There are a lot of people who take pride in being ‘honest’ and ‘saying it like it is’. There are the positive elements of this in business and in personal lives. But there is another type, the random type. It is seductive to think they are more honest, more real, more truthful than the rest of us and hold some special place in honesty heaven as a result. But if you really, truly look at what comes out of their mouth, most of the time it isn’t really about honesty and some exalted sense of forthrightness. In those random cases it is about two other things. One, it is about not knowing boundaries, not knowing when to shut up. Two it is about enjoying the power to shock and get a reaction. This is especially important to help teenagers to understand. Verbal ‘honesty’ has a purpose, it isn’t just a lack of self-control, or a weapon. It is used to help people or situations. You can be honest about your mother or father or friend having trouble with alcohol. You can be honest with your spouse about your feelings. That is legitimate. But to just spout off supposed truths because you are the ‘honest’ type is an immature and mean-spirited thing to do. Teaching our children the difference, when to use ‘honesty’ and when to shut up, is one of the best things we can do for them. “The person who always says just what he thinks at last gets just what he deserves.” – anonymous ………………………………………………………………………….. This is ‘Didchya Know?’ Monday In the last month the Napkin Dad Daily has been visited by 15 universities from around the world.
  • Boston College, Massachusetts – USA
  • Georgia State University, – USA
  • Harvard University, Massachusetts – USA
  • Haifa University – Israel
  • Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia – USA
  • Lake Tahoe Community College, California – USA
  • McMasters University, Ontario – Canada
  • Moore College, Pennsylvania – USA
  • North Dakota University – USA
  • Oklahoma State University, Tulsa – USA
  • Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut – USA
  • Universidad de Zaragoza – Spain
  • University of California, Merced – USA
  • University of California, Los Angeles – USA
  • University of Missouri, Columbia – USA
  • University of Nebraska, Kearney – USA
  • University of Tulsa, Oklahoma – USA
Where are you visiting from today?

Discover more from The Napkin

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.