The other day, a few friends and I were sitting a lunch sharing stories about our kids, when one guy tossed out this gem.

Their family was sitting at the table, having a nice home-cooked meal.  From what he says, they usually eat out for dinner, and this elicited a discussion about the merits of eating at home versus dining out regularly.  The entire family agreed that eating at home more often would save them money and probably be more nutritious.  That’s when his 9-year old son leans across the table and says, “And you know Dad, now don’t take this the wrong way, but you are kind of FAT, and everyone know the hot girls don’t like fat guys.”

Well, he was left speechless as his wife tried to sneak away from the table without blowing soda out of her nose.  After a few moments, he decided all he could do was laugh and agree.

It’s a funny story, and it points out how children’s thought processes don’t run through the same social filter as adults.  The truth of the matter is that if a wife, parent, friend, or co-worker made a statement like that, any of us would be both horrified and offended.  But a child can make that statement, and although it may be embarrassing, most people won’t get too upset.

It makes me wonder if the filter that holds adults in check might be just a little too tight sometimes.  We all have people in our lives that may need to be told something unpleasant.  Maybe they have physical conditions they choose to ignore, and just need to be reminded every so often by someone who cares about them.  How often do we avoid saying those things for fear of hurting their feelings?  By the same token, do your loved ones avoid saying those things to you out of fear of your response?

As we grow up, we are taught to avoid remarks that might be deemed casually insensitive, and for good reason.  The little niceties each of us observes day in and day out helps grease the wheels of society.  But it might just be that, for the people you love, sometimes those wheels should squeak just a little.

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