Page
125 of the Big Book has some good advice on not giving advice:
“We
find it better, when possible, to stick to our own stories. A man may
criticize or laugh at himself and it will affect others favorably,
but criticism or ridicule coming from another often produces the
contrary effect. Members of a family should watch such matters
carefully, for one careless, inconsiderate remark has been known to
raise the very devil. We alcoholics are sensitive people. It takes
some of us a long time to outgrow that serious handicap.”
The
bottom of page 18 also touches on this concept when discussing how to
best approach someone you want to help
“...that
his whole deportment shouts at the new prospect that he is a man with
a real answer, that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou,
nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful; that there
are no fees to pay, no axes to grind, no people to please, no
lectures to be endured - these are the conditions we have found
most effective.”
(our emphases)
Comment: If this applies to advice how much more so direction!
Cheerio
The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS Our thanks to the member who drew these sections to our attention
