If you don't have nothing nice to say...

[Cy/MiG]

'Then don't say anything at all...'

Now most folks have heard that old phrase sometime in their lives, but have you learned to practice it? Do you advocate such thinking, why or why not? And do you think it's a practical thought process or is it only neccessary in some situations?

Personally, my philosophy is mixed.

I agree with the idea and I have tried (but repeatedly failed) to not say anything when I can't 'say something nice'. However, I think it's okay to criticize certain things in certain situations.

I'm more of the Adam Carolla mold, where I like to complain (legitimately at least) and enjoy hearing constructive complaints from others. To me, these type of 'complaints' can be constructive and lead to worthwhile discussions void of petty bickering.

Still, I can't stand the constant complainers or people I deem as 'constant objectors' in the mold of Skip Bayless, Stephen A Smith and/or just about any mainstream political personality (Rush, Olberman, Coulter, Maddow...) who appear to me to oppose just for the sake of opposition. To me, all these people do is advocate petty bickering.

So I guess I would say that what it comes down to in my book is the topic, the general tone of the topic and wheter or not it's 'worth' commenting on.

For instance:

If the topic was the Cleveland Browns, me being both a Sports and more specifically a Steelers fan, I'd probably just make a sarcastic quip and leave it at that.

If the topic were Tiger Woods, I'd probably ignore the topic because it's F'd out.

And if the topic were a post from a Bengals fan talking crap about Big Ben, I'd surely ignore it because it's clearly just a jackass trying to start a fight and bring down the team that is vastly superior to his.

So how say you? Do you try and practice 'not saying anything at all' if you can't think of something 'nice' or constructive to say and how good do you think you are at it?

Thoughts?

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

I try to remember to follow this in general. But, there are times when I don't.

If someone is pushing my buttons, I tend to slip up and fire back...sometimes rather rudely. I hate to admit that I also will sometimes join in if someone else is bashing someone whom I don't like. If I recognize that I'm doing it, I'll stop.

If someone is sharing something and others jump in and start attacking them, which happens all too often online, I tend to either steer clear or speak up and try to calm the situation...though it rarely helps since there are those who are determined to cause trouble.

 

[TangerineTicklee]

So how say you? Do you try and practice 'not saying anything at all' if you can't think of something 'nice' or constructive to say and how good do you think you are at it?

It greatly varies.

Usually, I won't say/post anything cruel, just so long as I'm not being the butt of ridicule, or as long as something that I'm a part of isn't being the butt of ridicule. Other than that, I'm not too bad at holding back. 50/50, I'd say.

 

[Saeria]

I used to follow this to it's very core and sometimes, more often than not, it bit me in the ass. Sure, there's time to use tact, but just because your opinion isn't nice, it's still your opinion. As my mother used to say: "Opinions are much like assholes, everyone has one, just some stink worse than others"

 

[john getty]

I wouldn't go out of my way to hurt someone's feelings for no reason, but some people are easily offended when you simply put your opinions forward. If we were all to stick to this nonsense about "if you can't something nice, don't say anything at all" we would never have advanced at all, achievments arise from dissatisfaction, criticism is how we learn.

 

[texastickler]

^Hey John! I agree with your last statement mostly! Citiicism is a good thing! Although there are ways to criticise withought making someone seem small! I choose my battles! I can get heated when talking politics! I try to avoid subjects that bring out my monster!😀

I am one that is very passive! I get along with anybody! I can be pushed though! If someone is on my case I have been know to say something back! It is rare though! I usually just laugh!

 

[Dave Pavet]

ADAM CAROLLA SUCKS!!!

 

[Lacey Feathers]

I guess it all depends on who I am talking to and what or who the subject matter is.

I don't set out to hurt anyone's feelings so I try very hard not to do so. So, if what I say would hurt someone, I try to just say nothing at all. If my disagreement comes from a certain subject and cannot hurt anyone, then I usually don't hold back as much as I would otherwise.

 

[Cy/MiG]

ADAM CAROLLA SUCKS!!!

Bonaduce fan???

 

[Bugman]

I really do try. Sometimes though..

 

[Helena]

This is about online things only, so......

Anyone can type whatever they want to on the forum. Sometimes...ok, most of the time...I have no way of knowing if what is typed is true or not.

I will stay out of threads now days that are just there to annoy other people. I have schoolwork and stuff that keeps me quite busy, and it's hard enough to manage my own life.