When Words Can Hurt

Today, there was a joke that went wrong on a blog message. It was insensitive and inconsiderate and I was on the receiving end, without provocation. It hurts even more, when the person saying it is someone very close to you.

Closeness is good, when you have a close friend to pour your heart out, to. It becomes bad, when friends forget the invisible boundaries between what's proper and what's not - in words or action.

It is your right to be concerned, for a friend. It is good when you give him advice on it, too - especially, if solicited. But you cross that crucial line, when you turn things which are most sensitive, private and confidential to him, into bullets for a public joke. A judgemental public joke.

It stops being funny, at that point. And for that one brief moment, you stop acting like a friend. And you will cause them hurt. And you betray their trust and confidence in you.

So, be a good friend - think before you talk demeaningly of others, especially in a public forum. Some remarks are just uncalled for, really - if you call yourself a friend.