"There is GOOD news, and BAD news"...

[FeuerFrei]

I have no standing policy on the order of good/bad news.

As far as optimism goes I'm a steadfast optimist when things are iffy.

 

[2Dead]

bad first

 

[athithi]

Good news, first.

I like to hear the good news first because from personal experience, the good news is often offered as consolation. To me, bad news first means the good news that follows is not going to be good enough and that leaves me with bad news + disappointment Hearing the good news first will mean I don't have to judge it relative to the bad news that follows and can enjoy the good news for what it is worth.

Also, from a practical standpoint good news typically is just information whereas bad news probably requires action, which is another reason why I'd like to be in a positive frame of mind while hearing the bad news.

Giving good news after bad news can sound patronizing and insincere and when I have to give someone bad news, I prefer to be professional and serious about it - meaning, I am telling them that the good news stands on its own merit and the bad news is something I am willing to discuss further if it will help.

 

[ShadowOfMyself]

Bad first because theres always the chance that the good news will make the bad ones unimportant..

Say... suppose youre talking to your girlfriend/wife

Bad - "I just got a new job, and unfortunately, its far away and we'll have much less time to spend together"

Good - "But my paycheck is gonna double and Ill have twice the vacations"

If you put it that way, she would certainly be very happy about it, but if you did it backwards, she would go "Ahhh... I knew it couldnt be that good" and be disappointed

 

[Injury]

A guy is called to the hospital because his wife was in a car wreck. After waiting impatiently and on edge for 11 hours, the surgeon comes out to the waiting room and talks to the guy.

"The good news is that we were able to save her life."
"That's great! Thank you so much. Oh my God, Thank you."
"The bad news is that she had severe damage to her spine... she'll never walk again and will probably have to be bed-ridden her whole life... she can't be in a wheel chair because her neck will not be able to take any movement or support even an ounce of the weight of her head. She's lost control of her bodily functions, she'll be in diapers the rest of her life and her imune system is greatly weakend... she will probably be very sick for years on end. She can't talk and she will probably never remember anything before the wreck or be able to create any long term memories."
"That's okay doctor, I'm just happy she's alive. Thank you so much.. thank you, thank you, thank you."
"Nah... I'm just messing with you... she's dead."



Sorry... I felt it appropriate to tell a joke that's innappropriate. Good news or bad news... neither one will tackle the worst news.

 

[T3C]

Good news first. I like to start out on a positive note.

 

[lokiju]

I'm usually optimistic so I'm a "glass is half full" kind of guy I guess.

I usually ask for the bad news first.