How important is tact?
By Ken
@kanuck1 (4434)
July 30, 2021 1:30pm CST
I would think that a tactful person has more friends, hurts less people and gets into less trouble.
I think that once in a while we may find saying something that may have hurt someone's feelings and we wish we had said something more encouraging.
When someone shows you their baby, its so nice to say; "what a beautiful baby, what a cute baby" or something similar.
Suppose someone has a baby and you find that the baby lacks in the beauty department. What could you say that would be honest and yet not hurt or offend?
Or, what does one say, when someone asks what do you think of their dress, or some other kind of clothing and you're not crazy about it?
Here is a good acronym for the word tact:
To
Avoid
Causing
Trouble
Can you think of another one?
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9 responses
@Nakitakona (56486)
• Philippines
31 Jul 21
I don't if you know the word "euphemism". It has a relation with tact or tactfuness. Euphemism means using a good word to replace an offensive word or statement.
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@kanuck1 (4434)
•
1 Aug 21
@Nakitakona Good ones, thanks!
An employer had to fire one of his employees. So, he called him and told him that they didn't know how they were going to get along without him but starting Monday they were going to try.
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@Nakitakona (56486)
• Philippines
1 Aug 21
@kanuck1 Here are some examples:
1. letting someone go instead of firing an employee
2. frugal instead of cheap
3. break wind instead of pass gas or fart
4. late bloomer instead of being behind grade level
5. in a family way instead of pregnant
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@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
30 Jul 21
I think all babies are beautiful. How could there be an ugly baby? Beauty, after all, is in the eyes of the beholder. So, if the baby's features are not to one's liking, keep the mouth shut.
As for clothing, I have no appreciation for fashion, especially French, Versace, Louis Vuitton, etc. That's what Ecclesiastes is warning us - vanities of vanities. A tunic is fine with me so long as it's not tattered. Meaning, I don't make comments on clothes.
Good to be tact.
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@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
1 Aug 21
@kanuck1 John Powell of 'How To Train Your Dragon'?
Yes, music is most effective means of expressing communication. So sincere. It is the language of angels, after all.
When the baby looks like Moana, hum a Voyager's song. When the baby looks like Prince William, sing a lullaby.
My mother told me I looked like a chicken when I was born. She swaddled me up tight so no one would see my 'low birth weight infant frame.' She hummed an 'oyayi' (a mother's song), so I'd survive.
Months after, I became a chubby baby.
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@kanuck1 (4434)
•
1 Aug 21
@eileenleyva I don't know anything about John Powell but found that quotation in Reader's Digest and loved it.
Yes, music is great and powerful.
Love can be healing!
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@kaylachan (71520)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Jul 21
I happen to be bruttly honest more often than I would care to admit. Sometimes it's hurtful, but the truth can hurt.
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@kaylachan (71520)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Jul 21
@kanuck1 Sometimes, yes. I would agree. I also can tell you, the truth can hurt no matter how "nice" you are about it. I find that sugar coating the truth does no one any good, either.
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@kanuck1 (4434)
•
31 Jul 21
Yes, the truth can hurt but at times we can be tactful. That is, say the truth in such a way as it is not hurtful.
"The genius of communication is the ability to be both totally honest and totally kind at the same time." (John Powell, The Secret of Staying in Love / Reader's Digest)
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Can you think of another one?
Here's one:
Think
About
Courteous
Talk@kanuck1 (4434)
•
31 Jul 21
@mythociate That's a good one! 
Here's another:
Tastefully
Avoid
Calamitous
Talk
Here's another:
Tastefully
Avoid
Calamitous
Talk1 person likes this
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
30 Jul 21
@kanuck1
Try
Avoiding
Callous
Teasing
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@DianneN (247186)
• United States
6 Aug 21
Reminds me of an ethics class I took. When asked what we’d tell our mother if she asked if we liked her new had, and it made her look awful, I said that I’d tell her the truth. I wouldn’t want her to look awful, because I loved her. Being truthful with loved ones is different than being tactful with others.
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@arunima25 (87855)
• Bangalore, India
4 Aug 21
Well, the power of words..no one can deny it. We all can't be naturally good with it, but with conscious effort we can work on it.
And, I have never come across any baby that is not beautiful. Be it from any race, culture, and country, babies are always beautiful with those innocent looks
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@arunima25 (87855)
• Bangalore, India
6 Aug 21
@kanuck1 It doesn't come easily. But yes being conscious and little thoughtful helps.
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@snowy22315 (181948)
• United States
30 Jul 21
If I had nothing nice to say about a baby, I would probably say nothing. About the dress or clothing, it would depend on how close I was to the person, if I was asked though I would probably give my honest opinion. Truth with love is a good way to live.
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@kanuck1 (4434)
•
31 Jul 21
I found this quotation vey interesting. Often there is a kind way to say the truth without hurting a person.
"The genius of communication is the ability to be both totally honest and totally kind at the same time." (John Powell, The Secret of Staying in Love / Reader's Digest)
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@Aquitaine24 (11813)
• San Jose, California
30 Jul 21
Tact is good. It is a filter for your mouth.
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@dgobucks226 (35716)
•
4 Aug 21
Tact can be extremely important. A trait George Washington and I could use more of. Politicians used to be tactful but listening to them call other pols moron, idiot, crazy and other names not so much today. It seems society maybe due to social media has made being tactless and hurtful more acceptable.
Your baby example reminded me of a Seinfeld episode where Jerry and Elaine try to be tactful but in private tell there true feelings.
But all babies are supposed to be beautiful right? It's a baby! Now someone asking me an opinion about a (bad) clothes choice.... I just might be in trouble 
Enjoy the video
Enjoy the video
GET Seinfeld ALL Seasons - https://amzn.to/2X4YWQdJerry and Elaine see ugly baby that doctor calls breathtaking.
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