Taking criticism

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I'm a little proud, but I try to look at it as an opportunity to improve and advice on where to focus my efforts. If I'm overconfident at work before I really know my stuff, then I find it's best to just be glad that I can save some face when it wasn't the customers who noticed. That way I can quietly address it in the background.

Is taking criticism something you can do gracefully?

I can't unless it's something that I've asked for criticism on before, or I know that it's an extremely weak point of mine and I'm working on fixing it, or I tell the person beforehand that they can tell me about it and ask them if they would tell me about it if it's something that bothers them. When those aren't the case I have to do the next best thing, and that is pretend to take criticism well. Smile, nod, make a few pleasant comments or ask a question and then walk away and think to yourself how much of a douchebag the person is who criticized you.

It's much easier since I am older. It's still difficult to not feel flustered when it's happening, unless it's a minor thing - like if my boss notices I've made a mistake either factual or spelling in an email before I send it off - I'm mostly grateful, because that means I can correct it before it goes off into the world. It always smarts a little bit, but so it should. I am mostly grateful if it is obviously constructive.

The only times I feel very uncomfortable about criticism is when I am not sure if the person directing the criticism in my direction is not chasing some personal agenda that has nothing to do with me or my words or actions. This is when I can't really tell whether I should take the criticism on board or argue against it. But thankfully, as I get older, those are very rare and also, most of the time I find I can afford to walk away and take time to think about it.

I dunno, is taking a pratfall something you can do gracefully?
In my own experience, taking criticism out in the open (in front of clients or customers) from superiors or co-workers or even from the client/customer themselves, is something you should best absorb while taking on the most neutral stance you can. Do not take it personally, as that would further exacerbate your perceived inadequacy or mistake, by making you look unprofessional. Sometimes, you just have to lie on your back and take it.

That's not what this is about...

yep. i dont care about pride anymore.

It largely depends on if it is true and how it is presented.

No. I get upset and take it personally, even though I shouldn't.

I think I have only learnt to accept criticism in the past two years. I am a much happier person now that I don't get angry every time someone tells me I am doing something wrong

Actually i can't see how anyone can't take critiscism. Those people are a bunch of p*****s. They should learn to take critiscism, or quit their lives.

I try to, yet I avoid it whichever way I can.

Most certainly, I welcome criticism, because I am always trying to improve myself in some way. I often feel very confident, seemingly overconfident at times (specifically when estatic) but I am almost always unaware of how I actually present to the outside world. So any feedback or criticism is extremely helpful.

I f*****g hate criticism, but's because most of the time I find the negative feedback I recieve to be BS. OR it is delivered by someone that displays the same behaviours and thus is a hypocrite.

i can handle criticism when it is constructive.

But if it is hypocritical or insulting then I get upset.

What I mean by insulting is when people say
"my god you suck at this, why do you even bother coming?" basically things designed to make you feel like crap.

I'm not sure that example even qualifies as criticism. I certainly wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to listen to that, since it doesn't help them see where and how they might improve.

I get completely destroyed by criticism. I smile and pretend to be okay, but inside I just want to die. I don't even understand why I'm so sensitive – I wish I could have thicker skin!

But one thing that's helped me is to realize that criticism says more about the other person, than me. A kind and compassionate person will treat me in a way that is kind and compassionate, whereas a hurtful, insensitive person will treat me in a way that is hurtful and insensitive. I'm the same, in either scenario, and so it's really more of an indicator of who they are, than who I am.