How to react to people?

[Fallen bad23]

I find it hard to react to my friends. I can't feel much anymore so whenever one of them is happy or sad I just don't know what to say or do. I simply freeze and say crazy stuff that are so not related to the situation. What can I do? Help :(

 

[Smilla]

Describe "crazy"

 

[dhk96]

You can try telling them what you told us. Not the whole story, like why you can't sympathize with them unless you trust them enough to understand. But you can tell them that you just don't know how to react.

People have different sensitivities to, and reactions in, social situations, and a lot of them are bad at dealing with sad news or giving advice. They might also feel uneasy talking about certain subjects. If you're feeling uneasy on the spot, you can say "sorry, I wish I could help but I don't know what to say" or something along those lines. It's an honest answer but it doesn't mean you don't care. You also can hug it out, sit there in silence with your friend, or offer to do a fun activity to help take their mind off what happened afterwards. The gesture alone is appreciated.

If it's about having to act cheerful and happy for a friend sharing good news, think about the person. They're your friend so you probably like them for some reason. Even if you can't get yourself to care about what happened, this person is someone close to you. You would like to feel happy if you could, right? You can think of it as a good thing that someone you like is happy, in a "hey, it's great that someone I like doesn't have to feel the way I do." Just don't let that thought become a negative thing for you. Otherwise, it's all about honing the acting skills. I'm sorry that things are getting harder.

 

[Donewith_]

Its not the best thing..but I actually tend to avoid any of such situations if it is in my hands. Or sometimes I just say they are brave enough that they are standing even in such situations. At times, when they are feeling low ,just a simple reminder of what great obstacles they have faced before and and are still enduring..gives them a hope to pickup themselves again.

 

[Fallen bad23]

Describe "crazy"

I try to force a certain impression on my face and keep on repeating a sentence or two.

 

[Fallen bad23]

You can try telling them what you told us. Not the whole story, like why you can't sympathize with them unless you trust them enough to understand. But you can tell them that you just don't know how to react.

People have different sensitivities to, and reactions in, social situations, and a lot of them are bad at dealing with sad news or giving advice. They might also feel uneasy talking about certain subjects. If you're feeling uneasy on the spot, you can say "sorry, I wish I could help but I don't know what to say" or something along those lines. It's an honest answer but it doesn't mean you don't care. You also can hug it out, sit there in silence with your friend, or offer to do a fun activity to help take their mind off what happened afterwards. The gesture alone is appreciated.

If it's about having to act cheerful and happy for a friend sharing good news, think about the person. They're your friend so you probably like them for some reason. Even if you can't get yourself to care about what happened, this person is someone close to you. You would like to feel happy if you could, right? You can think of it as a good thing that someone you like is happy, in a "hey, it's great that someone I like doesn't have to feel the way I do." Just don't let that thought become a negative thing for you. Otherwise, it's all about honing the acting skills. I'm sorry that things are getting harder.

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your kind answer :)

 

[Fallen bad23]

Its not the best thing..but I actually tend to avoid any of such situations if it is in my hands. Or sometimes I just say they are brave enough that they are standing even in such situations. At times, when they are feeling low ,just a simple reminder of what great obstacles they have faced before and and are still enduring..gives them a hope to pickup themselves again.

Great advice, thank you so much :)

 

[sólstafir]

I have a lot to learn from my friend who is a good listener, but usually don't know what to say. I can feel his active presence when I'm talking, he often says 'I don't know what to say'. And that means so much to me that he listens, doesn't matter that he doesn't know what to say, makes me love him even more.