In this post, I comment on the public’s seemingly insatiable appetite for making negative comments about just about anything and everything you can imagine.

Professional golfer Tommy Fleetwood came oh so close to winning several times on the PGA Tour over the years and, finally, in his 164^th tournament on Sunday, August 24, 2025, he won in great style, capturing golf’s Fed Ex Cup and a $10 million payday. 

The 34-year-old, British-born Fleetwood previously won seven times on the DP World Tour and three other times in other parts of the world, but this was his first time to hoist the trophy at a PGA Tour event.

We are so used to seeing the golfers’ significant others on television – often with the kids along, too – to share hugs and smiles with the winner. Tommy Fleetwood and his wife, Clare, though, were not able to share his shining moment. And here’s the reason why: Clare is 57-years-old and has often felt sensitive to what the public has to say about the couple’s 23-year age difference.

So, instead of being there and being age-shamed, as she has been previously, Clare stayed home and watched the tournament on TV. Tommy and Clare’s ages are, of course, nobody’s business but their own. But that doesn’t stop the know-it-alls.

Opinions. They can be helpful when shared in a caring and constructive manner. But when said or written in any demeaning or nasty way – they do considerable damage. This has only been magnified with today’s various social media channels and opportunities to share your opinions with the world. So many people now have this as their favorite pastime, and sadly they overwhelmingly tend to share negative opinions.

Back in the day, the school-yard bully was just that, throwing his or her weight around among a small, targeted audience. Now, the bullies among us can literally reach millions and millions of people with their on-line comments. That is a huge danger zone.

The next time you want to immediately comment on-line about something, stop and take a moment to think about the ramifications of your loose words. Ask yourself how you would feel if you were the target of those words rather than the sender.

Even Dorothy Parker, the poet, screenwriter, and critic who was well known for her witty remarks and was once fired because of her overly nasty reviews, knew the power she had and offered the following advice: “Hold your pen and spare your voice.” That’s another way of advising everyone to not say anything if you cannot say something good.

Criticism that is constructive in nature certainly has its place and can be a contributing factor toward making improvements. Careless sharing of opinions, however, does not. 

The late psychologist and writer, Dr. Wayne Dyer, suggested that we live our lives in such a way that we are independent of other people’s opinions. That is the best solution to maintain peace of mind. Let’s do all we can do, though, to not litter the airwaves or world wide web with negativity. We will all benefit from the effort.

REMEMBER…

◊ Think before you speak and think before you write. Then think twice or more before you hit the send button.

◊ Dorothy Parker also said, “Never throw mud. You may miss your mark, but you will have dirty hands.”

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