How To: Be A Good Friend

[virtuistic]

This is a rant not directed at anyone in particular, or even anyone I know, but it must be made

Comments

[vivnow]

I agree with you. It's better to get rid of these types of people in your life. They always make it about themselves.

Do they never change?

[virtuistic]

I think a lot of people may not even realize they're doing it... and maybe that comes from me hanging out with a younger crowd but I don't know... it just startles me how some people will actually whine at you if you say something is good is happening in your life.

I think I'm to the point where I'm gonna start calling people out on it. Strangers in coffee shops I'll never see again... just turn around and tell them to cut it out. Lol. I'm sure that'd be taken well.

[extremetapir]

One of my best friends in the world is a guy like these, actually. For example, "I guess all I'm saying is Jesus loves me,"
"Well, he loves me more," is a conversation that actually happened between him and another friend of mine. No matter what happens to me, his wife, or anyone else, something better always has to happen to him.

I don't hold it against him. It's just who he is. I don't think that part of his attitude cheapens our friendship in the slightest.

But I agree with this post overall; there simply aren't enough people out there that show genuine support for their friends when they do and don't need it. To me, though, it's not about competition. It's about accountability. If you're not in a happy relationship, it's up to you to assess the problems and figure out how it can be fixed. If you're not in a relationship, start meeting people! It's easier than you think. If you're upset about the kind of job you do or how much money you make, you have to figure out how to improve the situation. Nobody else will do that for you.

[virtuistic]

It's a good day for ranting. I'm all for it.

You don't find though that he shuts you down with his one-up-manship? That it downplays your success for the sake of his ego?

I totally agree with you about accountability as well though. I really can't stand it when people bitch about something but aren't willing to do anything about it. And waiting around for Prince Charming or to win the lottery is just stupid. Action is the key to acquisition.

It's also the key to mutant alien cow babies. Bow chicka.

[extremetapir]

My ego and pride aren't so petty as to be affected by trivial things like that. When it's necessary, I put him in his place. It always catches him off guard, but it doesn't happen frequently enough for it to be a blow to his self esteem or anything.

Students in particular are the most guilty for entitlement. So many years they get praise from their teachers, parents, coaches, directors, whomever for the most trivial things, and it really cripples them when they get to a workplace and, guess what, nobody cares.

[rhapsody]

You know I just realized that there are way too many people I know that should be shown this post. I always found it weird how some would think that you having something good in their life is just for the sake to get to them. That's a whole new level of selfish that I'm glad I don't share.

[extremetapir]

It is curable :D

Trust me. I used to be "Angsty Single Guy." Now I'm "Narcissistic Single Guy." Small adjective change, huge personality change.

[_candynsweets]

Things like success should not make people crazy jelaous. THose things should make others look at their friends as examples of how thinngs can work out for good. But as we all know the world does not always work that way.