Unsolicited help

hat phrase is an oxymoron. The two words contradict each other. The phrase "unsolicited help" is used by people who don't know how to gratefully and graciously interact with their fellow man. Let me explain.

If I ask you for help, my request is a solicitation. Your answer is not unsolicited. If I don't ask for help and you offer your opinion, you may think that your words are unsolicited, but I may welcome them. You won't know what I think about what you say until you say it.

If, on the other hand, I offer my opinion to you and:

• you don't want to hear what I say; or
• you don't trust me; or
• you don't think what I'm saying will help you; or
• you don't like my tone of voice; or
• you don't think what I'm saying is correct; or
• you are so conceited and self-contained that you never listen to other's opinions; or
• you have become so defensive that any challenge to your person makes you uncomfortable; or
• you have been beaten down so brutally by situations you've gotten into...

...then, you will think that my offer of help is unsolicited, unwelcomed, improper, and maybe just plain wrong. In my opinion, you are cutting off your nose to spite your face. You are only hurting yourself.

Continued...