At the risk of slipping into the curmudgeon category, I need to get this off my chest. I really started noticing a few months ago how many people tell me something, “Honestly.” They preface a statement with “Honestly…”
As in “Honestly, here’s what you should do…”
Or “Honestly, this is the situation…”
Or “Well, honestly, I think this is…”
What raises my hackles is that the implication is there’s a lack of honesty the rest of the time. I know that’s not what they mean. And in most situations, I know they’re not liars.
But, if you preface some comments with “honestly” and some without it, you’re pretty much signaling that you don’t tell the truth all of the time.
Words count. So, candidly, please be careful about saying “honestly.”
I love to hear what you think…honestly or candidly or however.
Steve Thomas
Partner, Oneicity
(photo credit: discoodoni)
