Humans just don't seem to think...

So, I get people telling me that they're too afraid to give me the constructive criticism I specifically ask for. Because they're too afraid of me getting angry at them. Going to set aside the fact that those who do tell me things will (hopefully) agree that though I might get annoyed, I am usually willing to listen and think about it.

No, my annoyance and amusement comes from this: These same people, too cowardly to speak to my face or even send a note or E-mail...then speak disparagingly about me behind my back. Seriously, am I the only one who finds this rather stupid? If you're afraid of me being angry for saying something directly to me, what makes you think I'd be less angry to find you said shit behind my back? At least by saying it directly to me, you show a modicum of RESPECT. I'd ask if people could really be that dumb, but...

And it's not just to me. Humans do this all the time. And it always seems to get found out, usually in some roundabout way. Person A says something to person B, about person X. B then speaks to C. C then later tells D on the phone, not realizing that person X is sitting near enough to hear it all? "**sob** Well, I didn't want to hurt you by telling you..." And you honestly thought that it would hurt less to find out from another person, and to know you had so little respect and care for them? To know that you obviously didn't think highly enough of them to think that they could handle such news from someone that supposedly cares about them?