I quite agree, Didface.  

The word "criticism" can often be a sort of umbrella word and means different things to different people.  I think a lot of people would empathize with you, and have similar recollections of shouty relatives or teachers for whom one can never do anything that is right - whether one is playing, studying or simply standing still in the "wrong" way.  I have no time for bullies.

Being a good manager requires a good number of skills, including being a problem-solver.  It's a great thing when you can work with such a person, as they make life so much pleasanter.  

My heart sinks when I read some of the posts here in DeskDemon.  In some ways we have come such a long way in employment, particularly here in the United Kingdom; in other ways I think we are in the Dark Ages.  People, in my small opinion, often just don't know how to behave.