So which would you prefer?

[MacLowlife]

This is not unlike grammatical errors- or the proverbial spinach on your tooth. Some want to know, some don't want to hear it from you.

If you are in love with me and I can do no wrong, then I am able to offer constructive criticism, but if you are in love with me and scared of failing me, then any criticism I offer is destructive. I am fond of XMarks, but not in love with any XMarkers at all. I agree with Joshua- the greatest insult is to be ignored.

[denmcdough]

IMHO, I would not comment. Or, I would do so in a way that is not threatening or belittling! But, we do, sometimes, need to call a spade a spade. If one is told that they look good, but in reality they don't, then we just reinforced a negative habit and they'll continue with it. We only learn from our mistakes. Believe me, when I was new to the forum, I was not "up to snuff" on Highland wear. A few good gentlemn, courteously, told me how to do things the correct way. I learned!

[xman]

If an opinion is asked for, I and others often venture an honest opinion, courteously I hope.

And this is well done IMO.

I think there are discrete uses for the PM more possible than are always evident. I recently encountered a potentially touchy situation peeking through into public discourse. A couple of simple and polite messages cured any embarrassments before they could occur.

When it doubt, PM about ...

[Bugbear]

This is not unlike grammatical errors- or the proverbial spinach on your tooth. Some want to know, some don't want to hear it from you.

If you are in love with me and I can do no wrong, then I am able to offer constructive criticism, but if you are in love with me and scared of failing me, then any criticism I offer is destructive. I am fond of XMarks, but not in love with any XMarkers at all. I agree with Joshua- the greatest insult is to be ignored.

I'm not ignoring you, MacLowlife, I just don't know what to say, and if I did say something, it would be the wrong thing. It's for the best.

[English Bloke]

I think perhaps we should get thicker skins. There is never anything personal said on here. If someone offers negative criticism of an appearance, unsolicited or otherwise, you can bet your last farthing they are not alone in thinking it. It's just they are the ones who are brave enough to come out and say it.

[gary meakin]

This is not unlike grammatical errors- or the proverbial spinach on your tooth. Some want to know, some don't want to hear it from you.

If you are in love with me and I can do no wrong, then I am able to offer constructive criticism, but if you are in love with me and scared of failing me, then any criticism I offer is destructive. I am fond of XMarks, but not in love with any XMarkers at all. I agree with Joshua- the greatest insult is to be ignored.

I'm sorry, were you saying something?

[Fedgunner]

I have found that by the time I see a post that bears comment, someone has already stated what I had in mind.
As to receiving comments, you all have always been careful to insure that the comments were constructive.

[robthehiker]

As to receiving comments, you all have always been careful to insure that the comments were constructive.

Actually it's "ensure", not "insure".

[Fedgunner]

Lol

There, they're, their..... no need to hide under a chair!
Thank you for the tip.

[Donsel]

I enter this discussion against my better judgement but here goes anyway. In my view there are going to be two types of comments. 1. wearing something in the improper manner - positioning of your flashes; and 2. a fashion comment - red jacket with a green kilt. Some are going to say a comment on 1. is constructive and a comment on 2. is not. Others are going to define constructive as merely being polite. Regardless of which topic is being addressed (1 or 2) the target of the comment is going to assess the writer depending on their own personal bias. If one tells me my kilt is on backwards I will say thank you; if I am told I shouldn't wear white socks I am going to dismiss the comment and it won't matter if the author has been wearing the kilt for 40 years and lives in the midst of the Highlands. Fashion type comments will gain nothing for the majority of readers and runs the risk of chasing off those being referred to as newbies. If someone wants to be the fashion policeman and feels qualified to be such, do it privately or keep it to "in my view that colour of kilt would be nice with x colour hose".