(Yes yes, March completely slipped by without one. But there is a shiny new lesson up at Gothic Charm School, right this very instant! Aren't you excited? (Just smile and nod at this question, Snarklings.)
But yes. New lesson, just posted. Go! Read!
But yes. New lesson, just posted. Go! Read!
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i'd add, supplementally, that one way to present such a difficult subject, should one feel the need, is to introduce criticism as though it were a relatively minor point in the midst of compliments. of course, the compliments should not be too effusive, as many people are distrustful of overdone flattery (and rightly so), and they should definitely be sincere compliments, as well as sincere criticism. one of the most compelling arguments i've seen against politesse (though i don't agree with the conclusion that some draw from this argument*) is that it is, or rather can be, insincere.
* my own conclusion from this is that sincerity is quite as important as the method of presentation, though some seem to take it as a fatal blow to the very concept of manners.
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I thought about putting in a section about leavening criticism with compliments, but scrapped every attempt I wrote for it.
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hmm... that starts me to thinking on the subject of internet misunderstandings and previous discussions i've participated in regarding the current state of the art of written communication. the internet, to date, has provided an unusual blurring of the line between public and private communications. perhaps this has something to do with the generation and progression of flame wars and such?
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Have passed on to