Start with thank you

Many of us are familiar with the notion that ‘if you don’t anything nice to say…’ it’s probably best to keep it mute.

Allow me to introduce a more pertinent turn of the phrase:

If you do have something (good) to say, start with 'thank you.'

Don’t expect your criticism (constructive or otherwise) to fall on anything other than deaf ears if you can’t manage to appreciate the time and effort already put in.

People don’t like feedback enough as it is. The least you could do is say thanks.