It is often what we do not say that is what we need to say. I wonder why that is?

Perhaps no one wants to create waves or deal with the ripples-or the tsunami - that may follow a direct statement that some listener may not want to hear. Maybe we have become too complacent with what is to attempt to achieve what could, even should, be. Or, the simplest answer could be that we don't have the energy to bother saying what we know we need to say.

Whatever the reason that led us to misplace simple language, it has to stop.

There are, of course, many reasons to speak with kindness, as long as we are compatible with honesty. And there are whole industries that exist to show people and things in a positive light.

The business of advertising presents products in a good light. If it were to describe Kentucky fried chicken as fried dead chicken, it would do no one any favors. There are some statements which are technically true but which should be avoided. 

We all want to be described in gentle terms-.youthful, not childish-mature, not old. As long as the words are used to be gentle rather than false, it is actually a good thing.

 Whatever the reason that led us
to misplace simple language,
it has to stop.

We make a wrong turn, however, when we try to say what we mean in words so disguised that they obfuscate rather than illuminate. Even being politically correct was never meant to replace simple honesty. I believe it was meant to avoid insult that has no foundation in reality.

Although I distinctly remember the college class that taught me how many common sense beliefs are actually incorrect, I still believe there is such a thing as common sense. Is it possible for us to use common sense? Is it possible for us to speak common sense? I believe it is.

Won't it be refreshing!

Jean Loxley-Barnard has been a writer all her life and studied both sociology and psychology at George Washington University where she earned a B.A. Her company, The Shopper, Inc., encompasses all the Loxley-Barnard family publications - The Shopper Magazines and Doctor to Doctor Magazine. She has been in the advertising, consulting and publishing business for 39 years.