Watch Yo Mouth.

       I joined the school newspaper this semester.  Here goes nothing.  Here is a sneakpeak at my first real article in The Panther Pride. 

       As humans, often, we speak without thought.  Blunt statements can be taken more than one way.  Everyone is guilty of causing hard-feelings, but most of the time, it is unintentional.  Pay attention to the following expressions and think of how to word these remarks differently, or not say it at all.  Catching your words could save you from a potential fight or loss of friendship.     

     Statements, "You look really tired” or “what’s wrong with you?” are common.  They are thrown out there to a person who looks a little overwhelmed, underdressed, or actually really exhausted.  However, the criticizer might not be aware that they greatly offended the receiver of their analysis.  In some's opinion, "You look really tired" translates into "You look really terrible today and not yourself, are you sick?"So what does one respond to that statement? "Oh gee, thanks, I know I look horrid, but did you really have to admit it to my face?" To others it might be taken as "You look like you have been working really hard", and with that it could be answered, "Yes, I am, I have been working extra hard." 

       This next one is more for the female readers.  "Are you pregnant?"  Nothing is more awkward for both people when the other responds, “Umm, no?”  However, if the receiver is of age and at proper time, wanting to leave her questioner without feeling awkward, she could respond, “Why yes!  I am 29 weeks along.”  Then, the other would most likely say, “Really?  You look terrific!”  Both would walk away feeling loads better than they would in the first scenario. 

       The third statement pertains to students.  The phrase, “You have all weekend to do your homework consisting of five pages of this, and a project on that.”   Do teachers expect that every student loves going home on a weekend to six hours of homework when they just spent over thirty-five hours in the past week learning? Teenagers live for the weekend when they can either relax, or hang out with friends and not worry about school.  Like everyone else in the world, they need a break.   Typical high school students do their homework on the day before it is due. 

      In closing, no one is perfect, so instead of sitting and thinking why would anyone say that, change yourself, interpret it optimistically.  Or, if you really are bothered by it, confront the person face to face (not over the internet or through a text.)  It is more than likely that they have no idea they offended you.  Clear things up so they know better when the time comes around again.