• magnetosphere@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    69
    arrow-down
    3
    ·
    1 year ago

    I’m usually ready to laugh at this asshole, but if he has a drug problem, then I pity him.

    Important note: pity and sympathy are similar, but not the same thing.

      • jopepa@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        14
        ·
        1 year ago

        I used to work with this mean miserable guy and there were so many times a lot of us would try to cheer him up. Share food, invite to after work drinks, movies, concerts, just include him. He never took anyone up on it, ever. After a friend of mine left that job and confronted him about his shitty attitude and self alienation, he just said, “I don’t want your pity.”

        Ironically, after I heard that I stopped sympathizing and did just pity the guy.

        • ashok36@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          7
          arrow-down
          6
          ·
          1 year ago

          Maybe he just didn’t want to hang out with you guys and had a perfectly fine life outside of work. Crazy, I know.

          • jopepa@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            13
            ·
            1 year ago

            I sincerely hope he does, but I think it’s pretty sad that someone conflates kindnesses with pity.

          • Pips@lemmy.sdf.org
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            1 year ago

            I often don’t want to hang out with coworkers. I just politely decline if asked affirmatively. There’s no reason to decline and say, “I don’t want your pity” since I assume they’re just to be inclusive and friendly. I know a lot of people on here have a hard work/life separation, but you do have to exist with your coworkers for some portion of your life. Might as well make interactions with them pleasant.

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        1 year ago

        I can do both. I pity the sad man who is addicted to drugs, but also he’s a fascist campaigning for human suffering and I hate that about him.