You would think that after 40 years I might know how to be, but you must remember that I was raised by wolves. If you have seen Running with Scissors that is basically my life in a nutshell. In fact, I thought that the author had snuck in and read my Hello Kitty journal, but I guess there can be two of us who lived living nightmares.
Anyway, as I was saying, you would think I would know these things, but I am looking for some advice to the following questions - feel free to comment or ring me up with your answers.
What do you do when you are talking to someone and they are openly talking about how much they hate someone, but you either have no opinion, like them, or just don't want to talk about other people? What is the best way to not belittle the person who is talking and still extradite yourself from the conversation?
What do you do when someone gripes about the same problems all of the time? They don't seem to be doing anything about it, but you don't want to continue to give your inspired (yet unsolicited) advice?
What do you do when someone is obviously trying to needle you? They are pushing the same buttons, telling the same stories, and trying to undermine what you are doing? This is usually a work thing where someone has a gripe with you and is passively trying to unsettle you - how do you handle that?
Any advice appreciated - I seem to run in with all three all of the time and have tried various things and always end up feeling awful after the conversation, like I need to take a shower. Help.
Photo Credit: Gabriella Camerotti
