Social Filter

Children do not have social filters which help them discern whether or not what they are thinking should escape from their mouths.

"Why does she have pink hair?"
"That man has a big belly."
"Why are you so small?"

When I taught second grade the experience was humbling.

"You have a hole in your sweater."
"What is that brown spot above your lip?"
"Why is your front tooth yellow?"

Explanation was defeating since I had no idea what they were talking about in the first place. Yellow tooth? Where? What brown spot? Do I need an immediate lip wax? Where is a candle?

Some adults lack a social filter.

"Your baby is too young to be outside."
"I liked your hair better the other way."
"You've gained some weight, good, I've always thought that you were too thin."

Men have no social filter.

"Dude, you're fat. Lay off the burgers!"
"Your wife is way too good looking for your mug."
"Did you borrow those shoes from your dad?"

My middle mister has a very good friend who is on the smaller side of the growth chart. I have tried to explain the social filter to him since he is always telling his friend how small he is, and that he has small ears. I think that he is beginning to understand how this might hurt his friends feelings, but who knows. Kids always tell it like they see it.

I hope that my social filter is always in the "on" position, although I'm sure that I have said things which sure not exactly acceptable, socially. I have a lot of things that I need to work on. It is a good thing that perfection is saved for eternity, I am a work in progress.