"It's a British thing"

I was in a meeting a week or so ago when we were being told how to complain (yes I know) and offer constructive criticism to our peers and to our tutors, institution, headmasters etc etc. The girl advising us said
"It's best to say something nice first and then deliver the complaint because people can get upset if you just say something bad."
It is safe to say that not many people agreed with this and the girl then lost respect from most of the room.
When somebody asked "why can't you just deliver the complaint, if there is something wrong, somebody should fix it"
Her answer was not only ill informed but a wee bit racist
"I think it's a British thing"

Well there we go.

Now, I'm a firm believer in "it's nice to be nice" but at the same time... you can't just dance around the problem so people don't get upset, being sad and upset sometimes is part of being alive, we have to experience the bad to appreciate the good whole heartedly. This is something which being in art school has really taught me, being constantly reviewed with honestly from my peers has toughened me up and I'm glad that I've been upset and got some bad reviews because otherwise I'd think I was sailing through very easily and wouldn't push myself any further. In fact, I'd maybe say that my peers have been too soft on me, I've made some pretty shambolic pieces of art in my time, so if your reading this, don't be put off if I cry, I'm grateful inside...really... eventually.

So essentially... that girl was wrong. You can't just hug somebody before you tell them that you hate them, it's just stupid, not "British".

                                   
                               "You look very pretty today Daisy... but I'm breaking up with you"