Sometimes we talk about things like referrals or general business practices, and it might come across like we’re taking aim at someone specific. Let me clear that up right away — I’m not. I’m making general points, and unless a business is named, there’s no hidden meaning. No code to crack. Just thoughts and observations, shared for the sake of open dialogue.
I get that not everyone reads tone the same way — some of us are wired with a little more anxiety, and I understand that. But that doesn’t mean I’m out here taking shots. In fact, if I wanted to write about a specific business, I wouldn’t beat around the bush — I’d name the person who runs the business and the business itself. I didn’t, so it should have read as generic.
And if I really wanted to create a blog post on a specific business, it would be about as subtle as a brick. No smoke and mirrors. No riddles. Just plain old, straight-up commentary.
Speaking Openly and Honestly
I like to keep things a little sarcastic — a little Rick Sanchez-style, if you will. It’s how I express ideas without sounding like a corporate memo. That tone might not suit everyone, and that’s okay — but it’s not meant to be mean-spirited. It’s meant to spark conversation.
And do I now need to preface every blog post done with a sarcastic, Rick Sanchez-style or seemingly insulting tone (when insult wasn’t intended) as being for comedic effect to open discussions? That seems a bit much. If something came across the wrong way, a conversation works better than condemnation.
If someone feels insulted or targeted by any of my blog posts, that was never the intent. My content is designed to be more general and to encourage open communication — not close it off. If the business I accidentally offended still wants to talk and have an actual open discussion, I’m all ears — but don’t insult either of our intelligences. We can be better than this.
People with autism — like myself — can often sound worse than intended. Tone, humour, bluntness — it can all be misread. That doesn’t make it malicious. It makes it human.
Energising Phrasing
Sometimes we use energising phrasing to get a reaction. The idea isn’t to offend or cause harm but to stir thought and get people talking. It’s a technique that encourages people to either stand for or against an idea, helping us explore the topic from different perspectives. Again, the intent is never to insult or hurt anyone — it’s simply to spark discussion. Regardless of the wording, the goal is always the same — to open discussions and create dialogue, not to throw jabs or target anyone.
Companionship Over Competition
I do my best to keep content fair and light-hearted. If a blog post makes a point about common behaviours or trends, it’s not to shame anyone — it’s to highlight things I’ve seen, dealt with, or thought about. If your business model or practices are working just fine, brilliant. I’m not trying to tear anyone down.
But let’s be real — in today’s market, it’s better to be a companion than competition. Businesses that collaborate or support one another create stronger networks and happier customers. If you act like you’re competition, you risk getting left behind and losing customers in the long term.
It’s also worth mentioning that barring someone simply because of a misread of a blog post is remarkably bad form. A knee-jerk reaction to a generic post, rather than an open conversation, is hardly a healthy way to resolve differences. It closes the door to meaningful dialogue, which is essential for growth and mutual understanding.
If You’re Still Unsure…
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Hey, that sounds like us,” maybe just take a step back. If I wanted to write about your business, I’d name it. If I didn’t — it’s not about you.
I don’t write in code, I don’t do passive-aggressive. I speak plainly. So unless you see your business clearly called out, take the post with a pinch of salt — and maybe a shot of humour.
If it’s this easy to get barred for just creating a blog post intended for open discussions, then some people may be more sensitive than I thought. So to the business that took offense — sorry if I accidentally caused offense, but it wasn’t intended.
If a generic statement about fragile egos is enough to get a knee-jerk reaction where someone instantly assumes “the blog post is about me,” then perhaps a rethink is needed. Constructive discussions move us forward. Knee-jerk assumptions do not.
I also think that more was read into the blog post than actually intended. My partner believes the original blog post cost them a friend — but in reality, it was the knee-jerk reaction to a very generically worded blog post that did such. I believe the person who got offended (and I’m not naming names for good reason) read the original blog post in a far more direct tone than intended and assumed the post was taking pot shots at them.
TL;DR
I write general blog posts. If a business sees themselves in what I write, it’s probably a coincidence. I like sarcastic, honest tones. Don’t take offence where none is intended. And if you did — maybe that’s on you, not me. If a general blog post sets you off that much, maybe we’re not meant to get along anyway.