Do you choose your words carefully?

@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
April 28, 2010 9:06pm CST
Words can often convey different meanings and unless we choose our words carefully, we may well upset someone without meaning to do so. Those of us who are prone to be talkative run a much greater risk of offending others for the very reason that we are less likely to give much thought to what we are saying. Are you someone who talks more than you listen, and have you ever wished that you could take your words back?
3 people like this
27 responses
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
29 Apr 10
Unfortunately I am that type of person. I talk before I think. Most of the times I end up reflecting on what I said later. I am an impulsive person and it is really hard to change my attitude. There are moments when I listen and I am good at that too. But when I speak I just speak my mind out without reflecting much and there are lots of occasions in my life where I wished I could take my words back.
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
4 May 10
HI Pose thanks for you comment. I think that the tongue is the difficult part of the body to control. Hopefully with life experience, self control we all learn how to control this piece of tongue which is only a few centimetres long but controls us most of the times.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi ronald, You are not alone in this and I'm sure there are many others including me, who often wish that they could take their words back. Today, I try to be more careful but when I was young it was different. It wasn't that I intended to hurt people's feelings but I was inclined to speak without thinking. Let's hope we can both learn to listen more and only speak when we feel that we won't offend another. Thank for for coming here and sharing. Blessings.
@amelly (1554)
• Malaysia
29 Apr 10
yes..it is really crutial too choose your words correctly.if not maybe you can make someone's mad or even you can make other bad things happen..usually a fight will start when you curse someone and it will get worse..and some words are sensitive to some people.
1 person likes this
@amelly (1554)
• Malaysia
30 Apr 10
that is sooo true...we also have to be matured by each passing years
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
1 May 10
Hi amelly, Thank you for coming here and sharing your thoughts. I agree it is crucial that we choose our words carefully for often we offend people without meaning to and we may not know why they are suddenly avoiding us. Blessings.
@gabs8513 (48687)
• United Kingdom
29 Apr 10
Hi Pose Most of the time I do but it has happened where I wish I could have taken my Words back I guess it happens to everyone at some stage in Life But I do try to be very careful how I word things, specially when replying by Email as it is so easy to misread
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
23 May 10
Hi gabs, Sorry for being so late in responding but I missed a few comments in this discussion. I always check all comments before awarding a best response. Thank you for sharing and we think very much alike on this. Blessings.
@_Honey_ (780)
• Philippines
5 May 10
This is true. When I'm so overwhelmed with anger or irritation, I tend to keep quiet and spend some time alone thinking that I might say something that would really hurt another person. When you already said something, you can never take it back.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
23 May 10
Hi Honey, Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I'm sorry for being so late with my response. We definitely think alike. Blessings.
• China
5 May 10
yes, you are right. words have many different meanings when used in different condition. i think i am very good at using word,but not in english ^^. english is not my motherlanguage, i am a chinese. so,when i used english talk with some foreign friend, yeah, that's a hard thing, we always misunderstand each other...a lot of my friend said that "we speek different english". i know that's my problem, but i think i can improve it
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
5 May 10
Hi mercury, I think that you are doing very well and I'm sure you will improve. I can't speak a second language at all. Thank you for commenting. Blessings.
• China
4 May 10
a chinese proverb says honey catches more flies than vinegar!but many times i say something whithout enough thinking.so i upset somebody in the fact of that i didn't want to do that.and now,i have change a lot through learning.i choose to listen instead of talk and the effict is good.so my friends get more and more.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi meimeibaobei, That proverb is certainly true and we all must learn that. Thank you for commenting. Blessings.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
29 Apr 10
Yes; I've learned to be discreet. It depends who I'm with of course, for example, with my parents, whom I trust 100%, I'll be more open than with most. I have strong opinions and will voice them openly, but even when talking volubly, I keep track of what I say. It's possible to be honest and outspoken and yet not give undue offence. I always feel bad when I hurt someone's feelings, especially when it was undeserved.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi CarlHalling, True, it does depend on who we are with as our parents and close friends understand us better. I think most people hurt someone's feelings at one time or another, but when we feel bad we are more inclined to be more careful the next time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Blessings.
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
29 Apr 10
I'm usually a listener ,but I hate injustice and is hard for me to control myself when I see people trying to take advantage of others. Sometimes, I might say something that could end up offending people instead of solving the problem. I learned that sometimes is important to conduct meetings by diplomatic measures.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi Mirita, I'm afraid that I'm not very diplomatic either when I see someone being hurt, but you're right we say the wrong things when we are angry. We must not be silent at such times but it's important to watch our words, otherwise as you say, it just makes the problem bigger instead of solving it. Thank you for sharing this. Blessings.
@jeanbug23 (992)
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
Words are like arrows.Once said, they could never be returned like boomerangs but can turn people ragingly humiliated if spoken tactlessly. Choose your words well. We might not know someone or somebody could be hurt which we are not even aware of. We might be telling things that some people may take it offensively.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi jeanbug, It's clear that you understand the topic. Words can be like arrows as they can hurt others when spoken without thought and we have to be very careful. Thank you for taking the time to respond. Blessings.
