Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Ah, the joys of living in a social world. It makes us do a lot of things we don't want to, "just to get along." There's a person in my extended friendship circle whom I no longer like. I'll call her Jeanette. We ran into her unexpectedly the other day, and after we finished talking to her, my wife told me I looked like I was sucking on a lemon during our conversation. She told me I didn't pretend to like her well enough, that I looked like I couldn't stand to be there, and that I had a duty to at least fake it a little bit, because we're in the position of encountering her often in our lives and we have to get along. I was mad. Why do I have to fake liking a person? But OK. Staying happily married is important, so I can do this. But how? How do you pretend to like someone?
It might help to know why she fell out of favor. It isn't politics or religion, is it?
I suggest you use as few words as possible when talking to the person and always keep it professional. Other than that, go back and watch the past three presidential and primary debates. You may pick up a few pointers there.
You don't have to go all out and pretend that you like the person. Just smile and be civil when you encounter her, and that should be enough to keep the peace.
It might help to know why she fell out of favor. It isn't politics or religion, is it?
No. It's the woman we used to hang out with who talks constantly about herself and doesn't even pretend to be interested in other people's lives. When she ditched a mutual friend we really like in favor of another person we can't stand, I found myself liking her even less due to having to hang around this obnoxious person as well. When she starts talking, I totally tune out and my smile disappears.
I don't pretend to like people I dislike. There's no point in it. I'm not saying be rude or nasty, but I won't go out of my way and put on a show for them.
Ah, the joys of living in a social world. It makes us do a lot of things we don't want to, "just to get along." There's a person in my extended friendship circle whom I no longer like. I'll call her Jeanette. We ran into her unexpectedly the other day, and after we finished talking to her, my wife told me I looked like I was sucking on a lemon during our conversation. She told me I didn't pretend to like her well enough, that I looked like I couldn't stand to be there, and that I had a duty to at least fake it a little bit, because we're in the position of encountering her often in our lives and we have to get along. I was mad. Why do I have to fake liking a person? But OK. Staying happily married is important, so I can do this. But how? How do you pretend to like someone?
It's not hard to offer a smile to anyone, no matter how much you might despise them. A smile isn't an affirmation or an endorsement -- it's simply a reflection of your own peace with the world. Just smile. You can chat with anyone for 3 minutes.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
