

Agreed to all. These are also the same people that say "No offense" before saying something completely rude and judgmental. As if saying a couple words beforehand makes it ok

[HYHYBT]

Of course, if you directly ask what someone is thinking, all bets are off. For example, Mom got my cousin a new pocketbook, and before wrapping it...

{approximately}
mom: "Do you think she'll like it?"
me: very quiet
mom: "OK, I know that look. What are you thinking?"
me: "Well... I'm not sure how to put it. I didn't know 80's prostitutes were back in style."

(apparently they are, or else I'm all wrong in associating zebra patterns with them; my other cousin's girlfriend was carrying a similar one at Christmas.)

[XiaoTortuga]

I often say I am blunt and straight forward. (NEVER said I'm a straight shooter)

I now have to go ponder if I'm an asshole.

[Amanita]

You can be straightforward and blunt without being an asshole about it. So I wouldn't neccessarily worry about it.

[Rageaholic]

My rant was mostly directed at those who feel the need to shut out or dimish the positive messages of others as fairy tales just to inflict their negative, depressing world view onto others. The people who are in effect saying "Your friends and family may say you're doing a good job, but the truth is, you're not". It also applies to religious people when they are questioned with things that CANNOT be proven. Just because you use the word "TRUTH" a lot, doesn't make you any more credible than everyone else.