“Being judgmental can be a good thing. Our judgment is a survival skill, according to psychotherapist Joyce Marter, LCPC. It helps us stay out of danger. For instance, you use good judgment when you don’t give your phone number to a man who’s ‘separated’ from his ‘crazy’ wife, or invest money in a hot new business started by your nephew who has a gambling problem, she said.
However, when we use judgment beyond its survival value, it can ruin relationships, ‘because nobody likes to feel they’re being scrutinized by a ‘Judge Judy’.’ Marter defined being judgmental as ‘placing your own values, opinions or preferences on others.’ We do this about everything from people’s hairstyles to their husbands, she said.”
