The well-known British ballroom dancer and television judge Shirley Ballas has become well-known for her direct and occasionally harsh criticism on programs like "Strictly Come Dancing". During an interview, she related a story about a person named Corky. This individual was well-known for being very playful and frequently made lighthearted jokes about Shirley.

Corky would make remarks that were mildly mean but not too harsh to tease Shirley. As an example of his attempt to be provocative in his remarks, he once made a joke about how big her breasts were by comparing them to tiny raisins on a breadboard. At another point, he cleverly but slightly mockingly remarked that her chest looked sunken, like something a pirate might hide or treasure.

Over the years, Shirley was impacted by Corky's teasing despite these lighthearted remarks. He didn't like her teeth either, she says, until she got braces at age 25. Like a small pickaxe chipping away at stone, Shirley's confidence and self-esteem began to erode as a result of this constant criticism. She began to seriously doubt her appearance as a result of the persistent prodding and prodding.

The idea that even seemingly innocuous jokes or constant criticism can gradually undermine one's sense of self-worth is encapsulated in Shirley Ballas' quote. Even if we want our words to be humorous or lighthearted, it acts as a reminder to be careful about how they may impact other people.

Shirley Ballas's account of Corky serves as an example of the value of standing by one another rather than tearing each other down. People require support and affirmation to feel good about themselves, just as a garden requires tending to grow. The metaphor of the pickaxe chipping away at stone emphasizes how persistently unfavorable remarks can gradually erode someone's self-esteem and make them feel inferior or undervalued.