Written by Backer Beauty

People say that real friends should be honest with each other. This is true. But what if it hurts your friend’s feelings? Not everything is easy to be said or should be said for that matter.  Let’s be honest. How do you tell a friend that she has body odor? Hmmm? How do you do that? I mean it’s one thing to have a bad day. But what do you do when your friend always smells? What do you do when that person also has chronic bad breath? After finding a clever way of recommending that s/he goes to the dentist, there’s really nothing much else that can be said. Or is there?  And don’t say anything about handing her a stick a gum. Giving someone who has chronic bad breath a stick of gum everyday does not resolve the issue.  

Do you think that not telling the person means you’re not a true friend?  Also, do you even think it’s your responsibility to tell your friend? Does it depend on the level of your friendship? What if s/he has a partner, does that make a difference? Does that take you off the hook? I mean, if the person’s partner is willing to tolerate the odor, then who are you to say anything about it?

This is just one example of when it’s hard to share things with your friend.  There are plenty!!!! Like, what happens when you catch your friend’s partner cheating?  Do you instinctively run and tell her? OR (big or)…do you keep it to yourself? I mean, if he’s cheating she’s bound to find out, right? What if you tell her and she doesn’t believe you? What if you tell her and she stays with him? So why tell her, right? Oh, and let’s not make it an even stickier situation, like if your friend’s man tried to come on to you. YIKES!

Some people enjoy remaining oblivious to certain matters in life.  What they don’t know won’t hurt them. So they would prefer that you refrain from shedding light to their situation and forcing them to face it.  Now the question becomes: how do you know what type of friend you’re dealing with? Have you found yourself in a similar situation? Are you close enough that you pretty much have an idea on how she’ll react?

Well, I think the best way to determine whether to keep your mouth shut or not, is to ask yourself, “Would I want someone to tell me?” It’s the whole do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

What are your thoughts?