Thread:Chrisiow/@comment-33215561-20180531035730/@comment-35094757-20180601221754

Thanks! xx I know what you mean about the christmas sock. Though times were hard, my dad died when I was 18 and my mum when I was 24... and I'm now in my mid-50s... I miss them every day still.

Basically... I don't like 2-faced people. My father was always hard on me, but he was blunt, and fair. He was always honest with people. I try and be like him, though I'm not in his league. My work colleagues and friends always come to me if they want an honest opinion, and no 'flannel' (as we Brits say), and while I can be tactful and considerate... I'd rather be honest and try to avert a problem, rather than friends who are supportive to someone's face about something (be it a boyfriend, girlfriend, any sort of endeavour), but behind their backs say "It's doomed to failure, but we'll be there to pick up the pieces". I'd rather try and avoid the pieces in the first place.While my honesty has caused the odd problem, more often than not, after the dust has settled, they come to me and say "I wish I'd listened to you". I'm not saying I'm always right. I'm not... but I'm a pretty good reader of people, and on the whole it's served me well. That's why I called out the 2.... I don't like faux friendship, or fake nicety... and I don't like people who are furtive about their actions and yet keep up the nicey-nicey facades. If people don't like me, that's fine. I'm not the most likeable, I guess... but if people like me (on or offline), they like me... not a facade.

My mother was lovely, caring, and popular, but very sensitive. I've inherited the latter, I guess.

That probably makes no sense... but it does in my head. :)

My wife has put up with me for 32 years of marriage now, and some might say she deserves a medal. :-)