When Friends Hurt: What to Do When Someone Close Says the Wrong Thing

The Situation

• A woman in New York is grappling with a friend who consistently makes hurtful remarks.
• She has lost 50 pounds and is managing her health better, but her friend still makes insensitive comments.
• The friend suggested that her weight might be causing her sciatica and arthritis, which the woman found disrespectful.
• The friend also made a thoughtless remark when the woman was grieving the loss of another friend.

The Dilemma

• The woman is unsure how to handle this situation.
• She wants to stand up for herself but doesn't want to be aggressive.
• She wonders if she should confront her friend or just move on.
• She asks if there is a clever way to shut down her friend's comments.

The Options

1. Confront the Friend

   • Tell her that her comments are hurtful.
   • Give her a chance to change her behavior.

2. Move On

   • Decide that the friendship isn't worth the trouble.
   • Remember that friends should support each other, not make things harder.