Tact and Honesty - are they compatible?
By babykay
@babykay (2131)
Ireland
June 18, 2007 7:24pm CST
How far apart are tact and honesty? The reason I ask is because I find myself in the awkward position of feeling compelled to tell someone I love a few things which they will not like. I know they are likely to get offended. In order to get my message across I will have to be honest and frank but in order to minimize offense to feelings I will have to employ as much tact as possible. It seems to me that they end up comnlicting. What do you believe and how do you employ tact and honesty at the same time?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@daveisdavid (878)
• Singapore
19 Jun 07
I believe that tact and honesty can be compatible if you handle it well and it will render great effect. Being honest alone is not good enough because you will tend to offend people so you must be tactful to send the message across correctly.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
19 Jun 07
I would say they are compatible to a degree; one can be tactful often but there are times when tact is incomparable with honesty, then "speak the truth and shame the devil."
A degree of tact in most situations is useful, oiling, as it were, the wheels of communication but we all know people that are excessively tactful and they come over as slimey.
all the best urban
@Inky261 (2520)
• Germany
19 Jun 07
No, they are not compatible. I am tactless, people say. I asked why? Because I quickly say what I think. Now, it is better to honestly saying what you think than always to bite your tongue to be tactful. I will never be a diplomat because I am tactless and I will never be a politician because I am too honest. The rest of the jobs are open to me.
