semantics?

[erratio]

Whats the difference between a guilt trip and airing a valid concern?

It seems to me that in the one case you're telling someone something with the express purpose of making them feel like they need to act on it.. and the other.. you're telling them something which they should take into account and/or act on...?
Considering that guilt tripping is something i've sworn to avoid as much as humanly possible, while a concern is usually something which should be raised as fast as possible to avoid it becoming a huge issue.. i would really like to know the answer O_o

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Hmm there are two approaches I use to make people aware of my concerns, depending on how much I care about their feelings and/or want to wound them.

The first is the nice approach, but it's not easy. You need patience and calm, and you need to choose your words carefully. Try to take them privately, so as not to embarass them. Speak slowly, rationally, but kindly - be open to their responses, and never let them think you're not listening. You can figure out the rest.

The second is far more fun, and so much easier. You basically tell them straight out - cold, cruel, complete. They feel angry and embarassed, but sometimes it's just the shock they need.

[erratio.livejournal.com]

see that advice would be so much more useful if i'd ask "how do you tell someone about a concern?" :p however my question was more along the lines of "when is it enough of a concern to raise and when is it just me being paranoid/insecure/whiny/a bastard/etc"