John, you might enjoy and old thread about being "completely honest." If you search a year back on that you will find it.

Sometimes, I think, it is that people are honestly expressing the positive side of what they have seen or heard. I think it is honest to make a choice to praise the best among all that has been offered, in the wisdom that this can be a powerful motivation to continue to progress in the specific area praised.

I also think that most people have a "short list" of people to whom they turn, once they are ready, on any effort, for a little constructive feedback that includes attention to areas in need of improvement. Let me say it as briefly as possible-- when my dughter and I sing in rehearsal, and she looks at me with that look I know so well, and says, "That really sucked!", then we both know it is said in honest love and humor, and we both crack up, and we try to do better, and we keep at it. If someone I do not know or trust walked in on the same rehearsal, and said that, my throat would slam shut and it's unlikely I'd sing at all. Well, I see criticism from the context of that sort of continuum.

~S~