The Benefits of Bluntness

The world has gone soft. The art of being blunt is a lost one, and fellow realists such as myself are being forced to nod and smile in situations where we could be the sound of reason.

While this may sound blunt in itself, I have found throughout my life I have been able to be the best friend and person I can be through use of my words in an honest and direct manner.

Bluntness, by definition, is the quality of being “direct, plain-spoken and lacking subtlety, often in an abrupt or tactless way.”

A common misconception is that being blunt is rude – which can very easily be true depending on tone and delivery. But more often than not, being straight-forward gets the point across in an efficient manner, ultimately saving time and effort.

I have been told from a young age I “tell it how it is,” and I have realized what a blessing my quality of truthfulness can be, despite the questionable connotation of the definition.

Bluntness, specifically for the sake of other people’s benefit, is a valuable aspect of society, and is something I believe should be respected more than it is today. 

The matter of fact is bluntness is neither good nor bad, regarding certain circumstances. Most of the time, being blunt can be a great way of settling issues or looking out for those you care about.

A good friend, for instance, would tell their friend to break up with their bum partner instead of letting their friend suffer through a pointless relationship. A good doctor, in the same way, would be straight forward and tell their patient about the grave consequences of refusing medication since it’s their job to inform and take care of those who need it. 

In these instances, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to “tell it how it is,” due to the fact the words of a blunt individual are in the best interest of the other person. Whether or not the individual on the receiving end takes offense or not, I find such rhetoric to be a risk willing to take if one truly cares about someone.

Unfortunately, some people tend to find offense in bluntness, even if executed correctly. It’s still crucial, however, to be frank with loved ones, especially in situations which may affect their safety and overall well-being. 

Sometimes being the “bad guy” in a small situation can save somebody from a lifetime of regret, which is why I think it’s important to be a realistic and honest person for those I call family and friends.

Being blunt is almost like a science. It can help preserve relationships if both emotions and situation severity are calculated, but it can also destroy connections if one is too honest and speaks with no limitations. 

Coming off as judgmental or obnoxious isn’t the goal. This can drive people away and cause them to retract from asking for advice or talking about their life in the future. 

But having compassion and being lovingly stern can go a much longer way.

On the other hand, I do believe there needs to be an effort made in society to not be as offended by blunt remarks. Being called out can be an uncomfortable feeling, but it’s crucial for personal development and awareness. Taking straight forward advice, while it may be a little hurtful, can be of benefit if society starts to listen and take it to heart.

In a world full of sugarcoaters, I find it to be of utmost importance American society learns to tell the truth, no matter how much it hurts. Like a parent correcting a child, it helps people learn discernment and better understand their reactions and emotions.

In this way, the world can be a place where people become comfortable with uncomfortable subjects and ask the important questions – ones which get issues resolved and flourish society.