Hi Motts

Reading your response, I thought I had unfairly criticised you but realise that's not the case. I'm also a direct person, which has and still does cause a problem with people who can't accept my straight talking approach. Problem is we don't know the other person's ability to handle our views, positive or critical, if we've only just met them.

Sounds like the instructor who's bailed lacks basic business acumen or didn't want to be bothered with protecting her reputation should something go wrong. We do make allowances if something can't be completed due to illness more than if it was abruptly terminated because someone said something they didn't like. In her position, she should be able to handle the latter. You summed it up, her lack of integrity and transparency. My late maternal grandmother the type described in that fantastic poem; she lived in 20th century. My mother has a similar character. One of her favourite sayings is "if you ask someone's opinion, you are prepared to listen". How I wish that was true!

Don't give up on expressing yourself. It isn't wrong. I'm in a family that can't take criticism but can certainly dish it out. Trying to avoid all the cliches here. You are who you are, part of a dying breed that is still able to speak up instead of hiding!!