Playing dumb saves peoples pride

"does Your Dog Bite?"
"does Your Dog Bite?"
“Does your dog bite?”

When I was younger, I played dumb to save peoples pride.

One example. My family was friends with other families we meet at social activities. When I was in 8th grade the PE assistant was the child of the family my friends were friends with. At that age people don’t want to be seen talking to or knowing younger people.

So when I recognized him I just waved hi and said hello quietly. Then for the rest of the semester I acted as though I didn’t know him.

Why did I do this? If I had treated him as a friend like he was in real life, then that would have caused him embarrassment in front of his friend and questions from the other classmates how I knew him. It would not have made me feel uncomfortable, but I knew it would make him feel uncomfortable. I don’t want to make peoples lives more difficult.

This wasn’t the only time that I acted dumb to save peoples pride. Many times growing up and as an adult today I know things that would devastate a person. It doesn’t help to be honest with someone when they aren’t ready to receive it or want the information. Being kind isn’t just about being honest, it is being honest when it can be helpful and not hurtful to a person.

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