Telling reality rather than fluff doesn't have to always be blunt, harsh, in-your-face, and alienating, although, there are times when it will be taken as such if the personal investment of the questioner is deeply embedded enough in what answers they get and mostly expected.
Putting up straw-men around here seems like a very good way of watching them get burned to the ground.

Although, being 'realistic' has a tendency to be different for different people. Our sense of what is and isn't realistic can range widely.
For instance, I know that Lisa has a very hardheaded sense of what she considers 'real.' But, I've been on boards with her for a long time and find her views challenge me very often and certainly make me consider what she says. Do our senses of 'reality' coincide. Sometimes they have and do, sometimes they diverge.
But, I always find her honest in presenting what she thinks and usually why. Given the gnomic style, it can be difficult to puzzle out sometimes.

N~