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Something I’ve noticed over many years of observation is that people don’t like being told they’re wrong. No matter how right you are, some people will just go off their nut if you tell them they’re wrong about something. People really need to get a grip.
I realize that there are some people out there who will point out another’s faults every time they can just to bring someone down. Not all of us are like that though. Some of us are pointing out that you’re wrong because we want you to be better, and be right. We want you to be educated and respected rather than looked down on. Either way, you shouldn’t get ticked off at someone for pointing out that you were wrong about something.
When someone corrects me, I try to use it to my advantage. I often fact check, but I try to take the lesson I’m given. Sure, some people are rude and total jackwipes about it, but I still try to use it to be a better person. I don’t get all in a tizzy with people, unless they’re trying to “correct” me with the wrong thing. Most people though, cannot stand being corrected in any way.
There’s always some defensive thing. They clam up and glare at you. They start going off on how you’re not old enough to know better than them. Maybe you don’t have the qualifications to know more. Often there’s the “I’ve always done/said that!” justification. Some people will just go ape on you and start calling names. Many people just brush you off like you’re not even worth listening to.
Why can’t people accept being told they’re wrong? Why do they get so defensive? Why don’t they want to be right? And let me tell you, doing something wrong for your whole life is not justification, it doesn’t make you right, it just means you’ve been wrong a long time. You should welcome the option to learn and grow. Why don’t people do that? Why do they resist correct information?
I often post correct information when people spread misinformation on FaceBook. I get attacked for it more often than not, or people start disliking me. Should I sit idly by and let people spread lies? I think not. It’s not my fault you didn’t fact check before you posted it, so why are you mad at me for correcting it? I guess people just hate feeling stupid. Of course, if they’d embrace being corrected and learn to think before they speak or share, they’d feel dumb a lot less often.
I had a friend on FB tell me how someone asked her to proofread their work, then freaked out when she pointed out their typos and grammar mistakes. Now that’s really idiotic, the person *asked* to be corrected! But people are like that. Even when they ask for it they can’t take it.
Can you take being corrected? Do you make yourself better and smarter by accepting correction? Do you correct others?
