We have all heard that honesty is a virtue. Personally, I believe that this is of the utmost importance. I find lying to be an extreme character flaw, however, I do admit that sometimes it can be helpful. Unfortunately for me, honesty is so important, that I have difficulty telling even a white lie. It’s just not something I am comfortable with, which can end up landing me in some trouble. Here are some confessions of a too honest friend, and why we are the way we are.
Disclaimer: there is a difference between being too honest and being cruel. Sometimes the line can be blurry, but they are definitely two different things. That being said, when talking with friends, they always ask you how they look. This is a testament to friendship. You do not want to hurt their feelings, but you also don’t want them going out in public looking like they are wearing yesterday’s pajamas. As much as they may think it brings you joy to tell them they should change, it is really hard for you. There is the delicate balance that hangs in the air. Be too honest with them and friendship falters, lie and say they look good, and then when pictures of the night come out, again the friendship will falter. Therefore, you must be cautious but honest and say that a different outfit would look better. There is no need to go into precise detail as to why it isn’t working (that would just be overkill).
Approving of your friends significant others is also a critical role you play. This is because, as the most honest, they look to you to blatantly, but not harshly, tell them how you feel about their new romance. When broaching this topic, it is important to keep in mind that if they have just started the relationship they are still in the honeymoon phase. If for some reason the person they are with is not up to snuff be gentle but still honest, provide examples don’t just state your hunches. There is also the pivotal role of not letting friends go home with guys who in the moment appeal to them. As rude as it may seem, telling them that going home with that guy really isn’t in their best interest might upset them in the moment, but help them out in the long run.
Extremely honest people have been known to get a rap of being too assertive or even kind of bitchy. Yes, we are aware that sometimes we can be blunt or even aggressive with our opinions. It is not because we believe we are always right or want everyone to listen to us at all times, it is simply because we believe our friends should make the most informed decisions as possible.
An obstacle that faces brutally honest people is making new friends. The friends we already have are used to our eccentric and straightforward mannerisms while new friends may not be. It can be difficult for people to see beyond some of our off-putting sentiments, but below the tough exterior is an extremely loyal and honest friend who will always be by your side. It may be challenging to get acclimated to our ways, but once you do we promise to always be honest, caring, and loyal.
Being too honest has its ups and downs. When you speak your mind, people never second-guess that you are telling the truth. Yet, we can be scary to some with more gentle characteristics. The bottom line is that we value our friendships enough to never lie to our friends. We promise to always be genuine with you and ask in return that you be patient with us if we come across a tad abrasive.
