Need a "diagnosis" for a person

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by euroshine

Here we go again.

Lets label someone as being weird, or crazy, or off, than advertise it to the world. After all, you are better than that person, right? Lets find a "diagnosis"for that person.

I think you might be over thinking things.

Thank you for the insight. You're a shining star.

[Squirl]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

The whole mantra seems to be avoiding the unpleasant:
- changing the subject
- ignoring the obvious
- minimalizing / deflecting
- "oh, that happened, or is happening, to (name of person), too"
- unable to say something bad about someone
- changing facts/white lies

What's the deal here? What does this result from?

Sounds cultural to me. When I first met my Southern Baptist in-laws, I would have used your list to describe my MIL, and actually most of the family. Over the years, much of your list holds for many people in who grew up in the South.

Here's what I have found:

Changing the subject: That's redirection and a technique applied when someone doesn't chose you to share their feelings with you or doesn't want to confront you on the inappropriate (in their opinion) topic

Ignoring the obvious: see above

Minimalizing/deflection: see above

Oh, that happened....: see above

unable to say something bad: if they say "Bless her/his heart" that's about the same as saying "S/he is an idiot:

Changing facts: same as changing the subject only you have pushed them into a corner and they now have to come out kicking in some way