I've been told I think too much about what other people think.  I don't know.  Isn't that how we maintain a sense of empathy?  I think that is how we know when something is polite or not.   I think that is what makes us polite.  If I didn't think about what my friends think I might say something that pisses them off. (There, I just worried that perhaps somebody will be offended that I said 'piss' )  I think most of my friends will understand and not be worried about it.  We use certain words to communicate not just a concept, but the intensity, and position of that concept in relation to other concepts.   Sometimes these things are good.   The problem is that these will not be understood accurately ten to fifteen years from now.  I know that meanings of many phrases, at least the connotations they carry, have changed in my life time.  I remember the first time I heard 'Wicked' to mean 'Cool' or awesome. I automatically understood because the culture had shifted in that direction and made that the best choice for the concept.  

Since I am constantly concerned with how things I say and do affect others, I thrive on constant feedback.  It is very painful, and anxiety driving for me not to know how someone feels about something.  Most people that know me probably figured that out, so they make sure I know how they feel.   My friends do anyway.  I figure those that know this, and keep those ideas from me are not very nice people.   There is the chance that they are afraid they will offend me, though, and so, I must communicate now, that if you are one of those people, as long as I know you have my best interest in mind, and stay polite about what you are saying, and never accusing. I would truely like to know what you really think.  

I try to use emoticons to let people know the subtle visual cues that I would be normally giving in a face to face conversation, and I find those most useful.   I suppose a video email would be good too, but then I would re-record it 11 or 12 times to make sure I showed the facial gestures I wanted to convey, and made sure they mean only what I think they mean.   Communication is so much more complete face to face, eye to eye.  (and/but) it requires honesty.

So, what do you think..... I'll be anxiously (as in anxiety) waiting for your responses. :D