I'm really blunt, but only when I know it won't hurt people.

For example, I do not hesitate to tell a guy I'm dating if he just got a very disagreeable haircut and that he should reconsider when he grows his hair back in a few weeks.

I don't take criticism so well, though. My parents have always been critical of everything about me, so I look to friends and boyfriends for approval.

I can't really think of anything I would criticize my boyfriend about (physically), accept he did cut his hair once in a way which wasn't so great, because I absolutely loved how he used to have it, but it's slowly growing back. Other than that, I don't know, I guess I'm blind to his flaws, lol. Which wasn't the case AT ALL with my ex-boyfriend, it's like I saw nothing but flaws with him. I think it may have been because he was constantly picking at me about mine, so I noticed his as well. 

people who verbally abuse others always do it because they know that person is actually better than them, so they have to belittle them to try to make them feel lower. don't put up with that!!

if he criticizes me first, I won't hesitate to hurt him the way he hurt me.

I hate it when people say things to other people when it's like, you shouldn't even be talking! Ugh...

@P0RCELA1N_D0LL@xanga - i agree.

Mmm, yea maybe I was a bit hesitant to criticize my SO because I was afraid she would have taken it personally. But it really depends on the person and the trust in the relationship. If people trust their SO enough to realize that they are in fact just giving constructive criticism (if indeed it is!) then that's really cool. I know I have my fair share of imperfections and there's nothing wrong with someone guiding me through the process of exchanging bad habits for good habits. Kaizen, FTW! :P

I use to think I was subconcious about looks only to realise that girls are even more subconcious when it comes to looks. 

Anyways, as a rule of thumb when it comes to criticism (from anyone including your SO):

You should learn to ignore criticism when it's unwarranted and to reflect on it when it's "constructive".

sandwich criticism!

"baby i love your personality and i am very attracted to you
and your new haircut looks very unique, but I would prefer the old one on you
it brings out your eyes"

good
bad
good

he's a jerk. you shouldn't be bothered. that was the right thing to do! :)

Well... he shouldn't be pointing out your flaws when he has the same ones...

And... my SO doesn't necessarily point out my flaws, but after 2 kids I'm not the same size as when he first met me... so he does tend to tell me when to say no to the ice cream, or to go to the gym with him. He is a gym fanatic, basketball is his life...and he always tells me that he thinks I'm beautiful, but he knows I'm not happy with my weight (because I'm not) and that he wants to help me reach my goal.

Good on you to leave someone who's calling the kettle black. *high five!*
I generally don't criticize my man, unless he's being a real nincompoop.  I usually end up telling him he's been insensitive or lazy, it's not news to him because he already knows it himself.  He usually doesn't criticize me either, sometimes even when I'm being a total turd.  Man's got some seriously long length of patience for me! 

Mostly we compliment each other on what we think is looking/going good for the other, because it makes the other endeavour to go for it even more.  Like I would tell him that I appreciate him keeping himself smelling fresh and nice all the time, which would make him continue to keep doing so.  And he would tell me what an awesome girlfriend I am, which makes me keep wanting to do special things for him, like making him a dinner of dumplings made at home from scratch!

Lol, funny picture that is.