Are you the type of person that worries about hurting another feelings and so

United States
March 25, 2010 5:15am CST
Are you the type of person that worries about hurting another's feelngs or that if you tell someone "no" or something they should hear you feel that it would hurt them too much? Sometimes I find it hard to say the real way I feel about situtions and thus end up doing things or allowing others to do things I don't agree with. Like: having someone take over your house.. Ihave a friend who basically comes to visit over the weekend..Little by little, she turned my bedroom into another little room for her..her own apartment is stuffed already. Because I didn't want to hurt her feelings, I allowed her bring things I decided that I needed to take back my space . and felt bad in my heart; yet she has her own home and perhaps.. it wasn't helping her to start to clutter up my only bedroom with her things? Have you ever had a hard time telling someone "no"?
2 people like this
8 responses
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hello Friend, I have been like that in the past for many years. When I was a kid, I was always afraid of telling the rude and bitter facts. I just couldn't! Many times I went out of the way to make the other person feel better... Result: I degraded my self-confidence, gradually! Trust me, people take advantage of this good quality in you. I am sure your friend knows that you don't like it and as long as you are not going to say anything, she will keep invading your personal space at your own home. That is ridiculous! My advice to you is to tell her what she is doing and how it causes annoyance and irritation to you. That is the only way!!! I know it going to be tough, but there is always a first time, right? You are getting hurt, while you have been trying not to hurt her. Why do that???
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Mar 10
I try to tell her .. but she has some mental disabilities which makes it hard for me to tell her things without her exploding or taking it too close too hard. She feels if I tell her that she can't do this or that that I am putting her down... I have, however, this week taking a stand.. and we came to agreements about things.
• United States
29 Mar 10
Well I will try. It's very hard for me..Since my personality tends to want to help even to the point of sacrificing my own happiness. Such has landed me in situations I didnt want to be in and then I am upset to find myself in them. ONly one to blame is me. I guess everyone has their own characters to deal with.
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
29 Mar 10
I am glad that you have come to some agreement about the matter in hand. However, please make sure that you don't end up feeling terrible about it, like the last time. I don't know how can you manage 'not to put her down' while sacrificing your own personal space. Many people would object to that! Being good is nice, but being too good is to let them use one... Don't let anyone use you, because that leaves us feeling bad about it... I am sorry for such direct words, but honey, facts are facts... Good Luck!
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
yeah sometimes. when it comes to my youngest brother. he always gets what he wants so if i said no he would get angry. but most of the time i dont mind saying no. i just let them deal with it. if they cant it s their problem. usually to other people, even my friends.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Mar 10
Sounds like you have tough skin.I have a hard time. I think I am getting better with not giving people everything but find it hard.. it's tears my heart out not to give people what they are asking.. What I need to ask..is : is what they are asking something they need or want.
• United States
29 Mar 10
Thats what happens to me. People know I wont say "no" most of the time and then use me even when I have nothing to give. I seem to attract "users" like a magnet attracts steel.
• Philippines
26 Mar 10
yeah, most of the time it s something they want. if you think you are being taken advantage of just say no. dont think, what if. itll just make things complicated.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Not when it comes to my things. I do worry about saying things that might hurt a friends feelings. If it is my stuff and they are wanting to do something, I can say no very easily.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Mar 10
Some people are blessed with the ability to say " no " and luckily you are not hindered from expressing your true feelings.
@basqui (3888)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
In the school that I'm working in, I'm one of the young teachers here. Most of the older teachers give me some paperworks to encode in the PC and I just can't say no because they are seniors here. Actually I applied as a teacher here and not as a clerk but they are treating me as a clerk. Do you think just letting them do this to me is alright?
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Mar 10
Wow.. in our teaching system .. Each teacher is independent and workload is not imposed by other teachers but by the one higher up .. Teachers are not your boss,here. .but I dn't know about where you are ? What country are you in.. How is it you are asked to be a clerk when you are a teacher?
@basqui (3888)
• Philippines
28 Mar 10
Maybe my co-teachers think they are senior in the profession that's why they give paper works to me. I accept these for some time when I'm not busy but they seem to abuse my generosity of time. I wish they change.
@rinzgca (316)
• Philippines
26 Mar 10
I know the feeling. I also have a hard time saying no. If I know I will make a friend or a person sad if I say no, I wont say it. Even if I'll be burdened. But I think I came to a point where I realized that sometimes, it's okay to say no. No to some favors, no to some work. This is because sometimes, you are being taken advantage of. If that's the case, you definitely should say no. Especially if the person is a dear friend because in that way, you can teach the friend to be a better person by not making advantage of other people. Also, in your case, you can teach your friend to be more organized with her stuff. You could have some bonding time with her by offering to help clean her house as an advantage. There are definitely stuff there she doesn't need. Another reason why you should learn to say no is that it's also for yourself. Sometimes, it isn't right anymore that you are the one suffering because suddenly you have more load than what you're supposed to have. If your friend is truly a friend, he will understand your situation.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Mar 10
I agree.. and I really have taken some steps to saying "no" when that is the response necessary. I become so afraid of hurting people, I end up hurting myself.
@jinjer168 (1596)
• Philippines
26 Mar 10
Yes i am a person that really worries about hurting other peple's feeling. I am like this because of the influence of my mother who really didn't wanted to hurt others as well. But in your case, i think its ok to tell her in your most discreet way to explain why its not fine for your friend to live with your family because she has her own in the first place. If you will be honest i think she will understand...
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Mar 10
Sometimes people who have good parents who teach them never to hurt are afraid to hurt another and some times people who have known suffering don't want to hurt people too: they don't want others to suffer because they have known suffering and pain themselves.
@sukumar794 (5040)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
25 Mar 10
As regards me. it is really a sin hurting others' feelings.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Mar 10
So ..what you are saying ..to you..if a person's feelings is hurt because of you: it's a sin? so if you tell a person ..don't do that..it is wrong.. and they are hurt by your warning..you think it is a sin? I don't think you understand the question.
• China
25 Mar 10
Don't make that thing as a pressure,i think many persons has suffered from that situation,in fact,saying"no"is truly more difficult than saying"yes",especilly the target who you want to deny is an aquaintance!So just distinguish whether the situation is in the range of your tolerant,if not,saying "no",it is not worh hesitating!
• United States
25 Mar 10
Very good advice.. For me, however, I have it in me that I don't want to hurt someone..I internalize the emotions of others and sometimes fear saying something that I can visualize hurting them.. I end up carrying the hurt myself..because I don't say the things I need to..so I must toughen up and speak out.