It's what we're apparently supposed to admire about certain housemates but if I lived by that rule I'd be out of a job and living the life of a hermit.

Instead, I mostly get on with the people I work with and have some very good friends, most of whom have driven me to distraction at some point over the years, but I've kept my mouth shut in order to save myself being hurtful and because I'd valued their long term friendship more than my desire to tell them they were dating a loser/their kids sucked/yes, their bum looked big in that.

So what's so great about telling it like it is?

Nothing.

In life as you say you don't go around acting like a total tosspot because it won't get you far.
It doesn't get you that far in the BB house either but some people think confrontation makes for good tv.

It allows people to get angry and nominate people while pretending they aren't being petty.
They can pretend to be offended by the fact that someone is talking behind their back rather than admitting they are angry about what's been said.

If someone had a major issue with me then I would much rather they came to me with it rather than me find out that they have been bitching to all and sundry about it. It would be nice

The question is, are you ok with whatever things they may have thought about you in turn over the years and might it have been helpful to have been told, on occasion? I understand the pov but personally the thought that someone is thinking those things about me while I am oblivious is the worser of the 2 evils. Even if they aren't saying them behind my back. But then I am a bit of a thought police freak to be fair.

Since they all now know BB will show what they have been saying, they now tell it to people's face most of the time, that's my view.

It depends how you interpret 'Telling It Like It Is To Their Face'. It can be a positive thing when it's done, without malice or intent to unnecessarily hurt or upset someone, and when a situation warrants it.

It's really only a negative thing when it's moronically and spitefully used, and seen as some badge of honour.

^ good point; for all the talk of "who is a game player", they have actually ruined the prospect of anyone having a proper fiendish game plan - saying one thing to someone's face while plotting against them in the Diary Room, which I for one think adds a brilliant angle. Oh for old times & totally private Diary Room. Private noms ditto, no way do people nom the exact way they would have, when it is face-to-face, so what chance do they actually get to game-play?

Exactly!

Totally ruins it.

Agree. It's totally killed proper panto villians. There's nothing better than a good/evil game player who invites us, as viewers, into their game playing.

Agree with this. There's nothing worse than knowing that someone is talking trash behind your back.
Okay so maybe it's understandable if it's just a harmless joke or if they are actually concerned, but if you find them complaining to others while it's all smiles to your face then it can be really aggravating. Especially in the circumstances where if they had actually confronted the issue face-to-face then perhaps the matter could be sorted pretty easily. With them leaving with a black eye (just kidding).

I don't want to tell people to their face - i don't want people to tell me to my face either. There is NOTHING wrong with being pleasant to work mates, colleagues and acquaintances whilst inwardly disagreeing. Obviously if it's major then you find a way of 'telling it'. I hate bad feeling.

And what's more - if you 'tell it as it is' and are constantly in 'confrontations' what on earth is left to gossip about your nearest and dearest with over a cup of tea.

I'd be absolutely slated if I was a HM in the BB house

Here`s the formula

Wife asks husband if Bum looks Big
Man says "No Darling"

= Man Survives


Wife asks husband if Bum looks Big
Man says "Yes it does"

= Man doesn`t survive

"Telling it as it is" or as it is more commonly known being an obnoxious objectionably rude and confrontational **** and expecting to be thanked for it

Hmmmmmmmmmmm - not so much these days I think - I think they ask = does my bum look big enough in this?

Yep, "telling it like it is" is something only the stupid and / or nasty think is a good character trait to have.