Criticism

I'm not a particularly nice or giving person. I've never claimed to be. In point of fact, I have gone out of my way in the past to tell people I wasn't, only to have them assert that I am. It always puzzles me when suddenly they realize I was telling the truth, and they're surprised by it. I do lie about business matters from time to time, but rarely about personal issues. This is likely because it takes me so long to warm up to a person in order to have any real conversation, that I feel it's beneath me to lie once I've reached that stage.

So, on those rare occasions when I try to do the helpful thing, and then it gets walked all over, it's basically where I shut down. When the words I have chosen with care, become twisted and seen the wrong way due to the other person's own biases, and it keeps happening over and over again with that same person, I'm done.

Yes, I am judgmental. And yes, I am critical. No less so toward myself, however, so I don't understand why others feel they should avoid the same fate. When this being done occurs, I may still interact with the person, but I don't invest much time in trying to see them. I've already wasted enough I think, and my days are short enough as it is.