• India
29 Apr 10
yes i do chose my words carefully otherwise I'll end up in big trouble.there is a way of talking to everybody.we talk differently to our parents,our teachers,our friends,police and so on.one should always talk with respect to other person.we should consider the age and the profession while talking to a person.also some people may look at us with high regards one mistake from our side may hurt that person so it is very important that we use our words carefully.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi anthony, I can see that you have given some thought to this as it does depend on who we are with at the time. Most people would be very relaxed among their close friends but careful with those that they don't know as well. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
29 Apr 10
Sure I do, and I also go over and over what was said wondering if it was understood the way I meant it. What a useless, use of energy. I don't talk much but try to pain speak when I do but it's just doesn't always work out that way.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
23 May 10
Hi savypat, Sorry for being late in responding here but thank you for sharing and we agree on this. Blessings.
@libramie (562)
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
I don't like tactless people that's why I used my mind first before my mouth. Less talk listen more.However, there's still some offended due to different meaning. Sometimes I clarify it and I don't care others.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi libramie, Using your mind before your mouth is very wise and can prevent us from being upset with ourselves later as well as offending another. As you say, even than we have to be careful. Thank you for coming here and for your comments. Blessings.
@Edzornam (138)
• Ghana
29 Apr 10
Very Very well! my words are my identity. in ma home, living with the chief of my community, you have the opportunity to hear as the chief, the local judge handle cases...and in most cases, people are charged based on what they say against what they do. Words have meaning and every thing you say will be interpreted in 7 folds..so I chose very well else, I prefare to keep silent.. Thanks..
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi Edzornam, In your case it seems that it would be best to keep silent as words are very powerful, especially if taken out of context. Thank you for commenting. Blessings.
@hushi22 (4928)
29 Apr 10
right! as much as possible i am so careful of choosing the right word but there are really times when we cannot control what's running on other people's minds and they just merely misinterpret what we say. i am more of a listener than a speaker. i prefer that because i learn more when i listen.
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@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
23 May 10
Hi hushi, Sorry for being late in responding but thank you for sharing your thoughts. Being a good listener always helps. Blessings.
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
I choose my words carefully that is why I cannot tell a joke because it will end up not as a joke but something truthful.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
1 May 10
Hi aaaaaggieee, I can tell a joke and usually get a good laugh from people but you have to know your audience. Our words carry more weight than we realize and some are easily hurt. Thank you for coming here and sharing your thoughts. Blessings.
• United Kingdom
29 Apr 10
Hi pose, I definitely tend to listen more when in conversation. I feel that this is important and I like to think that when I respond I make sure that I think about what I'm going to say before I actually say it. Yes, it's important to choose words carefully as there are so many different words that you could use and some of them mean the same thing but are less subtle perhaps. If I look back at conversations that I've had in the past I can remember a time or two when I have clenched my teeth in embarrasment as I realised that I shouldn't have said this or I shouldn't have said that! The good thing is, the other party realised that I had made this mistake and they were very forgiving so I guess I was lucky and got of scott free! There are some wonderful words in the English language and it's good to try and utilise all of them if we can for whatever occasion we find ourselves in. Andrew
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi Andrew, The same has happened to me on occasion as well and we are lucky if the other person is understanding and forgiving. You are right about there being so many words in the English language, yet most of us use very few. It's always best to listen first and think before speaking. Another of course is never speak in anger. Blessings.
@piya84 (2581)
• India
29 Apr 10
To pose 123 No i know i am bit a weak there.Sometime i chose words i shouldn't say infront of elder and respectable people.I am trying to improve myself there.Also there are some people who are there to tease others and play politics,do lot of gossiping and they try to pull me in that mess .They pissed me off and i am still trying to improve myself to tackle these kind of people.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi piya, How true that is! There are always those who like to tease until they can make another angry. Gossip is terrible, try not to engage in it at all as it usually spreads false rumors and just hurts other people. Thank you for your comment. Blessings.
@jimmysun (401)
• China
29 Apr 10
yeah, somethings when i should express my view about, i will choose my words carefully, so be afraid of saying wrong words...but to my buddies, i can say everything without choose words cause when being with them can make me relax...choosing words carefully on certain things is important and necessery...
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@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi jimmysun, You have the right idea, it's good to have friends that you can relax with. It's important to know though, that there are occasions when we must learn to listen and to think before we speak. Thank you for commenting. Blessings.
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
yes, i have too., i listen first their topic and conversation before contributing mine. because there are other people it took to it very seriously without even know that you are only joking., because of this they are easily got offended. other are very sensitive., they easily get hurt for every word to said even-though for you its nothing at all.,
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi Cerwin, yes, it's often best to listen to others before making a comment but many of us don't do that and that's often the reason we hurt people. As you say many people are sensitive and usually they can't help from being that way. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
@jenny08 (136)
• Philippines
29 Apr 10
yes...i do always think twice before i speak,because i don't want to offend people and hurt others feeling as well...
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
4 May 10
Hi jenny, That's a good attitude to have toward life and you probably won't offend many people. There are of course, those who don't care who they offend as well as some who rarely take offense. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Blessings.