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A friend invites you to his or her house, which was just redecorated. He/she asks you for your opinion. You don't like it. What do you say?
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November 10, 2009 04:26 AM
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Well, it depends on the friendship. Some friends really want your opinion and will accept "I don't like it" and appreciate your honesty. Others will be hurt and dwell on it and wonder why they're alive. I know that's drastic, but to a lot of people, what someone else thinks means a lot.
If your friend is one that would be hurt by your honesty, pick something out that you do like to focus on. For instance, "I really like that shade of blue" or "That's really an interesting arrangement." You don't have to go all out and lie with "I adore what you've done, fantastic, blah blah blah". There has to be some part of it that is nice. Especially focus on what is better than before since it's a remodeling project. That's the point in remodeling, so hopefully you can find something that looks better than it did previously.
If your friend is one that would be hurt by your honesty, pick something out that you do like to focus on. For instance, "I really like that shade of blue" or "That's really an interesting arrangement." You don't have to go all out and lie with "I adore what you've done, fantastic, blah blah blah". There has to be some part of it that is nice. Especially focus on what is better than before since it's a remodeling project. That's the point in remodeling, so hopefully you can find something that looks better than it did previously.
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November 09, 2009 10:34 PM
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well to be honest, its not my house so i don't have to like it...
If I really have to be honest I may say "its not what I'd have done... but you've done a good job with the" whatever... But to be honest I'd just let them be happy for the changes they've made. After all I can go home at the end of the evening and not have to look at the wall paper again.
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If I really have to be honest I may say "its not what I'd have done... but you've done a good job with the" whatever... But to be honest I'd just let them be happy for the changes they've made. After all I can go home at the end of the evening and not have to look at the wall paper again.
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November 10, 2009 12:08 AM
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"I don't like it."
I have set the expectation with my friends that I am a tough love kind of guy, but I think they respect that because I will tell it like it is.
I will say I suspect there are times people have avoided asking me questions because they want the polite smile and nod.
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I have set the expectation with my friends that I am a tough love kind of guy, but I think they respect that because I will tell it like it is.
I will say I suspect there are times people have avoided asking me questions because they want the polite smile and nod.
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November 10, 2009 09:56 AM
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I would tell my friend the truth in the nicest way possible. because true friends should be able to tell each other the truth. I would also give suggestions of how to improve the place.
Friend is defined as a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.
It's always better to hear the truth from a friend. You don't want the girl/guy you have been dating to see your house and be shocked. A friend who lies is not a true friend. A good friendship will withstand a lot.
Hope that helps.
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Friend is defined as a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.
It's always better to hear the truth from a friend. You don't want the girl/guy you have been dating to see your house and be shocked. A friend who lies is not a true friend. A good friendship will withstand a lot.
Hope that helps.
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November 10, 2009 11:15 AM
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I'd tell them the decorating suited the house. You could even say you would do it differently, but what they've done matches perfectly. You could even say its turned a house into a home :)
OK, it's a little white lie in a way but I'm sure they hope the decorating suits the style of house
and the response has nothing to do your conflicting tastes, its about the house
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OK, it's a little white lie in a way but I'm sure they hope the decorating suits the style of house
and the response has nothing to do your conflicting tastes, its about the house
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November 10, 2009 07:12 PM
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Normally, I am honest to the point of being unnecessarily blunt and my friends know better than to ask me if they don't really want my opinion (Sagattarius, sorry). And I have to admit that my bluntness is based on my admittedly egotistical belief that my opinion will help and educate the recipient (yeah, I know it's obnoxious, but I'm being sincere in wanting to do my best to help.)
In this case, I think I would make an exception. If someone has remodeled a house or done substantial redecorating, they've spent a whole lot of money and it's already a done deal. My input is too late to change it in this case. Being negative will only make them feel bad and hurt our relationship. I would find some redeeming feature to focus on, or simply build my remarks around the great pleasure they must be experiencing with a fresh decor, modern appliances, whatever was appropriate. If I saw any viable way to give useful input on a part of the job that could easily be changed, or wasn't fully completed, i would make suggestions on that.
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In this case, I think I would make an exception. If someone has remodeled a house or done substantial redecorating, they've spent a whole lot of money and it's already a done deal. My input is too late to change it in this case. Being negative will only make them feel bad and hurt our relationship. I would find some redeeming feature to focus on, or simply build my remarks around the great pleasure they must be experiencing with a fresh decor, modern appliances, whatever was appropriate. If I saw any viable way to give useful input on a part of the job that could easily be changed, or wasn't fully completed, i would make suggestions on that.
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November 12, 2009 06:44 PM
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What if they asked you this question, because they paid an interior decorator to do the job, and they personally hate it, and just want confirmation?
If you answer with a lie, then they didn't get their confirmation, and now are wondering if it's just them. lol
If you answer with a truth, if they are a true friend, they will be over joyed you were honest. However, being honest does not have be given like a SHOT in the arm. There are always better ways than just a blunt "UGH I HATE IT!". Saying, something like, "I like the color blue in my living room because it makes me feel calmer, and so, I wouldn't necessarily like your red hot walls for my own home. Do you really like how it like this?" And then give them time to speak. They might vent a little if they hated it, or if they didn't expect your answer to be negative. But give them enough time to get their feelings out, and it will smooth over everything in the end. :D
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If you answer with a lie, then they didn't get their confirmation, and now are wondering if it's just them. lol
If you answer with a truth, if they are a true friend, they will be over joyed you were honest. However, being honest does not have be given like a SHOT in the arm. There are always better ways than just a blunt "UGH I HATE IT!". Saying, something like, "I like the color blue in my living room because it makes me feel calmer, and so, I wouldn't necessarily like your red hot walls for my own home. Do you really like how it like this?" And then give them time to speak. They might vent a little if they hated it, or if they didn't expect your answer to be negative. But give them enough time to get their feelings out, and it will smooth over everything in the end. :D
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