A blunt person will tell you straight. What you see is what you get. They get a bad reputation, but surely being honest is a good thing?
Being blunt can be both a blessing and a curse. A blunt person isn’t going to sugar-coat anything, but how does that fly with those around them?
It really depends on whether or not you appreciate being told the literal truth. You see, if you’re blunt, you’re not bothered about whether or not you hurt someone’s feelings. You’re just focused on being honest. You believe that you’re doing them a favor by being as honest as possible, even if they don’t see it at the start.
Is being blunt wrong, or is there some underlying desire to do good? [Read: 20 positive personality traits that can change your life forever]
What does it mean to be a blunt person?
A blunt person is someone who says what’s on their mind without considering the fallout. They can also be described as a straightforward person. They’re going to say it like it is and be honest with you at all times.
If you want the truth about something and want to be sure that the person who’s telling you isn’t going to be delicate, go and see a blunt person. You will get the truth, and you’ll be left with no doubt.
However, you also have to realize that being blunt means that they’re not going to save your feelings in what they say.
A person who is more sensitive may try and beat around the bush a little before they speak. They may say something like, “I think you’re doing really well, but if you just tried it this way, it could be even better.” A blunt person will just say, “It’s not working. It’s terrible. Do this instead.”
You’re getting the same advice, but it’s being delivered differently. [Read: The mean girl – 25 traits to recognize her and stay clear]
Why a blunt person is often misunderstood
Being friends with a blunt person can be so beneficial to your life, but we will get further into that later. For now, let’s talk about why blunt people are so misunderstood.
They’re often called cold, heartless, rude, and plenty of other less-than-nice terms. We get it. From the perspective of someone who may be sensitive and not used to people telling them they are wrong or having someone else put them in their place, a blunt person can come across as harsh.
For the most part, blunt people don’t want to hurt anyone. They just don’t realize that their bluntness sometimes wounds those who are a little more sensitive.
Being a blunt person is a risk. By saying exactly what you think without worrying about people’s initial reactions or feelings, you could push some people away or rub them the wrong way. But does that mean that a blunt person is actually rude or harsh? [Read: How to be a good person and transform your world]
What is a blunt person’s intention?
Yes, some people are just plain rude, but many blunt people truly want to help and have the best intentions at heart. A blunt person tells you the truth because it often helps later. They just don’t go about it in the best way sometimes.
A blunt person might tell you that you are making the wrong choices when it comes to dating. That can come across as rude, but they just want you to be happy.
Blunt people also tend to be lacking a bit of patience, so rather than let you learn from your own mistakes or come to terms in your own time, a blunt person will spill the tea ASAP.
A blunt person’s true intentions are not to upset you or make you feel bad. They want you to face the truth now so that you can be stronger later. They want you to hear what you need to hear rather than what you may want to hear. [Read: The qualities only a good friend possesses]
Why you should appreciate a blunt person in your life
Now that you know where a blunt person is coming from, you may understand it a little bit more, but you may not fully get why it is so beneficial to have a blunt person in your life.
We all love the friend that tells us we look great in every outfit or that we are definitely making the right career move by opening an Etsy shop to sell homemade jewelry.
Boosting our confidence and nodding along with whatever we say is what a good friend does. But are they just being passive, or do they actually want the best for you? That’s what you need to think about.
You see, a great friend will also make you face your problems head-on. They make you question things and challenge yourself.
A good friend not only inspires and supports you but also makes you deal with the facts. That is what a blunt person does. They care less if you are mad at them and care more about your happiness. [Read: What makes a good friend? The art of honing your friendship skills]
1. They will always be honest
You may think all friends *or at least all good friends* are honest, but that isn’t always the case. A blunt person, however, will always be honest, even brutally so if need be.
If you are dating someone who is clearly lying to you or disrespecting you, your blunt friend will tell you the flat-out truth. They have no problem being the bearer of bad news if it’s news you need to hear. [Read: How to recognize and end toxic relationships]
2. They won’t let you dwell
After a breakup, letting it all out is good. Cry, eat ice cream, and watch romcoms, but when the time comes, you need to get up and move on.
