[givemethebeat]

Part of taking criticism is to be able to handle anything that people say. Too often everyone goes ga ga at the ugly baby. Sure the baby is loved by the mom and dad but the moment the baby is out of earshot people say. "Dam that one ugly baby".
Everyone needs encouragement! Drummers are but a small speck in the scheme of things. When vulnerable and in the learning stages which really is lifelong... the fastest way to get a result is to confront the issue, not gloss it over.
I agree with Upstroke on reaching back. The secrets are slowly being lost in the drumming world and its sad to see this happen. Eventually there will be the new breed, (sorry Gary) and that will consist of instant gratification and if it doesn't happen 'yesterday' 'I am gonna throw it away' attitudes.
Drumming is not just about drums. Drumming is life. Life is critical and harsh not wrapped in cotton wool. If someone can't take a wrap from someone else then they are single ply skinned.
To clarify the last comment this means that single ply skins don't normally last as long as say thicker skins.. and yes theres all the variables that associate with single vs mulitple but for the sake of the analogy take it as it is intended.

I disagree that its never a good idea to tell someone they suck. Firstly it takes them off the ego trip and brings them down to earth. Then they learn something, whatever that may be and if they are determined will progress where comments like that are water on a ducks back. Sometimes when we look just a 64th note deeper into things, they are all not as they seem.