&gt; Because it&#x27;s rarely in someone&#x27;s self-interest to give honest feedback, which is true for [...] almost anyone  in a position to issue some type of denial. Instead, they part with something ambiguous, non-committal, and ideally flattering because it covers their butts and allows them to backpedal if necessary.<p>I broke up with a girl a few hours ago and this sounds so cruelly true.