Criticism Among Friends

One of the big differences I've noticed since going through the PhD is that I don't automatically parse criticism (of my ideas/writings/thougths etc) as inherently indicating malice or ill-will from the critic. Usually I'm actually happy to get it, even if it still comes with that little flutter of anxiety that I've fed up.

But am noticing that a lot of my friends who didn't do higher education take it personally if I say something like "hmm you kinda were the asshole in that situation" or "hmm I don't think that's correct". These aren't even personal "I need to vent" type convos, just discussions about politics.

I imagine the process of getting feedback from your PhD supervisor and panel - who for the most part have your interests at heart and are invested in you succeeding - which you can tell with hindsight molded you into a better thinker, probably makes one more receptive to criticism.

Has anyone noticed this difference with people outside the ivory tower?