Which is more annoying, being preached to or being mothered?

Question

I try not to be too preachy, but have a terrible habit of wanting to mother everybody. Which habit should I fight harder to overcome?
P.S. Put on a sweater, you'll catch cold.

tuyet n -- a very good point

jeff -- it's obvious you were raised by a good mom!

Lord Vader -- um, okay, thanks for sharing

Thank you for your good answers. I wish there was some way to send things through the Internet, I'd give you all some oatmeal cookies. (Dang it, there I go again!)

Answer 1

The absolute worst is being preached to by your mother.

Answer 2

I think it all depends on a person's attitude, and how they say things.

If a person A is doing it out of good intentions and to help someone, but readily accept person B is not going to follow the advice and is willing to let it go, and does give advice in a polite manner, that's one thing.

But when person A does it to be nagging or trying to convert someone, or doing it because they can't handle person B is different, or person A is being self-centered about something, or being rude or there's swearing involved, that's a whole different ball game.


It's ALL about how things are approached.

Please don't feel I'm talking against you, I love you and have respect for you, but about putting on a sweater, maybe you want to try saying "You might want to wear a sweater because it's cold and I'd hate to see you get sick."

Answer 3

I try to mother also
my husband hates it ...
and yes I am trying to change that

I think it is just a woman thing babe
so dont be too hard on yourself
you do it because you care

and although the same can be said of preaching I'm sure
we all need a mother , we all believe in our mothers
we dont all believe the same thing or need preached to

(((ecter)))

Answer 4

I can strategically ignore preaching; but when someone "mothers" me and I'm not in the mood, I feel smothered.

FYI, it's 24 degrees outside and I wore a thin sweater, a tee shirt, summer pants and open heeled shoes with no socks. I'll let you know when I'm hospitalized due to pneumonia, but please don't tell me to put on more clothes! I like to feel unencumbered.

Answer 5

Definitely do not be to preachy! That is very annoying! But everyone enjoys being mothered every once in a while rather that admit it or not.

Answer 6

I think preaching is worse because it infers that the other person is wrong in their basic beliefs (whatever the exact issue is). Mothering infers more that the other person just can't do it themselves.

I guess.

Answer 7

it's the nature of some women to nurture and i think it's endearing and am never annoyed when my "aunties" fuss over me. it gets me fed, gets my buttons sewn back on and provides me with a safe place to cry when i want to...

being preached to, if you are amusing and witty, is okay, but i hate the droning lectures...where i have to play the ipod of the mind just to keep from screaming...

and fyi. i'm going outside with wet hair...try to stop me...

Answer 8

It's called empty nest syndrome. Let people decide for themselves. Let them make mistakes, live life and choose. We can only give advice when asked otherwise it's preaching.

Answer 9

Depends entirely with who's doing which about what! If you're going to preach, you better darn say know what you're talking about and if you want to mother me...you better BE my mother!

Answer 10

I think when rational, mature people realize that your intent is to show you care, they can overlook the preaching/mothering aspect and love you for the kind, caring nature you have.