What Do You Tell Someone…

…when they’ve asked you to see their show/read their book/view their art, and you end up finding it absolutely repugnant and/or amateurish?

And, what’s more, they’ve insisted that you come backstage/email/call and let them know just what you thought of it?

Well, after years of having to face this more-awkward-than-confession situation, I find it’s easiest to look them straight in the eye and say extremely vague things like:

“You really did it!”

“I was amazed!”

“Very interesting stuff!”

“You did what you set out to do!”

“Really consistent!”

Or best of all:

“Wow!”

How would you handle this kind of thing charitably, yet with your dignity still intact?