As a child I was admonished to be respectful and take care not to hurt other people’s feelings. 

In general, that’s OK advice. Regardless, I have found it fails as a general rule.

Yes, sometimes our honesty hurts other people. Children often make innocent comments that adults find inappropriate. For example, children notice and comment on differences in people’s appearance and that can be very embarrassing for adults, especially parents. So, with fear of hurting other people’s feelings in mind, early in life many of us learn to place our natural [accurate and innocent] thoughts on hold and keep them to ourselves. Later, as we become less child-like [and more adult-like] we learn to adjust our communication in ways that conceal our true thoughts and replace them with adult-acceptable messages. 

Now, as this 21st Century continues to unfold, it seems feelings are reigning near supreme. 

Are feelings going to undermine honesty?

Considering other people’s feelings: 

Where should lines be drawn between honest expression of thought and suppression of expression? 

Are we doing a good enough job teaching children they and other people have the ability to control their reactions to other people’s words? In fact, with some education and effort each of us can learn self-control, including control over our feelings…are we teaching that to our children?

Are we providing education that opens minds to thickening skin?