Have you observed how, happiness makes us insensitive? Like when you were happy, you couldn't comprehend or were patient enough to hear out or really feel for someone who's in not so great state?
Men are so tiresome. They never pay attention when you say "I need to talk". I mean just the other day, I had something of great importance to discuss with Dad. So, I sat down next to him on the couch while he was watching TV, Me : "Dad, I need your honest feedback. Are you listening? Dad [with full attention]: "Yeah what is it?" Me : "Well this thought has been troubling me for a bit, for a while actually. You know, like I am so totally in a dilemma. You could actually say its a sorta like a conundrum, but then its kinda bizarre. But whatever. I mean, I have been seriously thinking that I shouldn't do it. But then there are various reasons why I haven't totally written it off yet……[noticing that Dad's eyes were wavering back to the TV, so poking him] Dad are you listening ? Dad [guiltily]: Yeah. Something is bothering you. Me: Yeah so I was wondering if I should blah…blah…blah…yada...yada...yada. So you tell me, should I get my
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wat happened to u?
Ange - Contradict away. Honestly :-) We always had those long 4 hour conversations, remember? I think u belong to the other half of the population. No, actually u are a minority. I have often found people like me - insensitive when happy. Yes, there is another group which is insensitve when they are depressed. I guess thats where u fit.
in my case, think its self-absorbed.
you - i think detached.
I agree and disagree with you (hah! u need an mba to come up with statements like this).
Happiness does not make us insensitive. But euphoria does (but euphoria is shortlived).
Nor does suffering make us more tuned to distress in others. Point being, empathy is not necessarily a function of one's state of mind.