What's With People Who Can't Handle Constructive Criticism?

This blog was originally published on Xanga January 21, 2013.

 

There are different types of criticisms, that exists. Constructive criticism is only 1 example. As I already mentioned in my latest Pulse, I am bringing up the topic of people, who can't handle constructive criticism.

Constructive criticism is not about trying to insult something or someone. It is about giving both positive and negative feedback.. Negative feedback regarding constructive criticism is about spending time correcting errors.

In a way, this can somewhat apply to the increasing amount of Facebook narcissism. Most narcissists, who currently use that site are entitled, spoiled brats. They expect everybody to constantly agree with them like good Yes Men and Women (also known as SYCOPHANTS), by constantly clicking the "Like" button and praising them ad nauseam. Being a sycophant can actually do more damage than good sometimes. 

Whenever someone interacts with somebody, who disagrees and dislikes with what he/she said or did, he/she starts throwing a tantrums like a toddler in his/her terrible 2's.

Whenever I took an Art and Creative Writing Classes in both high school and college, "workshopping" was ALWAYS a requirement; Each student had to critique by giving positive and negative feedback about another classmate's work.

If we disliked someone's poem or story, we had to explain our reason(s) for WHY we disliked it without insulting that classmate and his/her work; We had to detail what needed to be inserted, revised, removed, or expanded without insulting the person and his/her work. The same format most definitely applied to Art projects being critiqued. 

Sure, there were some very rude people (especially rude classmates), but we encounter rude people everyday in society. That's just a part of life.

People, who can't handle constructive criticism typically become extremely defensive and start attacking other people like Cujo. You know the rabid dog from Stephen King's Horror novel and film?

Whenever we encounter those types of people, they usually have anger management issues, a major inferiority complex, and they are viewed as being unapproachable.

Based on my personal experiences with some people, they are usually defensive because they're used to most people destroying their confidence. Therefore, they go into Cujo Mode, as a defense mechanism. Otherwise, there are those entitled divos and divas.

Those of that ilk with hypersensitivity must realize, that in the real world, they are not always going to get their way. Therefore, they should not expect for everyone to tiptoe around them.

How will they learn anything, if they expect everyone to constantly act like tiptoeing sycophants by praising them every nano second?

If people can't handle constructive criticism, they'll never change for the better. Not only that, but these types of people will also repel other people from them. They are normally viewed as being unapproachable.

In addition, some of the biggest nitpickers cannot handle constructive criticism. Ever hear the saying, "You can dish it out but can't take it"? Nitpickers are normally in that category.

I socially distance myself from hypersensitive people and nitpickers. I don't have the time and patience to praise Cujo by giving him a doggie treat, when he has done something wrong. I'm not an enabler. 

I will provide my personal support and opinion, however I refuse to be someone's designated enabler. This especially applies to providing constructive criticism.

Whenever I encounter butt hurt people desperately in need of coddling, I wash my hands of them. Sounds harsh but life is harsh. Everything in life is never going to be and never has been a "Kumbaya" sing-along.

Sir Thomas Moore's Utopian Communist Philosophy, "Land of Utopia" always was and still is a total crock of bullshit. That's all the more reason why I named my chapbook, "It's Not All Bunnies And Sunshine."

In the meantime, what are your thoughts?