Message #46566

[uberpa]

laura, I don't know if you know about meyers-briggs or if you do believe in it.  I do.  It sounds like the people you mentioned probably had F in their personality ie they are emotional which means their reactions are closer to the surface.  I often find that T, people who are less outwardly emotionally reactive, sometimes don't know what to  do when faced with a crier or someone having an emotional outburst.  The answer is you really don't have to do anything.  Someone who is an F is quite acustomed to having emotional reactions and then getting over it (well they are at least used to having the reaction getting over it is something else all together) but it doesn't really require someone to do anything.  At least that is how I feel about myself as an F.

I might cry because my emotions are very close to the surface and in my world you let your emotions out.  However, I don't need other people around me to say or do anything except let me have my emotions and deal with it.  Yes a hug or some kind words are nice and can be comforting but not always needed.  Actually no reaction from others helps me get over my outburst that much quicker instead of indulging in it.

I'm really saying this to relieve you of any guilt or anxiety over not knowing what to do in that situation.  Yes some people might see it as cold hearted but when it's business related it's probably best not to get too involved when you have to handle a stressful situation.