Criticism

No one likes to be criticized.

Behind every “Constructive criticism is always welcome” there is a silent growl which people fail to hear. It says “Praise is always welcome you idiot…criticism never is.”

There are 3 types of stances that can be assumed by a person against criticism.

I call them the 3 A’s of response to criticism.

Absorb-Attack-Avoid

1. Absorb: In this case the recipient absorbs the criticism and it erodes his/her confidence. The recipient has a very flexible mindset and hence she/he tries to accept all suggestions including the ones that go against her/him.

Social response- The general idea is that this kind of behaviour promotes peace and   harmony. Every one’s opinion is incorporated and hence every one is supposed to be happy. The truth is this kind of attitude promotes self doubt among every one and the whole society becomes weak and crippled.

2. Attack: In this case the recipient counter attacks the criticizer with a venomous response and dissects him/her with such violence that the person is forced to take a step back. 

Social response- The criticizer would issue an apology or at least would refrain from an encore. To slice the brunt of our attack we can always coat our vicious words in a liberal dose of sarcasm.

3. Avoid: In this case the criticism hits our psyche and glides off just as a water drop slips off an oily leaf. This method is adopted by the most secure people on earth. But let’s be truthful here. Deep down we all want validation and approval of other people to varying degrees. That’s why great people like Sheldon Cooper exist only in fiction. But we can do one thing…we can at least pull off an act of being indifferent to criticism…that will also provide the same effect. 

Social response: The criticizer would be left feeling inferior to you once you choose to ignore her/him. Now that their criticism spate has boomeranged the criticizer will leave you alone and choose a new target.

Clarification: This really wasn't an attempt to stop people from giving me negative feedback about my blog. :-)