How often do you mince words?

pure social functionality insists on tact, which i’ll go with for an easy life, but i tend to argue with everyone without exception. it’s a lonely road and doesn’t pay well.

I do mince my words sometimes but I’m also a straight talker. I just try to find a balance between being forthright and honest and being kind, civilized and polite. It’s not easy. Sometimes I shoot from the hip, a lot of times I do, but I don’t see the need to sink my teeth in and go for the kill every time I open my mouth, nor do I necessarily see the value in it. It’s not civilized and it’s not necessarily very productive. You can be honest and upfront and all that and be very proud of your honesty and forthrightness, for some it seems to be a badge of honor, but those people should understand that it doesn’t always get you anywhere, as a matter of fact that approach can very often be incredibly unproductive because it puts people on the defensive, makes them retrench deeper into their own position and often just simply pisses them off and it doesn’t end up getting you any closer to getting your point across. And sometimes there’s just no reason to be mean and “brutally honest” if it doesn’t accomplish anything, has no value and only hurts people’s feeling, and most certainly there is no reason to do it merely because you can, merely because it is one of your available options.

Not often enough. I have a very difficult family member, and I find it extremely difficult to voice my issues.

We all wear masks. Appropriate for some situations, not so for others. I used to hide my vocabulary from my junior high friends so I wouldn’t seem like a nerd.

I’m pretty forthright but also diplomatic. I think my communication skills are pretty good these days. I do believe in complete honesty but not necessarily brutal honesty unless the person in question has been begging for it for a long time. lol

@Coloma Yes, I agree, but only if they have really, really been asking for it and have been pushing my buttons for a good, long time. Under those circumstance I don’t have any problem at all with totally going off on them and letting them have it. No problem at all. :-) But, wimpy, wuss that I am, even under those circumstances I usually end up apologizing in the end.

It depends on whether or not I am feeling either bored or evil. I usually don’t mince words, but sometimes I just feel like being a total asshole.

Rarely. I usually say what I think, just straight out. I try not to be totally rude about it, but I’m not going to say something is okay when it isn’t. I’ll not say anything at all if for some reason I feel I can’t disagree with someone (like, it would be a useless fight).

Always, without exception.

In writing I’m usually very clear, though still tactful. In person I’m occasionally evasive, though I’m trying to be less so. But, for example, if I’ve just seen a show put on by a friend—unless I know they’re looking for criticism—I always find something I like about it to tell them and leave out the nasty stuff. I try to be unclear or untruthful as infrequently as possible.

^ Mom said: if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. Hit.

only for lawyers. part of my problems.

I have actually been educated in the proper mincing of words. It was my intention to do so professionally, but so far, that hasn’t panned out.

I don’t really bother to make the effort unless I feel that it would be particularly beneficial. I do, however, try be polite in any case.

Mostly when talking to children.

I work hard on this one in my personal life—but I work for the government so it is implicit that mincing is one of the skill sets admired by the heirarchy.

It really depends who I am speaking to. I tend to be pretty careful with my children and of course my bosses.