Diki-

I don't think I'm dishing anything out...

I think most of us speak to our Mothers a little differently than we do to others.

No one walked up to anyone and said hey "insert name" you suck here recently...

Look up the word abuse and tell me if you really think that's what happened here, ok?

Just speaking for me, I appreciate when I get something different than a stock compliment...I really do. I think most professionals who do this for a living do as well. My thing is...hey, I've made my living doing nothing but this for 10+ years...I've heard just about everything...Bottom line, I work like crazy...maybe...just maybe because I've accepted some criticism along the way and improved some things about my act.

I want to be good...I want to be great...I want to get better any chance I get. Someone wants to express a dislike of something...you know what? I'll hear what they have to say...and hopefully be secure enough in myself to really listen to what they're saying. Maybe its crap...maybe they have a point. I want to be receptive and open to all feedback. I've been dissapointed by feedback from other musicians...but surprised by feedback from non musicians...Maybe I'm playing a tune too fast for the proper dance tempo, maybe I'm too loud, etc...If I get too caught up in the "how" someone says something to me I may miss entirely the "what" they're trying to convey...and then I've blown an opportunity to improve because I let my ego get in the way.

I fully endorse using good manners and not making anyone feel bad for the hell of it. Respect should always be part of relationships...I think you can show someone respect by having a frank and candid talk with them about something you perceive as a problem or a weakness. I think its patronizing to avoid real substantive dialog because someone's feelings might get hurt.



[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 12-01-2006).]