With some types of criticism, it is intended as help or advise, and with others it’s intended to make someone else look or feel bad.
Example: Billy was attempting a handstand on a ladder. Suzy told him it was a bad idea, and that he should get down. This is an example of helpful criticism, because Suzy did not want Billy to get hurt.
Suzy bought a new sweater. Billy told her it was ugly and he would never be seen in public wearing it. This is poorly delivered criticism because it sounded cruel. Billy might have been trying to give helpful advice, but it sounded mean.
