A few questions of etiquette

[j4]

How do you explain to somebody that other people get hurt too, when they appear to experience selfhood as an island of victimised perfection in a sea of irrelevance and stupidity?

Is it okay to break a confidence if somebody's only asking you to keep it secret so that they can carry on manipulating you while simultaneously preventing you from asking your friends for support?

How do you tell somebody politely "Please stop fucking up the lives of my friends"?

Comments

[j4.livejournal.com]

1) Ah. So it's more or less a lost cause, then?

2) Thank you. I'm reassured to know that you agree with me. I trust your judgement on matters like this.

3. See response to Someone, above -- some degree of politeness is indicated for the sake of self-preservation.

On a more frivolous note, I love the user-icon. :)

[rysmiel.livejournal.com]

1) Ah. So it's more or less a lost cause, then?

Not knowing the specific situation, I can't say. By comparison with most people I do seem to be rather optimistic on this.

2) Thank you. I'm reassured to know that you agree with me. I trust your judgement on matters like this.

My judgement on matters like this is way the heck situation-dependent; would be happy to take this to mail if it would be any use to you.

And thank you. *hug* For several reasons, not all of which are easy to fit in words and not all of which are suitable for posting, that thought is really good for me.

3. See response to Someone, above -- some degree of politeness is indicated for the sake of self-preservation.

Retaining the moral high ground, in that sense, is not always and necessarily compatible with either being right or getting a message across. Sometimes these are greater virtues. Again, situational.

On a more frivolous note, I love the user-icon.

Thought you might.