RE: Qualifications for an off shore writer?

["Downing, David" <DavidDowning -at- users -dot- com>]

Well, yes, people need to take negative criticism in stride, but I still
maintain that there are better and worse ways of giving it. There's a
difference between saying, "This section is well written, but is an
inaccurate description of the software's functionality," and saying,
"Your getting paid to wire software documentation, not fiction. This
sounds like you didn't even bother to run the software."

-----Original Message-----
From: Combs, Richard [mailto:richard -dot- combs -at- Polycom -dot- com] 
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 10:19 AM
To: Downing, David; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Qualifications for an off shore writer?

Downing, David wrote:
 
> > From: Peter Neilson <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>
> > Subject: Re: Qualifications for an off shore writer?
> >
> > <snip>
> 
> > In certain Asian cultures it is impolite to say anything negative,
> [etc]
> 
> ------------------
> 
> I've discovered that a lot of Americans feel the same way. <snip>
> 
> While we're about it, I always try to be as gentle as possible when
> giving negative criticism.

After a couple of generations of the schools telling kids they're all
above average, everyone gets a gold star, making an effort is all that
counts, etc., it's not surprising that many people are reluctant to find
fault or offer honest criticism. 

Many can't accept even the mildest criticism or contradiction. Thin skin
has become endemic, and one of the most common crimes today is the theft
of taking offense where none was given. 

As evidenced recently on this list.

Richard


Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
------





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