A blunt person won’t let you dwell in sadness. They will make sure you stay busy and tell you that you deserve so much better. [Read: Good friends are like stars – 18 ways to build lasting friendships]
3. They will push you
A blunt person won’t just listen to you talking about your dreams. They will push you to make them a reality. If you are hesitant to make a move for your dream job or take a risk for something you truly want, they will push you to be truly happy.
It is nice to have friends that listen and support you, but having a blunt person in your life to give you the push you need is irreplaceable.
4. They won’t let you settle
We have all taken a job where we were underpaid. We have all been in a relationship where we were underappreciated. A blunt person won’t just sit around while you waste all you have to offer somewhere or with someone that isn’t good enough.
A blunt person will remind you of everything you are capable of. [Read: 15 qualities of a good friend that set them apart]
5. They challenge you to do better
Some people love having friends who just let them be. They love being around people who are agreeable. Sometimes, having a blunt person around can be exactly what you need. They get you to learn new things, try new things, and push you to always keep getting better.
A blunt person will be the devil’s advocate and question you and really make you think hard about your decisions.
6. They won’t say “I told you so”
There are plenty of blunt people who say, “I told you so,” but the blunt people that are decent human beings won’t.
They will tell you how it is, give you their perspective, and share all they can, but they also know how to step back and let you make up your own mind. Even if they turn out to be right, they won’t rub it in. They say their piece and support you no matter what. [Read: How to be a better listener in your relationships]
7. They’re good listeners
A blunt person doesn’t just toss out advice at the drop of a hat. They don’t just spew advice at you until you obey. A blunt person likes to collect all the facts before offering a solution or opinion.
That is what makes a blunt person such a good listener. They won’t cut you off or talk over you. They will take everything you say into consideration before giving their full blunt response. [Read: How to listen to your gut and give strength to your inner voice]
8. They won’t accept nonsense
A blunt friend won’t accept nonsense from you or anyone else. If you are in denial about something, they won’t allow you to stay there. They will hit you with the truth, no matter how hard it is. If you lie to them, they will call you out on it.
What makes them so great is that they stand up for you. If someone lies to you, they will call them out on it, too.
9. They advise
Some blunt people will be cruel by saying that you look awful in an outfit or that your significant other is a waste of a human being. These aren’t genuine blunt people. They’re just rude. Instead, many blunt people will offer advice.
They will say, “That outfit doesn’t do your body any justice. Try it with a belt.” They might say, “Your beau doesn’t treat you with the respect you deserve, so find someone who will.” See the difference? [Read: Unique traits that make a person trustworthy]
10. They won’t let you down
A blunt person has a lot of opinions and loves to share them. They have no problem spitting out their every thought. They don’t really care if you’re a tad offended if what they said is helpful in the long run.
All it means is that a blunt person is invested in you. They care. They wouldn’t put your friendship at risk to ensure your happiness, health, and safety if they didn’t care. That is why a blunt person will never let you down. They will always be there to listen, advise, and tell you exactly what you need to hear, even if it is hard to swallow.
Remember that blunt people tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. [Read: Unique traits that make a person trustworthy]
But isn’t bluntness just rudeness dressed up as something else?
No. If you have a truly blunt person in your life, it doesn’t mean they’re rude. You need to see the differences in their actions to know this.
For instance, someone who isn’t blunt and is just rude won’t care about you at all. They won’t tell you things to make you do better. Also, they won’t give you advice so that you can achieve something greater.
They don’t actually care whether you’re their friend or not. That’s just rude and has nothing to do with bluntness.
For sure, some people may take bluntness to be rude, but they just don’t understand that there are good intentions beneath it. Everyone is different. Judge every person on their own merits, but know that if you have a blunt person in your life, perhaps they’re just trying to help you do better.
[Read: Really understanding what a friend actually is]
A blunt person is a lot of things. They can be harsh and pushy, but they are also supportive and inspiring. Having one in your life can actually turn out to be one of your biggest advantages.
